Huddersfield Town appoint Alan Knill to coaching staff

The richly-experienced coach has joined Martin Drury's backroom staff

Huddersfield Town have hired Alan Knill as the final appointment to Martin Drury’s coaching staff.

The 61 year old will bring his previous experience as a manager at Rotherham, Bury, Scunthorpe and Torquay. He has spent much of the past 12 years serving as a trusted assisted to Chris Wilder at Northampton, Middlesbrough, Watford, and two spells at Sheffield United, as well as working as assistant to Rob Page with Wales.

Head coach Drury said in a club statement: “Over the course of the summer I’ve had the opportunity to speak to a number of brilliant coaches whilst working with Chris, with the aim of building the right team around me.

“Throughout that period, appointing an experienced figure who would be able to challenge us in different ways, provide new perspectives on our players, working processes and possess the type of wisdom that only time allows was something I was adamant about and one I felt would add real value to us.

“Alan’s understanding of the game at all levels and the ability to help develop players of all ages was of huge interest for me. His record speaks for itself, but the aspects that most excite me are knowing the environments he’s worked in and helped to create during his career.

“He has helped form cultures that are built on high standards, no excuses and a committed approach to constant improvement, which is an area in which we are aligned. I’m delighted to have Alan alongside me and the rest of our staff, and to have added a key final piece to our team before the season begins.”

Sporting director Chris Markham added: “Martin and I have been aligned from minute one on how we envisaged the men’s first-team staff evolving this summer, and we’ve worked diligently together throughout the summer to achieve that.

“Early on in the process it became abundantly clear to us both that a greater variety of experience within the coaching staff would be beneficial, with Alan fast becoming the outstanding candidate for that position. With almost 900 games of coaching under his belt, Alan’s wealth of lived experience will prove invaluable for us over the course of a long season.

“One of the most highly respected coaches in the country, there has been interest in securing his services at all levels since his departure from Sheffield United, but the understanding between himself, Martin and the club couldn’t have been clearer right from our very first conversation.

“An important appointment to make whilst still in the thick of pre-season, we’re looking forward to working with Alan and couldn’t be happier to have him here at Town.”

What Alan Knill will bring to Huddersfield Town

Now a respected elder statesman of the game, Knill looks set to fulfil a similar role with the Terriers to the key part he played behind the scenes with Wilder and at Wales.

Over the years, Wilder has been effusive about the role that Knill played in helping Northampton and Sheffield United achieve three promotions in four years.