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McGreal Rejoins Town in Coaching Role
Thursday, 2nd Dec 2021 11:10

Former Blues centre-half John McGreal has returned to the club in a role coaching the U23s and development squads.

The 49-year-old was with the Blues between 1999 and 2004 and was a member of the team which won promotion to the Premier League at Wembley in 2000 and finished fifth in the top flight the following season, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

McGreal is a close friend of manager Paul Cook from their days at Tranmere together and has been spotted at games and around the training ground on a number of occasions in recent months, which led to speculation that he might join the club as assistant manager.

The Liverpudlian joined Swindon as manager in the summer but left after only a month. Previously he spent four years as manager of Colchester.

Town’s new director of football operations, Gary Probert, told the club site: "We are delighted to welcome John to the club.

“His role will be supporting Kieron Dyer with the U23s, with a real focus on working with individual players alongside their development plans. John knows the club well and brings a wealth of experience to our set-up.”


Photo: Action Images



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MaySixth added 11:13 - Dec 2
Great appointment.
Potential assistant manager?
13

OldTimer2 added 11:17 - Dec 2
Potential replacement manager ?
8

Bazza8564 added 11:18 - Dec 2
Im hoping this is to allow KD to get his health sorted and to take some pressure off him, its a good appointment and hopefully will add a bit all round as MaySixth mentions
6

rickw added 11:18 - Dec 2
Sounds like a replacement for Terry Butcher - I guess he just wasn't Scouse enough!!
4

tractorboybig added 11:21 - Dec 2
should of come as manager
0

pennblue added 11:26 - Dec 2
Forget the U23's, he needs to sort out our 1st team defence and see if we can get 10 clean sheets in a row.
26

trncbluearmy added 11:26 - Dec 2
Initially thought this a strange appointment as he should be assistant manager but as previous poster said taking pressure of and supporting KD makes sense at the moment

Anyway great to have a well respected ex player back who offers a good level of managerial experience
12

MrJase_79 added 11:31 - Dec 2
Interesting timing.
2

CraigEdwards added 11:33 - Dec 2
As defensive coach !!!
4

KenHancocksBoot added 11:37 - Dec 2
Surely he should be working with the first team which is where he's needed most! Good appointment though
22

BaddowBlue1 added 11:38 - Dec 2
Welcome aboard John! When playing was a great defensive organiser, while he is supporting Kierran D I would hope that Cookie gives him an opportunity to work with our first team back four as I am sure we would see a much tighter and organised defence.
11

TimmyH added 11:46 - Dec 2
Rather see him in a role for the defense of our 1st team...forget the under 23's
15

grubbyoik added 11:51 - Dec 2
Fantastic appointment.. finally somebody coaching at the club with experience... Put him in charge of 1st team defence..
11

itfc58 added 11:55 - Dec 2
Good luck John hopefully you can teach that other one trick pony a thing or two before he completely blows the best chance of success we are ever likely to get. We are lucky enough to have a big and strong enough squad to field two different teams that should easily compete in this league. Just we are unlucky to have a clueless excuse of a manager that refuses to change his ideas no matter what. Cook the clown needs replacing now and I never want to hear his stupid voice muttering sh1t again!
2

spanishblue added 12:05 - Dec 2
One of our first team coaches was a kit man at Wigan say no more smoke & screen fit well
-2

DaGremloid added 12:06 - Dec 2
I was interested by this appointment at first. Until I read he's a close friend of Cook's...
-2

OwainG1992 added 12:17 - Dec 2
I was hoping this said as assistant manager myself.
But his knowledge and experience will be invaluable at Portman Road and on the training pitches.
Why the hate for Cook on the back of this post?
We're out of the mickey mouse cup.
So be it.
1

Stato added 12:23 - Dec 2
Personally I would prefer to see the academy upgraded then endless new joiners to our backroom staff. Especially as no sign of improvement in fitness, conditioning or any other aspect of those brought in with specific results and surely makes it more difficult to cut ties with Cook if 6,7,8 staff all his his favoured appointments.
0

PortmanTerrorist added 12:34 - Dec 2
Would have said McGreal was a great appointment, even as Manager, but knowing he is a mate of PC makes my heart sink. John has a decent football brain and understands our Club, so just hope his own voice is not lost in amongst all the other scouse voices around the Club.
1

JimmyP45 added 12:50 - Dec 2
Hope he isn't just for the u23's and development. All these first team coaches and not one defensive minded. We bring in a defender as a coach and he is nowhere near the first team which is much needed.
8

BLUEBEAT added 12:51 - Dec 2
Very pleased.
4

ChantryParkBlue added 12:56 - Dec 2
He was an intelligent defender who played well for us and contributed to our success. He has management experience and appears to have a good relationship with Paul Cook. Looks to be a good appointment.
4

Cloddyseedbed added 12:56 - Dec 2
Get rid of Peter Reid and make McGreal assistant manager, Cook seems to need all the help he can get. McGreal is a top bloke and I'm glad he is back at our club.
7

BlueBlood90 added 13:17 - Dec 2
Makes sense. A lot more sense than having an ex-England striker (Franny Jeffers) operating as our defensive coach!
12

ArnieM added 13:22 - Dec 2
Shows me that this Club is continuing to build the club , on and off the pitch . I don't think it'll be long b4 he'll be involved at first team level.
3


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