Former Huddersfield man Steve Thompson appointed Neil Redfearn's assistant - leedsunited.com 18/12/14
Leeds United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Steve Thompson as the club’s new assistant head coach.
Steve joins Neil Redfearn’s backroom staff with immediate effect after signing a contract until the end of the season, with the option of a further year.
He arrives at Elland Road from Huddersfield Town, where he held the position of first-team coach under Chris Powell after initially assisting Mark Robins earlier this season.
Steve will be assisting on all first team matters, with his first game in the United dug-out coming away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Steve and Neil have known each other for over 30 years, having both started their professional careers together at Bolton Wanderers back in 1982.
The 50-year-old brings a wealth of experience having made over 650 senior appearances in a 20-year playing career before beginning his coaching career in 2005 with Blackpool as Head of the Youth Department.
He then worked as first-team coach under former United boss Simon Grayson, helping the Seasiders secure Championship promotion, before becoming assistant boss to Ian Holloway following Grayson’s move to Elland Road in 2008.
Steve is credited as playing a key role in Blackpool’s promotion to the Premier League in 2010, where he assisted Holloway throughout their season in the top-flight.
Redfearn said: "Steve comes with vast experience – a lot of experience in the Championship. He got promoted out of this division with Blackpool so he knows how to get out of it.
"From my point of view, and definitely from the players’ point of view, it’s another experienced pair of eyes and ears to help and work through the week.
"We can start concentrating on more specific areas of the side now. It’s important.
"He’s very bright and bubbly, he knows the game. He works the way I like.
"He understands about having to deal with the ball and play, he’s been brought up like that and was like that as a player.
"He’ll go straight down the same line of thinking. The message will be the same. It’s come at the right time and will just give everybody a lift."
Steve joins Neil Redfearn’s backroom staff with immediate effect after signing a contract until the end of the season, with the option of a further year.
He arrives at Elland Road from Huddersfield Town, where he held the position of first-team coach under Chris Powell after initially assisting Mark Robins earlier this season.
Steve will be assisting on all first team matters, with his first game in the United dug-out coming away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Steve and Neil have known each other for over 30 years, having both started their professional careers together at Bolton Wanderers back in 1982.
The 50-year-old brings a wealth of experience having made over 650 senior appearances in a 20-year playing career before beginning his coaching career in 2005 with Blackpool as Head of the Youth Department.
He then worked as first-team coach under former United boss Simon Grayson, helping the Seasiders secure Championship promotion, before becoming assistant boss to Ian Holloway following Grayson’s move to Elland Road in 2008.
Steve is credited as playing a key role in Blackpool’s promotion to the Premier League in 2010, where he assisted Holloway throughout their season in the top-flight.
Redfearn said: "Steve comes with vast experience – a lot of experience in the Championship. He got promoted out of this division with Blackpool so he knows how to get out of it.
"From my point of view, and definitely from the players’ point of view, it’s another experienced pair of eyes and ears to help and work through the week.
"We can start concentrating on more specific areas of the side now. It’s important.
"He’s very bright and bubbly, he knows the game. He works the way I like.
"He understands about having to deal with the ball and play, he’s been brought up like that and was like that as a player.
"He’ll go straight down the same line of thinking. The message will be the same. It’s come at the right time and will just give everybody a lift."