Huddersfield Town beat off rival interest to appoint Sheffield United stalwart Alan Knill
HUDDERSFIELD Town have appointed vastly-experienced former Sheffield United number two Alan Knill as their new assistant head coach.
Town had been keen to bring in a senior figure to work alongside head coach Martin Drury and the arrival of Knill fulfils that criteria.
Knill, 61, left Bramall Lane in a shock development earlier this summer.
It split up one of the most successful managerial double-acts over the past decade in Yorkshire, with Knill having successfully worked in tandem with Chris Wilder as his right-hand man for the past decade in three spells at Bramall Lane, alongside brief stints together at Middlesbrough and Watford.
The former Rotherham United joint-manager and Halifax defender was widely credited for his tactical input during United's rise to the Premier League in 2018-19, with the duo enjoying dual promotion highs during their first golden spell at United, who also went agonisingly close to a return to the top-flight in their second stint at the helm in 2024-25.
Wilder and Knill returned to the club for a third time last September. The pair first joined forces on the managerial front at Bury, where Wilder initially served as Knill's number two before a role reversal.
Town sporting director Chris Markham commented: "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.”
Starting work at Canalside with immediate effect, Knill completes Drury’s coaching staff alongside fellow coaches Jon Stead and Dale Tonge, with Chris Elliott operating as head of goalkeeping.
Knill also has experience as assistant manager for Wales between 2021 to 2024 under Rob Page.
Town head coach Drury added: "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.”