On Monday afternoon Sky Bet Championship side Bristol City confirmed former Saddler Dean Holden as their new Head Coach, following the departure of long-serving boss Lee Johnson in early July.
Swinton-born Holden, a former defender who made over 360 league appearances over a sixteen year professional career, will be assisted by the highly-experienced Keith Downing and Paul Simpson as he looks to secure a long-term role following caretaker spells with the Robins and Oldham Athletic, whom he'd also briefly managed following Lee Johnson's departure in February 2015.
The forty-year-old made twenty-nine league appearances during a two-season spell with the Saddlers between 2012 and 2014 before retiring in order to concentrate upon his coaching career.
Along with the Saddlers Dean's playing career saw him turn out for Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United, Falkirk, Shrewsbury Town, Chesterfield and Rochdale providing him with a wealth of experience as he looks to make in impact at Ashton Gate.
We would like to wish Dean all the very best as he begins to prepare his side for the 2020/21 campaign.