Tom Huddlestone only left Manchester United over the summer but has already found himself another new job just months after his Old Trafford exit.
The notion of a player-coach signed specifically as an overage player in development games is a fairly new one.
Manchester United made a first move into this area in 2021, re-signing former defender Paul McShane in a dual playing and coaching role.
The idea was for McShane to take steps in his coaching journey whilst offering an experienced player around young stars during Under-21 games.
McShane only played for a year before becoming United’s Professional Development Phase, but United were clearly happy with how the idea played out.
United have just signed Tommy Rowe in a similar role with the former United talent – who played under Sir Alex Ferguson’s son Darren at Peterborough United and Doncaster Rovers – arriving at the age of 35.
Tom Huddlestone on the move again
Rowe has been brought to United as a replacement for Tom Huddlestone.
Eyebrows were raised outside of United when Huddlestone joined in 2022, but he was clearly signed to replace McShane.
Huddlestone was a Premier League regular with Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City whilst even picking up four caps for England.
The former midfielder spent two years playing for United’s Under-21’s as an overage player whilst also performing coaching duties.
Huddlestone left United over the summer though and moved to Wigan Athletic, assisting his former Hull teammate Shaun Maloney.
Just over two months on, Huddlestone is already on the move again having joined Wigan’s League One rivals Birmingham City.
Birmingham have lost Ashley Cole to the England setup and Huddlestone has now stepped in to become the new assistant to boss Chris Davies.
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Huddlestone praised after joining Birmingham
This is the next step in Huddlestone’s coaching development and Birmingham appear to be delighted with the deal.
Davies has praised Huddlestone as an ‘excellent coach’ and believes that he will provide valuable experience from his playing days.
“Tom is an excellent coach and a great addition to our First Team Staff as we look to build on our start to the 2024/25 season,” said Davies on Birmingham’s official website.
“He has vast playing experience, which has been added to by coaching roles he has held with both club and international teams. This will provide a different dynamic to the group and I expect the squad to feed off his knowledge of the game.
“We are all looking forward to working with him and wish him every success at Birmingham City,” he added.
The big-spending Blues are chasing promotion back to the Championship and Huddlestone will hope to play a key role in a promotion-winning campaign.
Huddlestone is still only 37 but has now coached United’s development ranks and is into his second role in League One.
A future as a manager may be on the horizon for Huddlestone and his development as a coach at United has certainly played a key role in his rise.
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