Perfect fit at a great club, says Holden

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 21 November 2014


DEAN Holden could hardly have been better prepared for his new life with Athletic.

The 35 year old finally landed at SportsDirect.com Park late last week as the club’s new first-team coach after a three-week chase - teaming him again with manager Lee Johnson, with whom he once played for Chesterfield.

Three years ago both worked under current Athletic assistant Tommy Wright, then right-hand man to John Sheridan. Holden has also accompanied Johnson up to Scotland over the past year as the duo progressed through coaching qualifications.

Worsley-based Holden also speaks to his predecessor, Hartlepool boss Paul Murray, several times a day.

But despite all that there was one side-effect of his new job the affable Holden hadn’t fully appreciated.

“All I have ever wanted to do was play football,” Holden said. “And it only really hit home when my brother asked if I was sure I was ready to never play again. It hadn’t really registered properly until he put it in those words. But this really was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“I’ve got a real passion for coaching. I can see why it isn’t for everyone, but I have loved every minute of it so far. For me it’s about passing on my experience to help players develop.”

Some might suggest he has taken an easier option, with a job closer to the family home. Holden completely refutes that.

Athletic are aiming high this season, he says, and as a member of what Johnson recently described as an “obsessed” backroom team, he has far from an easy life.

“The club is on my doorstep but that wasn’t a major factor in taking the job,” he added.

“If it had come up in London, say, then I would have been prepared to do it. You don’t retire from playing football just to be a bit closer to home. As it is, it’s a perfect fit at a great club.

“One Oldham fan down in Walsall was telling me about the sense of optimism here that hadn’t been present for a good few years. Now I’m here I can definitely see that.”