Wright set for Latics coach role

PLENTY TO SHOUT ABOUT: the Chronicle understands Tommy Wright discussed personal terms with Athletic last night.

TOMMY Wright is set to make a return to Athletic’s dug-out alongside manager Lee Johnson after a five-year absence.

The Chronicle understands the Scot (48) spent last night talking personal terms on a move that would see him become a member of the coaching staff, initially until the end of the season.

It will be a fourth stint at Boundary Park for Wright, who spent three years working as John Sheridan’s right-hand man, as well as two earlier periods as a player.

“I know Tommy well from Chesterfield and I know just what an affinity he has for this club, too,” Johnson told the Chronicle.

“I want to see if we can both get on, in a football sense, and if we can be cohesive in our football philosophies.”

Johnson worked under assistant boss Wright at the Spireites in a three-month loan spell in 2011, when Sheridan was in charge at the Proact Stadium.

In that season, Chesterfield achieved promotion from League Two and won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy - knocking out Athletic along the way.

After Sheridan was sacked, Wright took over as caretaker and won four of 11 games before being passed over for the full-time role. He left last April.

Johnson views the ex-Leeds, Leicester, Middlesbrough and Bradford winger as a suitable replacement for Bobby Mimms, who has left Athletic to work for the Bahrain national team as a goalkeeping coach.

“Bobby was a goalkeeping coach but in reality he was offering much more,” Johnson added.

While hoping Wright will be involved in the game against Gillingham on Saturday, one man who won’t play a part is captain Korey Smith. The good news is his swollen knee should keep him out for only a couple of weeks