Holden lands at Latics

DEAN Holden is Athletic’s new first-team coach.

The 35-year-old’s departure from Walsall, where he combined duties as a player with a coaching role, was made official today.

He takes on the role left vacant by the loss of Paul Murray to Hartlepool, making a return to SportsDirect.com Park after a nine-year absence.

Salford-based Holden made more than 100 first-team appearances for Athletic after joining the club from Bolton, initially on loan, in 2001.

He has since played for Peterborough, Falkirk, Shrewsbury, Chesterfield, Rochdale and Walsall.

The Chronicle revealed last week that Holden was Athletic’s target to take on the job of first-team coach, which had been filled temporarily by Adam Lockwood.