Holdsworth returns as new director of football

By David Watters

Brentwood Town

Former PFA chairman Dean Holdsworth is back in the Ryman League after being named as the new director of football at Brentwood Town.

The 46-year-old former Wimbledon, Bolton and Brentford player, pictured, was unveiled by the Blues at lunchtime on Thursday.

Holdsworth's first task will be to help chairman Brian Hallett appoint a new head coach as the successor to former joint managers Adam Flanagan and Danny Dafter following their departure from the Ryman North club in May.

Hallett told the Brentwood Gazette: "I think he is the right person to take us forward. He will get people in the town interested in the club.

"He has played at the top level and managed in the Football League. He is very highly qualified, he has a full pro coaching licence but he's not going to come in as manager.

"He will be director of football and will have a head coach and work with the coaches we've got here."

The Blues chairman added: "He's interested in the club and our plans to develop in the future. We're right on the M25 and the town is big enough to support something bigger and he sees that."

Holdsworth kicked off his managerial career in the Ryman at Redbridge back in 2008 before leaving a year later to take over at Newport County in the Football Conference.

In his second season in South Wales he guided them to the Conference South title with 28 points to spare. In January 2011 he took charge at League Two Aldershot Town until February 2013 before his last spell in management at Conference South Chelmsford City two years ago ended in May 2013.

Image courtesy of www.thefa.com

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