Former Grimsby Town manager Mike Newell is back in football as he makes the move over to Ireland.
The 55-year-old has been named as the new assistant manager of Waterford, with the League of Ireland Premier Division side announcing his appointment along with new manager Kevin Sheedy.
Newell had been out of work since leaving his role as assistant manager at Wrexham in February 2019, following the sacking of Graham Barrow.
The former Everton striker is of course well-remembered by Mariners fans, but not for the right reasons.
Having avoided relegation during the 2008/09 season, Newell and his side found themselves mired in another battle the following campaign, and he was dismissed from his role in October 2009, with Town going on to suffer relegation to non-league.
His time in charge has also become infamous for the chaotic way in which the team was run, with former defender Paul Linwood lifting the lid on the drinking culture that was prevalent at the time.
Newell went without a job in football after his time at Blundell Park until he was appointed as a coach at Accrington Stanley in 2014, before leaving the Lancashire club in 2016.
He then made the move over to Saudi Arabia, becoming head of football for Pro League side Al-Shabab – a role which he held for over a year.
He made his return to the UK in 2018, and was named Barrow’s assistant at Wrexham in December that year following the departure of Sam Ricketts to Shrewsbury.
His time in Wales didn’t last long though, and two days after Barrow’s sacking in February 2019, Newell also left the club my mutual consent.
He’s now set to assist former Everton and Newcastle midfielder Sheedy – who worked as a youth team coach during Newell’s time with Al-Shabab – as Waterford prepare for the 2021 season in Ireland.
