After Steven Schumacher was confirmed as the new Bolton Wanderers manager this week, the newly appointed gaffer has now revealed the backroom staff that will be joining him.
The former Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle and Southport boss was announced on Thursday evening, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal with Bolton after being dismissed from his role in Staffordshire back in September after just nine months in charge.
Once a midfielder himself (having played for both Oldham and Bury), the 40-year-old’s dismissal earlier this season was seen as premature by many at the time, but now Schumacher is back in the dugout and will lead his Bolton squad for the first time this Saturday, 1 February against 10th placed Reading.
Caretaker trio Julian Darby (ex-Leeds United assistant), retired Sheffield United defender Andy Taylor and player-coach Andrew Tutte had been put in charge for the interim, however, Schumacher has now named the key figures among his first-team staff.
Announced on Friday (31 Jan), Schumacher’s former right-hand man at both Stoke and Plymouth, Mark Hughes, will be joined by fellow coach Richie Kyle, who was last employed at second divison side and recent Premier League promotees, Luton Town, where he served as assistant manager.
The latter will take up the same role at the Toughsheet Stadium while Hughes will be third in charge as Assistant Coach. Speaking in an official club statement, manager Schumacher said: “I’m delighted to have made Mark and Richie my first two appointments since joining the club.
“They are going to be very important additions, alongside the staff already here, who I know will make a huge contribution to the work we plan to do.
“I have worked closely with Mark for a number of years and know exactly the impact he will have on the squad in implementing our plans and I’m looking forward to now working with Richie as someone who brings so much knowledge and coaching experience from a high level to us.
“I know they will both settle in and make a positive impact straightaway as we work together to build on what we have here and move the team forward.”
The trifecta of new hires come just over a week after previous head coach Ian Evatt left by ‘mutual agreement’ following nearly half a decade in charge of the Whites, having lifted them back from the precipice of non-league and winning the EFL Trophy in 2023.
As for his replacement, Schumacher said of his next challenge: “This means everything to me. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m really grateful to be given it by [chairman] Sharon [Brittan] and the ownership group.
“It’s a fantastic club with a rich history and the journey and the project here is something I can’t wait to get involved with. It’s been an interesting career journey for me so far and I’m now at a fantastic club, a club which I believe can go on and do great things this season and in the future.”
Meanwhile, while it remains unclear exactly what the future holds for Darby, it is likely Taylor and Tutte’s will continue in their roles overseeing the B-team.
The club have also been sure to keep the positive news coming as they prepare to enter a new month and a fresh chafter after also confirming another attacking signing before deadline day, with Cardiff’s 6’6″ striker Kion Etete joining on loan for the rest of the season – their third deal of the January window.
Kolo Touré joins Manchester City’s backroom staff on a permanent basis
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool defender, Kolo Touré, has now permanently re-joined the club as a first-team coach.
The retired centre-back, who finished his career at Scottish giants Celtic FC before hanging up his boots back in 2017 and becoming part of their backroom staff, has been working with Man City as part of the FIFA Club World Cup set-up.
Having clearly impressed on the road, not to mention having spent last season as Assistant Lead Coach alongside U18s boss Oliver Reiss – with the youth side winning the Premier League North title – the 44-year-old has now been given an assistant coaching job with the senior squad on a full-time basis.
Announced on Tuesday, 15 July, ahead of City’s pre-season tour getting underway next month, Kolo Touré is the latest among multiple recent appointments to manager Pep Guardiola’s ranks.
Hailing from the Ivory Coast and having enjoyed a career spanning more than 15 years, he’s considered one of the greatest African players of all time, so it’s no question that he brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role.
Touré, who made more than a century of appearances for the Blues, began his coaching journey with the national team before assisting Brendan Rodgers at both Celtic and Leicester City.
He also spent a rather short spell at another Greater Manchester side, being made head coach of Wigan Athletic in November 2022.
But it wasn’t to be…
The older brother of fellow City club legend, Yaya, was ultimately sacked around two months later (just 59 days, to be exact) after having failed to win a single fixture in his first name games in charge.
Kolo Touré taking instructions from Pep, the chemistry’s taking shape. Brilliant to see Kolo soaking it all in from the very best. He’s here for the long haul, man. You can feel it. pic.twitter.com/RscM9rg0GS
Commenting on Toure’s appointment as first-team assistant coach, Director of Football Hugo Viana said in an official club statement: “We’re delighted to permanently add Kolo to our first team coaching staff.
“Not only does he bring his immensely precious experience at football’s elite level, but he also has a deep connection with Manchester City and a deep knowledge of the Club.
“We’ve also been hugely impressed with his work and success with our Under-18s, and by adding him to our senior staff permanently, this will only strengthen the transition for players in our Academy into the first team.
“As we already saw throughout his time with Pep Guardiola, Pep Lijnders and James French this summer, his massive personality of optimism and positivity is hugely infectious and we’re already looking forward to his work moving forward.”
In case you were unfamiliar with the latter two names, you’ll find all you need to know down below.
England cricket legend Sir James Anderson joins Manchester Originals for The Hundred 2025
Danny Jones
England and Lancashire County Cricket (LCC) legend Sir James, a.k.a. ‘Jimmy’ Anderson, has officially signed for Manchester Originals ahead of this year’s The Hundred campaign.
What a statement from the Greater Manchester side.
Now 42, the knight of The Oval and the realm is in the twilight of his career, but you’ll struggle to find many others of his ability and sheer amount of experience anywhere else in the competition.
Selected by Manchester Originals as their wildcard pick for the 2025 tournament, Anderson is set to become the second-oldest pro to ever play in the history of The Hundred.
The fast-paced cricket format only began back in 2021, but has quickly gone on to become a fan favourite, with sell-out games over at the Emirates Old Trafford and, indeed, up and down the country.
Roping in veterans like the much-loved Northern lad will only help bring more eyes to the games.
With more than 400 career appearances and nearly 1,000 wickets at international level alone over the course of more than two and a half decades in the sport, they don’t get much more iconic than Jimmy Anderson – it’s a big coup for Manchester Originals.
As mentioned, while the Lancashire-born bowler’s time in international whites may have come to an end, as well as serving as a key Roses mentor, he’s still an LCC star. Representing Lancashire Lightning in the year’s T20 Blast, ‘The Burnley Express’ has already claimed 14 wickets in his first eight matches.
Discussing his impending debut, the ‘King of the Swing’ said: “I’m really looking forward to The Hundred, and I’m really happy to be part of the Manchester Originals squad. I’ve loved my time with Lancashire this season, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to add value in The Hundred.”
“It’s a competition I’ve really enjoyed watching. When you’re at the games, you can really see that it does attract a slightly different crowd, a lot of younger people and families, and you can’t underestimate how important that is for our game. I can’t wait to get out there.”
The first lot of Hundred fixtures get underway on Tuesday, 5 August, with the first home match at Old Trafford Cricket Ground welcoming the toss the following day (Wed, 6 Aug).
You see the rest of The Hundred 2025 wildcard draft picks in full HERE.
Danny Jones -
31st January 2025 
