Harrison named Coventry assistant

Steve Harrison (right), in his days at Boro under Steve McClaren

Coventry City manager Chris Coleman has brought in vastly experienced Steve Harrison as his new number two.

Former England coach Harrison, 56, has come in to replace the outgoing Steve Kean, having signed a two-year deal to become Coleman's assistant manager.

Harrison has been out of football since ending his seven-year stay with Middlesbrough a year ago.

Blackpool-born Harrison first worked with Coleman in his days on the coaching staff at Crystal Palace.

His playing career started with seven years at his home town club Blackpool before a move to Graham Taylor's Watford in 1978 via Vancouver Whitecaps. And he ended his career at Charlton in 1982.

After joining Taylor's coaching staff at Watford, he followed him to Aston Villa.

He returned to Watford in January 1988, spending two seasons manager at Vicarage Road.

STEVE HARRISON

Born Blackpool, Boxing Day 1952

Played for Blackpool, Vancouver Whitecaps, Watford, Charlton Athletic

Managed Watford (Jan 1988-March 1990)

Coached: Watford, Villa, England, Wolves, Millwall, Palace, Preston, Middlesbrough

But the larger than life, always popular character has always done his best work behind the scenes and he rejoined Taylor, working for him with England and latterly to Wolves.

He also had coaching jobs at Millwall, Palace, and Preston before returning to work for Villa under John Gregory.

He was then lured to Teesside in July 2001 by new Boro boss Steve McClaren, along with a clutch of fellow Villa workmates, including Gareth Southgate.

After helping first McClaren and then latterly Southgate establish Boro as a Premier League force, he left the Riverside last summer as a result of health problems.

But, after a year out of the game, he was Coleman's first choice to succeed Kean.