Steve Eyre says hard work will remain his priority as Huddersfield Town’s new first-team coach.
The 41-year-old former Rochdale manager and Manchester City coach is stepping up from his position as development team chief to work alongside manager Mark Robins and his new assistant Steve Thompson.
Head of sports science Allan Stewart and goalkeeping coach Nick Colgan will also be part of the new-look team at the helm.
And Salford-born Eyre, who was a key figure in the Manchester City youth system and has won acclaim for his work with Town’s Under 21s over the last two seasons, is looking forward to getting going.
“I’m an ambitious person, but I believe I can fulfil a lot of those ambitions here,” he explained.
“I know the club pretty much from top to bottom, having worked with the 18s as well as the 21s, helped out with the first team and been joint caretaker manager with Mark Lillis back in 2013.
“Hard work has always been my driving force, and I believe I have earned the right to have this enhanced role.
“I really enjoy being here, I’m settled and I’m ready to do what I can to help the manager progress the club further.”
Eyre, a one-time Burnley and Wigan youth player whose hopes of a top-level career were cut short by injury but who still made his mark on the Northern non-league scene, is proud of the five players who emerged from his guidance to make first-team debuts last season (Tommy Smith, Duane Holmes, Danny Carr, Harry Bunn and Phil Billing).
“We pretty much started from scratch with the 21s two years ago, and the aim was to put down a platform,” added Eyre, whose side have made the Professional Development League II play-offs in both his seasons at the helm, and were North section champions this year.
“We’ve had success with both the 18s and the 21s, and that’s important, because this club is all about continuity and pathways, for both players and staff.
“I think there is immense potential there, and I want to help develop it further.
“There will also be some new additions to the squad, and with the changes to the coaching set-up, it’s a bit of a new start.”
Eyre, who had 21 years on the City coaching staff, leading his charges to five junior titles and two FA Youth Cup final appearances, winning the competition in 2008, is looking forward to working with former Blackpool assistant manager Thompson.
“I’ve known Steve for a long time as a friend, and it will be good to be able to bounce ideas off each other,” he added.
“Obviously I’ve worked closely with the manager since he arrived (in February 2013) and I think we’ll be an effective group.
“I’m very grateful to (chairman) Dean Hoyle, (chief executive) Nigel Clibbens and (academy manager) Mark Lillis for their support.
“I believe I will learn each day from (football operations director) Ross Wilson and the manager, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Robins said: “Steve’s work as senior professional development coach over the last two seasons has been excellent.
“He guided the Under 21s to the title and bringing in a resilient and winning mentality, he helped develop a number of the club’s young professionals.”
Town will now look for a new development coach to replace Eyre.
Robins has restructured his backroom staff after the departures of first-team coach Steve Taylor and head of performance Darren Robinson.
While bringing in Thompson and Stewart, Town have promoted Colgan (from academy goalkeeping coach), Dan Hughes (from academy sports scientist to first-team strength and conditioning coach) and Stuart Heaviside (from academy sports science intern to academy lead sports scientist).
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