Leeds United confirm Kelly as assistant coach

Leeds United’s search for a new assistant to help head coach Uwe Rosler is over after former Leicester City manager Rob Kelly was officially confirmed by the club today.
Rob KellyRob Kelly
Rob Kelly

Kelly. 50, has signed a two-year contract as assistant boss at Elland Road, becoming the first addition to Rosler’s backroom team with more to come in the next few weeks.

As a player, Kelly played for Leicester City, Tranmere Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burton Albion before being forced to retire at the age of just 24 due to a back injury.

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He took up coaching and now has a wealth of experience, including spending 15 months as manager of Leicester until April 2007, as well as having caretaker manager spells at Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and West Brom after initially assisting at each club.

His most recent role came at West Brom and, after assisting former head coach Alan Irvine at the Hawthorns, Kelly took charge of the Baggies’ 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham earlier this year.

Head coach Rosler has welcomed the appointment of Kelly.

He told www.leedsunited.com: “I felt it would be very good to have such an experienced coach like Rob next to me.

“He’s been in this league for many, many years. He’s been in the Premier League. He knows this league in and out and he knows the players in and out.

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“We’ve known each other for a while and I think it’s a good option. He’s the second man in command and he’ll be influential in the day-to-day running of our team. He’ll be important in terms of matchdays and he’ll be my close ally.”