Blades add Jones to coaching team as Knill departs

Phil Jones left Sheffield United's Championship rivals Blackburn earlier this month [Getty Images] Sheffield United have announced a reshuffle of their coaching staff which has seen the arrival of former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones and the departure of long-term assistant boss Alan Knill. Jones, 34, moves to Bramall Lane as first-team coach after leaving Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers last week. He had joined the Ewood Park club in February as part of interim boss Michael O'Neill's coaching team. Knill has been boss Chris Wilder's assistant in all three of his spells with Sheffield United, as well as working with him at Northampton Town, Middlesbrough and Watford. His exit ends their association which stretches back to 2008 when Knill was manager at Bury. "My association with Alan goes back many years and he has been pivotal to the success we have had together," Wilder told the Blades website. "He's not only been a brilliant coach but also a great confidant. He departs with our gratitude and best wishes for the future." First-team coach Micky Collins has been promoted to assistant manager while Guilherme Ramos, who moved to the club when Wilder returned last September, is leaving. "Micky is someone who has really impressed me since I came back to the club," added Wilder. "He's followed the pathway from the U21s into the first team and has proved to be a talented coach who is deserving of some increased responsibility. "Phil is a young coach who has played under some of the very best and is now forging his own pathway in coaching. He's coming in tasked with helping throughout the team and he's already gained some great experience coaching in the academy at Manchester United and with the first team at Blackburn." Sheffield United finished 13th in the Championship last season, 13 points short of the play-off places. Latest Sheffield United news, analysis and fan views Get Sheffield United news sent straight to your phone