Manchester United have indicated that they have been impressed by the coaching skills of former player Dwight Yorke and even helped him land his first job in management.
The Red Devils have always shown a willingness to employ their former stars, with coaches such as Nicky Butt and Michael Carrick returning to the club after finishing their playing careers. And Yorke could be the next former pro to step into the Old Trafford dressing room as a coach in the future if things go his way.
He spent four years with the Red Devils, making 96 appearances for the club and scoring 48 goals, and ended his career back in 2009. More recently, the 50-year-old recently gained his coaching badges with the club and is about to take his first step into management with A-League side Macarthur FC.
Yorke has been appointed on a two-year deal to take charge after the deal was announced on Sunday morning. “Having played in the inaugural A-League Men’s season I have continually followed the competition and am aware of both the footballing and fan demands in Australia,” he said.
“I look forward to adding a positive contribution and improve the game at all levels, however of course my primary focus will be with the Bulls, to deliver them success and a style of football that defined me as a player.”
A report from the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that United recommended Yorke to Macarthur and suggested it was a good idea to take a chance on the unproven coach – and they were happy to oblige. "Dwight’s football exposure and achievements speak volumes,” Bulls chief executive Sam Krslovic said on the club's official website. “As a young club, the appointment of Dwight is synonymous with our evolution.”
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Yorke was the one of the first high-profile footballers to venture into Australian football when joined A-League outfit Sydney FC in 2005, and he will be returning to the area after Ante Milicic departed recently. The former Trinidad and Tobago international has been vocal in expressing how keen he was to become a manager, suggesting that the A-League was a great starting point for him.
It remains to be seen just how successful Yorke can become in management and whether he will find himself fielding offers from bigger clubs going forward if he impresses. His former United team-mates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham both made the step into management with mixed results, with the trend of former players moving into coaching roles now more common than ever.
While United supporters will be hoping that they won’t be calling for his help for quite a while, with their hopes pinned on Erik ten Hag guiding the club back to the top of the table with the help of his staff, there will surely be some keeping a close eye on Yorke's progress in Australia.
