Thompson is Latics' new Head of Recruitment

Steve Thompson

Latics have appointed Steve Thompson as the club’s new Head of Recruitment.

The arrival of Thompson to a newly-created role is another significant development in implementing a new recruitment strategy for the club.

Working alongside manager David Unsworth and his support staff, Thompson will oversee the structure for the signing new players, including a regional and nationwide scouting system.

Speaking to Latics Player, Thompson admitted that he was excited to be working for his hometown club.

“My Dad and Grandad played for Latics, and I’m from Shaw, so I’m delighted to be here," he said.

“There are some great staff here, who’re putting in the work to get Latics back to where we should be.

“We’ve got to make sure we get the right players in, ideally ones who can develop and become sellable assets, if not, it’ll be loan signings who’ll have an instant impact.

“We’re going to have a network of scouts who’ll write reports on players, I’ll take a look at ones who fit the remit and then pass them onto the coaching staff who’ll get the final say.

“As well as being a good player, they’ve got to be a nice person too, with the right attitude for the dressing room.”

Born in Shaw, Thompson had a successful playing career, appearing over 300 times for Bolton in addition to long spells with Leicester and Rotherham.

After retiring from playing, he started out at Blackpool as a coach, working his way up to first-team coach under Ian Holloway as the Seasiders won promotion to the Premier League.

Spells with Huddersfield and Leeds as assistant manager followed, before joining Preston in 2015.

He spent seven years at Deepdale as number two to Alex Neil, Simon Grayson and Frankie McAvoy, before departing the club earlier this year.

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