Former Premier League star Garry Monk secures return to English football after more than three years unemployed

EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Garry Monk has returned to English football after three years in the football wilderness.

Monk, 44, has taken up the vacant manager’s job at Cambridge United.

PAGarry Monk has been announced as the new manager of Cambridge[/caption]

The League One outfit have been without a manager since Neil Harris departed to rejoin Millwall.

But with Monk’s appointment the U’s will be hoping to push up the table from 19th and away from relegation.

Monk has a contract at the Cledara Abbey Stadium running to the summer of 2026.

A club statement said: “Garry Monk was today appointed the new Head Coach of Cambridge United on a two-year deal until the summer of 2026…

“He now joins Cambridge United following a detailed recruitment process after the departure of Neil Harris to Millwall last month.”

Majority owner Paul Barry said: “We are very pleased to welcome Garry as our next Head Coach.

“This follows a thorough process and three separate interviews with owners, board and senior staff from across the club last week where Garry emerged as our unanimous choice.”

Monk is a former manager of Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday, where he was sacked in November 2020.

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Barry added: “He is a coach of high pedigree, has managed at the top level and impressed us all with his leadership skills, clarity of thinking and his analysis of Cambridge United – both the squad and the club.

“Although he has had opportunities to get back into the game over recent times, he has been waiting for the right one.

“Like us, he sees this as a project and we are pleased he has decided to join us on the journey ahead.”

Monk’s first game in charge will come against Northampton this Saturday.

Barry continued: “We do, of course, all recognise that there is the immediate challenge of securing our League One future after what has been a difficult period for everyone at the club, following Neil Harris’ unexpected and sudden departure.

“In many ways the season starts now. We have eleven games to go.

“We know what we need to do and we know that it will require a collective team effort with everyone playing their part in helping us get over the line – players, staff and fans.

“So let’s attack these next two months, get behind Garry and the team and get the Abbey rocking on Saturday.

“Finally, a big thank you to Barry and all the coaching staff.

“It’s undoubtedly been a tough two weeks that no one could have anticipated or planned for, but they have been a credit to the club in the way they have conducted themselves and lead the team with both professionalism and integrity.”

Monk starred for Southampton and Swansea in the Premier League.