Gary Brabin has been named assistant manager by Latics.
The former manager of Tranmere and Cambridge United joins Latics as a member of Micky Mellon’s revamped coaching team. In addition to having a prosperous playing career that lasted almost two decades, the 52-year-old has coached Luton and served as a coach at Blackpool and Port Vale. Paul Murray will continue to serve as Academy Manager and coach the first team as part of the new configuration. “Gary is a very experienced coach, and I am really looking forward to working with him,” Mellon expressed her happiness at having him here. “I am well aware of who I am and what I need in order to be the best version of myself.
“I’d fight beside Gary at any time; he’s a really good addition to the team. “His inclusion in our coaching staff will guarantee that the athletes receive all the assistance they require. “It gives me great pleasure to announce that Paul Murray will assume leadership of the Academy and advance to the first team group.” Playing alongside Mellon at Blackpool in the mid-1990s was the apex of Brabin’s playing career. In 2008, he took a coaching position at Southport, where he quickly made an impression and led the team to the National League North playoffs. Cambridge arrived next calling, guiding them to the National League’s runner-up spot, losing to Stevenage in the play-off championship, and winning the division’s manager of the year award. He was Luton’s main scout for a few months before moving up to assistant manager and then first-team manager, when he guided Luton to the play-off final. Brabin’s next move was back to Southport, where he worked as an academy coach for Everton. His second management position was at Tranmere, when he brought in James Norwood and Andy Cook, two striking partners of great ability. After almost missing out on the play-offs with Tranmere, he went back to teaching, taking positions at Port Vale, Blackpool, and Luton.
Since 2021, Brabin has served as the Sporting Director for The New Saints FC, the winners of the Welsh Premier League, and he will stay on staff there. Benny Couto, meantime, has decided to stay on loan at Ashton United till the end of the current campaign. After making seven appearances while on loan with the Robins last month, Couto will now play out the rest of the season at Hurst Cross.
