Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore is delighted to be reunited with ex-teammate Simon Ireland, following his arrival at Hillsborough.

Last week, Ireland was announced as the latest addition to The Owls' coaching staff, replacing the recently departed Paul Williams. 

Moore praised his former Doncaster Rovers colleague when speaking to Yorkshire Live: "I wanted to get Simon in because he's an experienced coach.

“He knows the game and there are parts of the team that he can specialise in and work with the unit. He's a wonderful acquisition for us.”

The praise is not one way however, with Ireland speaking very highly of Moore. He told Yorkshire Live: "Myself and Darren played together at Doncaster in the late 1990s, he was captain of the team, he always led by example and you could see he was destined for management.

“We touched base again at Blackburn where he was first team coach and I was working at the academy. This is a great opportunity to work alongside him again and the timing is perfect on the eve of what I’m sure will be an exciting new season.”

Before his move to Yorkshire, Ireland has seen most of his coaching experience coming at the academy level - as Assistant Academy Manager at Blackburn Rovers U18's and Brighton and Hove Albion's U21's Manager.

In 2019, Ireland was handed his first game in charge at a senior level, following Aitor Karanka's dismissal at Nottingham Forest. The 49-year-old oversaw a 2-0 defeat against Reading, before becoming a member of Martin O'Neill's backroom staff for the remainder of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday began the season with a goalless draw against Charlton Athletic, and will be hoping to get their first win of the season against Doncaster next weekend.

The Verdict 

This season looks like it could be one of rebuilding for Sheffield Wednesday, who have had numerous changes both on and off the pitch this summer.

Simon Ireland arrives at a time where The Owls will be optimistic of achieving an instant return to The Championship.

Largely inexperienced at the senior level, this moves gives Ireland the chance to apply his trade in a first-team dugout, whilst also allows him to work with an old friend, who he clearly thinks very highly of.