Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk will soon bring in friend and former Birmingham colleague, James Beattie.

The former Sheffield United and Everton striker has been on the coaching staff at St Andrews for the last few seasons. However, according to a report from the Sun on Sunday (print edition, 27th October 2019), Beattie is no longer on the books with Birmingham and will instead make the move to Hillsborough.

Beattie has been courted by Monk ever since he took the Owls job in the summer and will be a welcomed addition to the coaching staff in S6. Monk has kept on the likes of Lee Bullen at the club, but has wanted Beattie to join him since day one.

The former Southampton striker has built a solid reputation for himself within the coaching game in the last few seasons.

After managing at Accrington Stanley, he has followed Monk around in his managerial career thus far, taking in spells with Monk at the likes of Leeds, Middlesbrough and Swansea.

Wednesday are also said to be giving some funds to Monk to strengthen the first-team squad in January. It is believed Monk will target 2-3 loan players as he looks to ensure the Owls do not fall away from the promotion race in the second half of the season.

The Verdict

Was always a case of when, not if, this might happen.

Beattie though, by all accounts, is a good coach and should prove a good addition to the ranks at Hillsborough.

Sometimes it's about getting things right on the coaching side as well as with the playing staff. If Beattie can have a good impact then things might continue to pick up for Wednesday throughout the season.