Former Sheffield United coach Jack Lester has been appointed as assistant first-team coach at Brentford following his summer departure from Bramall Lane.
The 49-year-old left the Blades in June after Ruben Selles’ arrival reshaped the backroom staff, ending a six-year association with the club.
Lester, a Sheffield native, had been part of United’s setup since 2019, initially working in the academy before stepping up under Chris Wilder. He departed alongside Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge after Wilder’s dismissal earlier in the summer, leaving him free to pursue new opportunities.
EFL Championship
Brentford move marks fresh challenge
Brentford manager Keith Andrews confirmed the appointment, praising Lester’s ability to develop players and his passion for coaching. The pair previously worked together at Bramall Lane, and Andrews insisted his former colleague’s values align strongly with those of the Bees as they look to maintain their Premier League status.
Lester will now form part of a reshaped staff in West London, filling a role Brentford had been seeking to address for several weeks. The club lost several senior figures over the summer, including key players Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Yoane Wissa, making Lester’s experience and knowledge particularly valuable heading into the new campaign.
As a player, Lester enjoyed a long career as a striker, turning out for clubs including Grimsby Town, Nottingham Forest, Chesterfield and Sheffield United before retiring in 2014. His transition into coaching began at Notts County and later saw him return to Forest and Chesterfield before his move back to Bramall Lane.
Selles’ decision to bring in trusted assistants Tobias Loveland and James Oliver-Pearce meant Lester’s time with the Blades came to an end. The Spaniard has since struggled to make an early impact at United, who remain winless in the Championship after four games and a first-round Carabao Cup exit.
Writer’s View
This appointment offers Lester a significant platform to re-establish himself at the highest level after a long spell at his hometown club. For Sheffield United, his departure was another reminder of the sweeping changes introduced under Selles, who has endured a difficult start.
Brentford, meanwhile, have gained a coach with proven pedigree in player development and experience of working within both academy and senior structures. The move underlines Lester’s resilience and adaptability, with his grounding at United now giving way to a fresh challenge in the Premier League.
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