Jokanovic appoints assistants at Sheffield United
Left to right: Cesarini, Sanz and Cristobal
Written by Training Ground Guru — July 12, 2021
NEW Sheffield United boss Slaviša Jokanovic has made the first appointments to his backroom staff, with Chema Sanz joining as first-team coach, Rafa Cristobal as Head of Performance and Marco Cesarini as Head of Medical.
Jokanovic was appointed manager at Bramall Lane at the end of May and has had to move to fill several backroom positions. Chris Wilder left the club in March, with a trio of assistants - first-team coach and Head of Sport Science Matt Prestridge, goalkeeper coach Darren Ward and performance analyst Mike Allen - exiting a few weeks later.
Paul Heckingbottom held the fort as caretaker manager to the end of the season assisted by Jason Tindall and goalkeeper coach Matt Duke.
Jokanovic has moved to fill the vacancies by bringing in:
- Chema Sanz: 51. Was manager of Valencia B before progressing to technical director at Mestalla. He coached Jokanovic when he was a player at Tenerife.
- Rafa Cristobal: 48 and a Spaniard, like Sanz. Served as Jovanovic's fitness coach during his spell in charge of Fulham, having previously held similar positions at Las Palmas, Alaves, Real Valladolid and Levante.
- Marco Cesarini: Most recently worked in China at Henan Jianye, was on the staff at AC Milan, Brescia and West Ham, prior to being Head of Medical with Jokanovic at both Watford and Fulham.
Further appointments are expected in the coming week. Alan Knill, Wilder's long-time assistant, remains on the payroll at the club.
