Former Manchester United defender James Chester has returned to Carrington as a youth coach.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd academy graduate makes surprise return as new coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It’s been 14 years since James Chester walked out of Old Trafford as a young defender chasing his dream elsewhere.
Now, the former academy graduate has returned home — not to play, but to coach. Talk about a full-circle moment at Carrington.
Chester, 36, was one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s trusted academy talents in the late 2000s.
Fans might remember his brief but proud senior debut back in 2009, when he came off the bench for Gary Neville in a League Cup semi-final win over Derby County.
It was the kind of moment every academy player dreams of, and now, he’s back to help others chase that same dream.
According to reports (via Manchester Evening News), Chester has been working with United’s U15 and U16 squads on a voluntary basis.
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He’s at Carrington three days a week as he works toward his UEFA B Licence — the early stages of what could become a promising coaching career.
The move was reportedly made possible through Paul McShane, Chester’s long-time friend and former United academy coach, who encouraged him to take up the opportunity.
From Ferguson’s student to Carrington’s teacher
It’s quite the comeback story. Chester’s United journey ended in 2011 when Ferguson sold him to Hull City — a move the legendary manager famously called “an absolute steal.”
From there, Chester carved out a solid career across English football, playing for West Brom, , Stoke, Derby, Barrow, and Salford City.
His highlight reel includes scoring in the 2014 FA Cup final for Hull against and representing Wales at Euro 2016, where he played every minute en route to the semifinals.
Now, with his boots hung up, Chester’s looking to give back to the club that shaped him. United have made it a habit of bringing former players into coaching roles — and Chester’s presence is another example of that tradition paying dividends.
For now, the Warrington-born defender is focused on guiding United’s youngsters while learning the ropes of coaching himself. It’s a different kind of challenge, but one that Chester seems to relish.
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