Steve Agnew joins Aston Villa backroom staff

The 52-year-old was previously assistant to Villa boss Steve Bruce at Hull City, where they won promotion to the Premier League in 2013.

Agnew moved to Middlesbrough a year later, before taking charge for the final two months of last season following Aitor Karanka's sacking.

He was unable to save Boro from relegation and was replaced in the Riverside hotseat by Garry Monk during the summer.

Agnew has been appointed head of coaching at Villa, where he will work closely with assistant boss Colin Calderwood and Stephen Clemence.

Bruce said: “It is something I have been working quietly on over the last couple of months in particular.

“I’ve always worked with three coaches if I could. Steve’s an excellent coach.

“I have put Steve as the head of coaching. I have spoken to (assistant boss) Colin Calderwood and (first-team coach) Stephen Clemence and they they are fine with it.

“I worked with him at Hull and we got the balance right. Let’s hope he can bring a bit of magic on the training pitch.”

Bruce continued: “It’s a different voice, different ideas, a different way forward. Already we have seen a difference in training. There is nothing quite like freshening it up.

“To get someone like him, with his experience, I know what he will bring. The more help you can get on the training ground, the better. He is a wonderfully gifted coach."

Agnew made more than 180 appearances for Barnsley during a playing career which also took in spells at Blackburn, Portsmouth, Leicester, Sunderland and York.

The Yorkshireman moved into coaching in 2002, working with Gateshead, Boro, Leeds, Hartlepool and Hull.