Newcastle United have officially announced the appointment of Simon Smith as the club's new first team goalkeeping coach.
The Magpies had a vacancy on their coaching staff following the departure of Andy Woodman from his role at St James' Park.
And they have moved quickly to fill it by drafting in a familiar face in 52-year-old Smith.
The goalkeeping coach previously worked at the club from 1993 until 2004 and returns to a club he knows well to bolster Steve McClaren's backroom staff.
Smith has most recently worked with the English Football Association, helping to coach goalkeepers in national youth teams.
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The coach originally started his coaching spell at Newcastle in 1993, working with young goalkeepers before stepping up to become first team goalkeeping coach under first Ruud Gullit in 1999, and then under Sir Bobby Robson.
As a player, Smith began his professional career with Newcastle before then playing for Whitley Bay and Gateshead.
