Former Aston Villa, Birmingham City, and West Brom star lands manager's job

Former striker Kevin Phillips who played for three West Midlands clubs is back in management after landing a head coach role at a National League club.

The 51-year-old has been unveiled as the new head coach of AFC Fylde, who play in the fifth tier of English football. He makes a return to the dugout after his contract wasn't extended at Hartlepool United in April.

It is just his second job as a number one, having managed South Shields for a season, guiding them to the Northern Premier League title. He held coaching roles with Leicester City, Derby County, and Stoke City after his retirement in 2014.

Phillips gets straight down to business with an FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against Rochdale on Saturday. A win would put them in the draw against one of his former clubs Birmingham City, who enter at the first round stage following their relegation to League One.

Speaking about why he appointed Phillips, club Chairman David Haythornthwaite said to the official club website: “The search for the new manager has taken maybe a bit longer than people expected but this is reflective of the interest we had received in the position.

“Kevin was presented to us at an early stage and was invited with several others to Mill Farm for a lengthy interview and after that, was the clear favourite.

“However, it was important that we spoke to all concerned to make sure we had the very best candidate for the job. Once this was decided, late Friday afternoon, the weekend was spent finalising the contracts for both Kevin and his assistant, Wess and I am delighted everything is now concluded and Kevin and Wess are in the building.”

Former Aston Villa forward Nathan Delfouneso was holding the fort down for Phillips alongside Chris Neal before Fylde made their appointment. Phillips inherits a team that is currently 21st, and a point adrift of safety.

During his playing career, he is most known for his time with Sunderland, having netted an impressive 130 goals in 235 games, which earned him a call-up to the England squad.

Phillips turned out for three West Midlands clubs; Aston Villa, West Brom, and Birmingham City, all after one another. He joined Villa for a reported £1m in June 2005, and netted five goals in 27 appearances, before being sold to the Baggies for a reported loss of £300,000.

At the Hawthorns is the West Midlands club in which he was most successful, as he netted 46 goals in 81 games. Phillips helped the club reach the play-offs in 2007, and then after suffering heartache to Derby County, he helped inspire them to the Championship title.

He opted to remain in the Championship, and joined Birmingham City, just two years after turning out for the Claret & Blue. At Birmingham, he made 82 appearances, scoring 22 goals, and helped Blues finish second in the Championship under Alex McLeish, before holding their own in the Premier League for two seasons.