Phillips named new AFC Fylde head coach

Kevin Phillips guided Hartlepool to four wins in his first five matches in charge after taking over in January, but was not offered a new deal at the end of the season

Former Sunderland and England striker Kevin Phillips has been appointed head coach of AFC Fylde.

Chris Beech left the Coasters last month after Fylde picked up just one win from their opening eight National League games of the season.

Phillips departed Hartlepool at the end of last season, despite guiding Pools to 12th in the National League after arriving in January when they were four points above the drop zone.

The 51-year-old’s first game in charge will be the FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash at home to Rochdale on Saturday.

Goalkeeping coach Chris Neal and former striker Nathan Delfouneso have been in caretaker charge at Mill Farm, earning seven points from five matches to climb to 21st, a point from safety.

Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite told the club website: “I am sure, like me, our fans will be excited with this appointment.

"I would like to thank Nathan and Chris for stepping in and taking charge for the last five games, during which time they have not only steadied the ship but put a smile back on people's faces."

Phillips represented nine clubs during his 20-year playing career, including Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, West Brom, Aston Villa and Birmingham.

He scored a total of 287 goals, won eight caps for England and in 2000 became the first English player to win Europe's Golden Shoe award. Bayern Munich's Harry Kane became the second English winner last season.

Since retiring in 2014, he has held coaching roles with Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City before a 15-month stint at South Shields, who he led to promotion into the National League North in his second season in charge in 2022-23.

Phillips had expected to remain at Hartlepool this season but claimed the club had withdrawn a contract offer in order to appoint former Woking boss Darren Sarll instead.

Phillips will be assisted by Wess Brown, who he worked with at South Shields.