John Pemberton confirmed as Chesterfield manager - and highly experienced former Sheffield United academy coach comes in as his assistant

He will be assisted by experienced and highly respected former Sheffield United academy coach John Dungworth, it has been announced.

Pemberton, 55, said: “Nothing changes really for me after coming in towards the end of the season but I’m happy to have it done.

“I like where the new owners want to go with the club and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and making sure our season is better than it was last year.”

On the length of contract he has signed, Pemberton added: “I asked all the players to only sign a one-year contract and fight for another one and I think it’s only fair that I do the same.”

Pemberton replaced John Sheridan in January and guided the Spireites out of the National League relegation zone before the season was curtailed due to the pandemic.

The job is Pemberton’s second in management, following a short stint at Kidderminster Harriers in 2019 in which he resigned.

Before that he was the Spireites academy manager and has had similar roles at Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.

Pemberton has brought in Dungworth, 65, who has had a previous spell at the club as a coach in the academy, as his right-hand man and he has already been working with the players on the training ground during pre-season.

“I’ve known John years and he’s an experienced coach who’s been at good clubs,“ Pemberton said. “He will be a good addition to us.”

Dungworth, who worked with Pemberton at Bramall Lane, left the Blades in July 2019 when United carried out a reshuffle of their academy.

He has had two spells at United and was tasked with coaching the under-23s in his most recent role.

Dungworth has also been academy manager at Leeds United and worked at Sheffield Wednesday.

The former striker started his career at Huddersfield Town and went on to play for Aldershot, Shrewsbury Town, Mansfield Town and Rotherham United.