Sam Hird has joined Bolton Wanderers from Barrow as a first team coach and will also take charge of a new reserve team at the club.
The 33-year-old was released by the Bluebirds and has now joined Ian Evatt's backroom staff at Wanderers.
The defender is someone who Evatt knows well from his days at the Cumbrian side and also at Chesterfield.
Hird has linked up Bolton and will work alongside Evatt and assistant manager Peter Atherton.
But he will also be looking after a group of players which will form a reserve team this season at Wanderers which will be competing in the Central League.
Evatt has spoken in the past of his desire of having some form of reserve football at Wanderers to provide a bridge for players inbetween the youth and first teams.
And along with his first team duties, Hird, who has now called time on his playing career, will take charge of the new reserve team at Wanderers.
The Bolton boss said: “Sam will be looking after that group. He has joined us and will work with me and Peter – but when it comes down to managing that group of players, he’ll be in charge.
“First and foremost, he’s a fantastic person and culturally, he fits the bill perfectly.
“He also knows the game extremely well and understands what I want and require from players, so he is a great fit for us to come over.
“We want young and hungry coaches and players who have a point to prove.
"Sam does, he is starting out on his coaching journey but is very talented and we’re excited to have him. He will be a great asset for us.”
