Vito Mannone returns as Crawley Town player-coach after six years away | OneFootball

Vito Mannone has returned to English football after six years, taking a player-coach role with League Two side Crawley Town.

According to Sunderland Echo, Crawley said he will lead their goalkeeping department, oversee sessions and development, and he will also be registered to play in the new season.

Mannone joined Sunderland from Arsenal in the summer of 2013 and made more than 80 appearances across four seasons at the Stadium of Light before moving to Reading. He later had spells in the United States, Denmark and France, and announced he was ending his playing career after a stint with Lille last summer.

He said he is delighted and proud to take the role, eager to meet everyone and to start working with staff and players. He added he will give everything and hopes to pass on his experience towards a successful season.

Head coach Colin Kazim-Richards praised Mannone’s calibre and top-level experience, saying his standards and ideas have lifted the club. He highlighted the intensity Mannone brings and said he quickly felt he was the right appointment.

Source: Sunderland Echo