FORMER Newcastle United and Everton defender Steve Watson has been drafted in as Macclesfield Town's new assistant manager.
Watson 42, replaces Efe Sodje who the club confirmed two weeks ago had left Moss Rose after three years as John Askey's right-hand man.
Askey will now be assisted by Watson, who made over 200 appearances for Newcastle before spells with Everton, Aston Villa, West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday.
After retiring, he had coaching roles at Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City under former team-mate Lee Clark and is now dropping down to the National League.
Watson told the club's website: “I'm pleased and excited to be joining Macclesfield Town.
“It is a fantastic club with a great group of players and John has done a fantastic job in getting us so close to the play-offs over the last two seasons. My job is to help us push over the line and that has got to be the goal.
“We looked one of the best teams in the last 12 games of the season. We were hard to beat but we coupled that with playing good football and the aim is to put that final quarter of last season in to all four quarters of the new season.
“Personally this is the next progression for me. I have learned a lot about the National League with my role with BT Sport and helping John out last season and hopefully I can help us get over the line.”
