Cambridge United confirm appointment of Garry Monk as new head coach following Neil Harris’ recent departure to Millwall

Garry Monk has been appointed the new head coach of Cambridge United.

The 44-year-old, who has filled the vacancy recently left by Neil Harris, has signed a deal that runs until the summer of 2026 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

The U’s role will be Monk’s first in management since he parted ways with Sheffield Wednesday in November 2020.

Prior to that, Monk had been in charge of Swansea City – where he won the Premier League Manager of the Month award in August 2014 – alongside stints at Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City in the Championship.

But now the former top flight defender will switch his focus to guiding United to Sky Bet League One survival, starting with this weekend’s home clash against Northampton Town.

The club’s majority owner Paul Barry said of the appointment: “We are very pleased to welcome Garry as our next head coach. This follows a thorough process and three separate interviews with owners, board and senior staff from across the club last week where Garry emerged as our unanimous choice.

“He is a coach of high pedigree, has managed at the top level and impressed us all with his leadership skills, clarity of thinking and his analysis of Cambridge United – both the squad and the club. Although he has had opportunities to get back into the game over recent times, he has been waiting for the right one. Like us, he sees this as a project and we are pleased he has decided to join us on the journey ahead.

“We do, of course, all recognise that there is the immediate challenge of securing our League One future after what has been a difficult period for everyone at the club, following Neil Harris’ unexpected and sudden departure.

“In many ways the season starts now. We have eleven games to go. We know what we need to do and we know that it will require a collective team effort with everyone playing their part in helping us get over the line – players, staff and fans. So let’s attack these next two months, get behind Garry and the team and get the Abbey rocking on Saturday.

“Finally, a big thank you to Barry (Corr, interim head coach) and all the coaching staff. It’s undoubtedly been a tough two weeks that no one could have anticipated or planned for, but they have been a credit to the Club in the way they have conducted themselves and lead the team with both professionalism and integrity.”