MIDDLESBROUGH have appointed the experienced Sam Ellis as Tony Pulis' new assistant manager.
Ellis takes over from Dave Kemp who has has headed for the USA to start his retirement after working in that role following Pulis' appointment on Boxing Day.
Ellis has enjoyed a long relationship and friendship with the Boro boss having first worked together at Stoke City in 2006.
A former Sheffield Wednesday player back in the 60s who made more than 500 career appearances, he went into management with Blackpool, Bury, and Lincoln City.
Ellis - who was in the dug-out at Spennymoor on Tuesday and flies out to Germany today with the Boro squad - was assistant to Peter Reid at Manchester City, Stan Ternent at Burnley as well as spending time at Leeds with Kevin Blackwell.
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