Forest Green boss Robbie Savage has promoted club legend Yan Klukowski to his coaching staff.
Klukowski spent four seasons at The New Lawn as a goal scoring midfielder between 2010 and 2014, making 174 appearances and scoring 52 goals. His box-to-box running and eye for a goal made him a real favourite amongst the fans under David Hockaday. The 39 -year-old returned to the New Lawn in a coaching capacity, working his way up through the academy ranks before taking on the Head of Academy role, replacing Hannah Dingley.
Klukowski will bolster Savages’ backroom staff following the exit of assistant manager John McMahon.
In a rich playing career, Chippenham-born Klukowski went on to play for Newport County in League Two before spells at York City, Chippenham Town, Torquay, Kidderminster, Hungerford and Hereford. His coaching career has also seen him at Gloucester City and Hereford United.
Savage explained that since arriving at Forest Green he has spent considerable time observing the club’s academy structure and getting to know the players coming through it. Through that work, he developed a close working relationship with Yan Klukowski and was able to see first-hand how he coaches and manages young footballers, he said: “Yan is someone I’ve got to know really well since arriving at the club. I’ve spent a lot of time studying our academy players, and that naturally brought me closer to him. He has a great relationship with every single one of them. Working alongside him during the National League Cup gave me a real close-up look at how he operates, and I loved his passion and his intensity. He cares deeply about this football club, and he completely understands what we are trying to build here and how we are going about it.”
“He is going to be a massive asset for me and for Forest Green Rovers. But just as importantly, promoting from within sends a powerful message. If you work hard, buy into what we are doing and show the right attitude, there is a path forward for you here. I want every young, aspiring person at this club to see what Yan has achieved and believe that they can do the same.”
Klukowski added it had been both an honour and a privilege to lead the academy and work alongside talented young players and staff members. He reflected positively on the years he has spent helping develop players and contributing to the club’s youth system, he said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the Academy and work with so many talented young players and staff. To now be given the opportunity to join the first team coaching staff is something I am extremely proud of.
“Ultimately, this is an opportunity that has been earned through my commitment and hard work at the club over the past seven seasons. I feel I am more than ready to impact the first team environment in a positive way.
“I would like to thank the board and the manager for the trust shown in me, and I look forward to the challenge ahead.”
