FLEMING IS PEARSON’S NEW NO 2
BRISTOL CITY MANAGER ‘REALLY PLEASED TO HAVE CURTIS ON BOARD PERMANENTLY’ AS HIS ASSISTANT
CURTIS Fleming has been confirmed as Nigel Pearson’s new assistant at Bristol City, with the former Middlesbrough and Republic of Ireland full-back having been working as a coach since June.
Fleming was appointed on a short-term contract in the summer after Paul Simpson took a leave of absence to undergo treatment for renal cell carcinoma.
The first-team assistant coach returned to work earlier this month, having been given the all-clear, with Fleming’s future slightly up in the
air, but the coaching reshuffle has now established the 52-year-old as Pearson’s No 2, with Simpson and Keith Downing’s titles altered to first-team coaches.
Fleming’s appointment is the second significant move made by Pearson in terms of his backroom staff, with Dave Rennie having arrived in May as head of medical performance. Former centre-back Pearson and right-back Fleming played alongside each other for Middlesbrough from 1994-1998.
“I’m really pleased to have Curtis on board permanently,” said Pearson. “He is a fantastic coach and has added another dimension to the set-up.
“Curtis has settled in well and we’ve seen his impact in the short time he has been with us. Everybody is looking forward to continuing the season with him.”
After calling time on a playing career of more than 400 professional appearances in 2007, Fleming turned to coaching and has worked at Crystal Palace, QPR under Ian Holloway and Middlesbrough with Tony Pulis. Before joining City in the summer, he was head coach of Punjab FC in the Indian I-League.
“Everybody has been so welcoming since I arrived and I’ve enjoyed every minute so I’m very excited to continue working as assistant manager,” said Fleming.
“It’s a fantastic set-up here and I’m very much looking forward to helping the team have a successful season.”
Simpson and Downing were brought to Bristol City last summer from the England youth setup following the appointment of Dean Holden and took charge of one game as caretaker managers before Pearson was confirmed as manager in late February.