Former Wanderers coach Matt Craddock has taken up a new role as assistant manager at Waterford in the League of Ireland.

Craddock initially joined the Whites as head of coaching in 2021 following spells at Preston North End and the FA.

He took charge of the B Team upon its launch in the summer of 2022, working alongside Andrew Tutte.

Craddock was promoted to the first-team picture, initially on an interim basis following Sam Hird’s departure before taking up the role permanently.

He departed Bolton in September and now heads to the League of Ireland to assist Keith Long at Waterford.

“It has been a whirlwind few days,” Craddock told the club channels. “I travelled up on Wednesday and got here late Wednesday night.

“It is a really good opportunity and I am really pleased to be here. It is a wonderful part of the world and I am looking forward to getting going.

“Everybody has been so lovely, the people are brilliant. I feel really welcome and the staff have been fantastic.

“Keith and the coaching staff, all the staff at the club, they have been great with me. The most important thing is the people and there are a lot of good people here.

“I met the players yesterday morning. I knew a few of them from past experiences and what a great bunch. I got stuck in a little bit yesterday.

“I am really looking forward to working with that group. There is some real talent in there, they are honest, hard working, great characters and I am looking forward to getting going with them.”

Craddock reckons his spells at PNE and Wanderers have prepared him well for the next chapter of his career.

“Two great clubs, loads of good people and I have had so many different experiences in both of those clubs that have helped me get to this point today,” he added.

“I think I can bring quite a lot to the group and to the players. I learnt different things at Preston and Bolton, worked under different managers.

“My last role was in the first team at Bolton, really good experience. It was a really good year, just missing out on promotion.

“So many good experiences with people I could learn from and bring some of those experiences and add it into the mix over here.”