FORMER Burnley defender Mike Phelan has returned to Norwich City as the club’s new first team coach.

Phelan, who was born in Nelson and represented the Clarets between 1979 and 1985, left his role as assistant manager at Manchester United last summer following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

But the 52-year-old has now returned to football to join Neil Adams’ backroom staff at Norwich.

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Phelan played for Norwich and was later a coach working with Gary Megson at the club in 1995.

He also managed the Canaries’ reserve team and replaces the recently departed Mark Robson at Carrow Road.

Adams said: “It’s really important that we replaced Mark Robson with the best possible coach we could find and I decided Mike was the outstanding choice.

“I’m delighted to bring in someone with Mike’s experience to work with myself, Gary Holt, and the rest of the coaching staff.

“He’s someone who has a strong connection with Norwich City and I know him well, having worked with him before when I was a player and he was coaching here.”

Phelan, who starts his new role with the Canaries on Wednesday, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to return to Carrow Road.

“I have many fond memories and am looking forward to helping Neil and the team to progress and ultimately getting back into the Premier League where they deserve to be.”

Phelan was voted into the Norwich City Hall of Fame in 2002.

As a cultured and versatile midfielder and former captain of the club, Phelan made 194 appearances for City between 1985 and 1989.