Ex Newcastle United and I’m a Celeb star eyes up ‘unfinished business’ in new National League role

Former Newcastle United star Kieron Dyer has taken up a coaching role at National League side Chesterfield ahead of the new season.

The midfielder, who played 250 times for Newcastle United during his playing career, finished last season working for the club in a consultancy capacity and will now take a more prominent role.

Chesterfield finished last season third in the National League, 27 points off winners Wrexham, and missed out on promotion to League 2 when defeated by Notts County in the play-off final.

The Derbyshire side will be hoping to go one better next season and have already added Northern Irish striker Will Grigg to the side this summer for extra firepower.

With his new role announced on Monday, Dyer said: “I came in for the last two months of the season just to give the lads a different voice.

“It seemed to go really well, but I have unfinished business. I think all the staff have unfinished players, as do the players. I’m really excited for the coming season.”

The ex-Premier League star previously worked as a coach at Ipswich Town upon retirement in 2014 and stayed at the club for five years until 2019. In 2020, Dyer then became head coach of the club's under-23 team and was known to help out with first-team training before a sudden resignation from his post in March 2022.

Away from football, Dyer has taken part in reality shows including I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and worked as a pundit. The 44-year-old has also opened up about his health battles.

In 2019, Dyer was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver condition that does not have a cure. He is on the waiting list for a transplant.

Earlier this year the former Magpie was banned from driving after being caught on a phone call when at the wheel. Dyer argued the ban, which came from points totting-up rules, could pose serious problems should he be offered a new liver and need to be at the hospital within two hours.

Magistrates expressed sympathy with Dyer but ruled that he could get a taxi if needed according to The Sun.