One former Wigan Athletic goalkeeper replaces another at Preston North End
Mike Pollitt has been replaced as Preston North End’s goalkeeping coach by fellow former Wigan Athletic custodian Carlo Nash
Carlo Nash has replaced fellow former Wigan Athletic stopper Mike Pollitt as goalkeeping coach at Preston North End.
Pollitt's departure on Monday night was part of 'the restructuring of his coaching staff' following Graham Alexander's recent appointment.
And barely 24 hours later he was replaced by Nash, who also played for Latics back in the day.
Nash made 92 appearances for North End between 2005 to 2007.
Towards the end of his Deepdale stint, he moved to Wigan on an emergency loan - ironically following an injury to Pollitt.
He joined Latics on a permanent deal in the summer of 2007, but injury dogged his solitary season at the JJB, and he moved to Everton in 2008.
Following the appointment, manager Graham Alexander said: “We’re delighted to bring Carlo in as goalkeeping coach.
“He’s another colleague who has won with us before, and also has the experience of knowing what our club is capable of.
“He’s a great character and knows how to help goalkeepers be at their best.”
Pollitt had become the second Latics legend to leave Deepdale since Alexander arrived from Bradford City, after Andy Liddell vacated his position as fitness coach.
Ironically, Pollitt's departure came less than 48 hours after Preston's 1-0 victory over Southampton - Preston's first clean sheer in 273 days.
Lee Nicholls - who came through the ranks at Wigan during the Premier League years while Pollitt was at the tail end of his playing career - was drafted into the team by Alexander to try to stop the rot.
And Nicholls even paid tribute after the game to Pollitt's role in his starring show.
“I think I got lucky on one or two, and then I think one actually takes a deflection," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“I think I sort of stood up and anticipated it going this side, I've got to cover here, it takes a deflection, I've got a hand to it and tipped it over the bar.
“It's one of them instinct things that comes from training. I think Polly's been incredible with me.
"He's kept me ready, he's working me hard. That's just me. I'll always be ready if I get the nod and today I was ready.”
Former Latics Academy coach Peter Murphy has also recently left the Preston backroom staff in recent weeks.