Joe Dunne joins Cambridge United as Assistant Manager
Cambridge United’s Assistant Manager Joe Dunne says he’s delighted to be joining the U’s during a period in which huge strides are being made across all areas of the club.
The former Colchester United boss joins Cambridge to aid Richard Money in a restructured coaching set-up, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge from 11 years across a number of roles with the Essex outfit.
Dunne tells cambridge.united.co.uk that a shared footballing philosophy, the club’s recent revival into League Two and the drive from Money and Chief Executive Jez George to carry the club forward, were all factors that attracted him to the Abbey Stadium.
“It certainly is great to be part of a philosophy that wants to take the club forward and I think it is really exciting times,” he said.
“I know the club, having played here a number of times as a member of the opposition, but I have to say it’s moved forward ever so well.
“The club have had a period out of the league but now they are back and the sands have changed, they shift and certainly now Cambridge are gearing up to attack the league.”
He added: “I think the forward thinking of the manager Richard Money and Chief Executive Jez George for sure convinced me of the way they want to move forward, the progression they are going to make both on and off the pitch.
“You can see evidence of that when you visit the stadium at the moment, there is a lot of work going on.
“It is a challenge and I’m a young man who needs challenges. I want to keep learning and I’m in a position now where I can learn off an experienced coach, as well as help take the club forward by being a key part in what is a long term progressive plan.”
Despite a playing career in which the 41-year old notched up over 280 appearances as a defender during spells with Gillingham, Dover Athletic and Colchester, Dunne admits it has always been the management side of the game where his best qualities lie.
“Football was always going to be something that I was interested in, even as a young player coming over from Ireland because at 15 and 16 years old I was helping to coach kids in the local car park.
“I have always seen myself on this side of the game rather than playing out on the pitch, so it has always been an ambition to work as a coach.
“I just love football, I’m a football freak and love all the data and stats, whilst the time out of the game has helped me to learn a lot about people.
“The important thing in football these days is to bring out the qualities in each and every player, which will be my aim this year alongside Richard to bring out the best qualities in the players.
“That goes for the lads we already have because the players that are still here have got to want to improve. As well as looking at what we can attract, the division the club has now should hold us in good stead for what we need to bring in.”
The Irishmen also explains how pleased he is to have been given an opportunity at a club who share his principles for hard work and desire, he added, “Cambridge was a club that fitted my profile perfectly in terms of hard work, commitment and getting in amongst it.
“I’m a workaholic because I love travelling the country and watching games to try and build a database.
“I have had a period of time out of the game but it’s not been one where I have just sat back. The first thing I did when I left Colchester was get myself into some clubs to see how they do things differently.
“You can then have a review of what you have done well and what you haven’t done well in the past, so that hopefully when you get your next opportunity you’ve learnt from that.
“I come to the club with empathy because I understand what pressures a first team manager is under. My job will be to make sure we have a fantastic support team for Richard and ensure that things are in place so we can continue to move the club forward.”
WATCH: Joe Dunne speaks to United Player