Cancer-surviving former Premier League star is handed his first job in management, as he takes charge of second division South American side two years after hanging up his boots

• A former Premier League player has taken his first job in management
• He survived cancer during his time in England, and will now coach in Argentina
• West Ham have had three superb seasons – why is David Moyes under pressure?

An ex-Premier League footballer has been given his first manager’s job after retiring from the sport in 2021.

The 40-year-old made 154 top flight appearances during his seven years in England between 2008 and 2015, scoring seven goals.

After leaving England to move to Spain, he made the switch to South America in 2016 and saw out the rest of his career there before finally hanging his boots up two years ago.

He finished his career at Argentine side Club Almagro, and now former Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has been named as the club’s new manager.

The Buenos Aires-based outfit, who currently play in Argentina’s second division, announced Gutierrez’s appointment on Wednesday evening.

Former Newcastle player Jonas Gutierrez has taken his first job in management

Gutierrez survived testicular cancer during his time at Newcastle after being diagnosed in 2013

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Gutierrez is fondly remembered by Newcastle fans where he spent the majority of his time in England.

Having arrived on Tyneside in 2008, Gutierrez was part of the side that were relegated to the Championship in his first season, but he stayed with the Magpies as they made an immediate return to the Premier League the following year.

He then played a key role in the team’s impressive 2011-12 campaign which saw them finish fifth as they narrowly missed out on Champions League football.

Gutierrez was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2013 and had one of his testicles removed shortly afterwards, before he was loaned to Norwich in January for the rest of the season.

He was released by Newcastle in the summer of 2015 and later successfully sued the club for disability discrimination after  it was  found he had been dropped from the team as a result of his cancer battle.

He struggled for game time in his final season at St James’ Park, as the club tried to ensure he did not meet appearance criteria that would have triggered an extension.

However, he made a crucial contribution on the final day as he registered a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win against West Ham to ensure Newcastle stayed in the Premier League. His celebration – sprinting past team-mates and cupping his ears to the crowd – was directed at the director’s box, where then-owner Mike Ashley was sat. 

The 22-cap Argentina international spent the last five years of his career back in his homeland, with his final months coming at Almagro, and he will now be coaching the team from the sidelines.

Gutierrez scored the goal that helped save Newcastle on the final day of the season in 2015

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