Preston North End have appointed former defender Youl Mawene as the new head of performance and fitness, teaming him up with boss Graham Alexander and assistant Chris Lucketti.

Former Preston defender Youl Mawene has returned to Deepdale as the club’s new head of performance and fitness.

The 47-year-old will has team-up once again with boss Graham Alexander and assistant Chris Lucketti, albeit this time off the pitch.

The trio all played together in PNE’s defence during the mid-noughties.

Mawene went on to play 198 times for PNE from 2004 to 2010. His elder son Noah Mawene is a professional at PNE and has played nine times in the first team. He is currently on loan at Irish side Waterford.

Younger son Theo has also featured for PNE, making two substitute appearance, but joined Premier League side Brentford last year.

Alexander has also brought in Scott Dyer as head of performance analysis.

The boss said: “Youl brings a wealth of experience with him, has a fantastic work ethic and also played a significant part in successful teams both as a player with PNE and as a staff member with us when winning promotion. He’s a great addition to our staff.

“Scott worked closely with us at our previous club and played a significant role in our success there. He’ll work exceptionally hard to support the players and provide everything we need from an analysis perspective. We’re delighted to bring him in.”

As part of the restructuring, PNE can also confirm that goalkeeping coach Mike Pollitt and head of performance analysis Charlie Ager have left the club.

The club revealed an announcement regarding a new goalkeeping coach will be made in due course.