Former Sheffield United star Jake Wright has traded the dressing room for the classroom, taking on a new role as head of year 8 at Newfield School. Wright, who stands at 6ft tall and is dressed in a smart grey jacket and black tie, cuts an authoritative figure in the school corridors. This is a surprising career shift for the 40-year-old, who admits he had no idea what he wanted to do after his playing career. Wright's new role is not a teaching position but rather a pastoral role, offering support and guidance to pupils outside the classroom. This job offers both structure and variety, much like his previous career in football.
Wright's transition from a noisy dressing room with big personalities and colourful language to helping shape young minds is an interesting one. He jokes that he used to shout at players a lot back in the day, but now some players need an arm around them, a quiet word, and a bit of confidence. Some students also need a firm telling if they're doing something wrong, while others just need five minutes of his time in his office.
Wright's position is not a teaching role, but rather he is there to offer support and guidance to pupils outside the classroom. Like football, the job offers both structure and variety. He gets in at 07:30 but every day is different, and he's turning kids who aren't attending school into regular attendees and even enjoying lessons again.
Wright's decision to take on this role was influenced by his desire to be a male role model for the students. Growing up on a council estate in Bradford, he struggled at school despite loving PE and maths. He knows what to look out for on a Monday morning, having seen similar situations with his family.
Wright's quiet authority and thirst for hard work were qualities that persuaded Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder to bring him back to Bramall Lane in 2016. He played 30 times for the Blades that season without losing a game, and the club was promoted with more than 100 points. Wright admits that his old gaffer was surprised about his post-football career.
Former United teammates have expressed intrigue and amusement at Wright's new career path. Paul Coutts, a ball-playing midfielder and joker of Wilder's dressing room, described Wright as an 'unassuming lad' with a 'dry sense of humour'. Chris Basham, who was part of a three-man defence at United that limited Wright's playing time towards the end of his career, says it wouldn't be his choice of work.
Despite the challenges, Wright is more than content with his new role. He has built relationships and an understanding with the students and parents, and he's looking forward to following his pupils all the way through the years. He's completed his UEFA B coaching badges and has coached Sheffield United under-13s and 14s, so he's not giving up hope of a return to football one day.
Wright reflects on the biggest surprises he has encountered with pupils over the academic year, noting how open and honest they are. He contrasts this with his own school days, where he never had deep conversations with anyone. Wright's emotional connection to his pupils is evident, and he knows that the Leavers Assembly in Year 11 will be a real struggle.
