‘Didn’t see that coming’ – Cambridge United surprise fans with their new manager Neil Harris and Mark Bonner as their DoF.
Harris is returning to the U’s as head coach for his second spell as boss after first taking charge in 2023 while Bonner, who left the club in the same year, returns as director of football.
Neil Harris was the bookies’ strong favourite at 5/4, no surprises there. Interestingly, Mark Bonner was the second favourite at 5/1, and now both are in. Cambridge are bottom of League One, 8 points from safety.
Welcoming back Neil Harris as Head Coach and Mark Bonner as Director of Football.
— Cambridge United FC (@CambridgeUtdFC) February 19, 2025
Unfinished business. 💯
— Cambridge United FC (@CambridgeUtdFC) February 19, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Neil Harris has rejoined the Club has Head Coach whilst Mark Bonner has been appointed the new Director of Football at Cambridge United…
This follows the conclusion of the first part of the football review at the Club and both start work immediately.
Paul Barry Majority Owner speaking on behalf of the Owners and Board said, “This has been a challenging season which has not gone as any of us would have hoped. There have been lessons for all of us to learn.
“The first part of our football review over the last month has highlighted three key things:
“First – the need to adjust how the football side of the Club is overseen and governed from Owners and Board down. We have done this.
“Second – the requirement to appoint someone to review all parts of our football operations as Director of Football over the coming months and lead the potential change that might follow
“Third – the need to deepen our culture, continue to modernise every area of the Club and at the same time have a relentless focus on what it takes to win on and off the pitch
“Mark Bonner will be returning as our new Director of Football. He knows the Club inside out – its strengths, its culture and values, and also the areas that we must seek to improve.
“He is an exceptional individual and we believe his leadership, strategic thinking and deep understanding of the game can make him an outstanding Director of Football for us over the long term.
“He will undertake the second part of the football review as the planning starts now to get ready for next season – alongside fighting to stay up.
“Neil Harris is returning as Head Coach on a contract until June 2027. He made a significant impact at the Club over a short period last season. He is a winner and his track record as a Head Coach speaks for itself. He will obviously work very closely with Mark, who has been leading conversations with him over the last 48 hours.
“Clearly, Neil left us in a unique set of circumstances last season, and we all feel there is unfinished business for him at Cambridge United.
“Finally, a word for our fans. We are hugely grateful for all your support this season when there has often not been a lot to cheer about.
“We believe this new leadership on the football side will put is in a better position to attack the challenges in front of us as we look to create a new positive chapter for the Club – United in Endeavour.”
A press conference with Neil and Mark will take place at 2pm on Thursday 20 February. Members of the press can contact danb@cambridgeunited.com to receive an invite.
Cambridge United surprise fans with a new manager and DoF, this is what is being said on Twitter…
@BeefyDarts: How very confusing.
@_Dylxn19_: Urmmm I don’t know how to feel
@JackGoodwin2001: A SENSATIONAL move from Cambridge United. Neil Harris did a ridiculously good job at Millwall last + this season and is a real coup for #CamUTD. Bonner was harshly sacked IMO and is an adored figure at the Abbey. Bold, brave and brilliant. 👏🏻
@camtrublue: A chance for double redemption 🙏🙏
@Official_ItzTJP: This is the best fair play Cambridge 👏
@Welovecufc: This is the best news all season
@maxpauley123: Well nobody expected that
@CandleTwins: I like it, I wish them both well and the turnaround starts here.
@LeonardPickles: Happy, but utterly confused. I need a drink 🤯
@J053ph455: Talk about going back to your ex
@Jakeowenbarker: I think I’ve fallen in love with my club again 😍😍😍😍
@ReeceDSport: I like to think there was an intense game of heads or tails to decide who got the managers job
@ZaaanderSmith: Both of them very strange appointments. Neil Harris is a great manager but jumped ship the minute Millwall came calling and Mark Bonner took them to league one to now want to be director of football is very strange.
@OwenHowell: Is this one of the biggest football plot twists of the decade? Like what on earth have I just read?! 😂😂 unreal scenes
@Dan_Maycock96: This is probably the best possible outcome!
@Dan_Maycock96: Welcome home Bonz! Let’s hope the snake has enough bite to have a redemption arc!
@danielboyle10: Seems we are copying the Boro model of re employing former bosses !! Any way welcome back both after a year of Monk
@JamesCollen9: What was the odds on this
@BenPhillips2020: Fantastic appointments. Chuffed to see @markbonner85 back 🏠 at the abbey. Neil Harris back is also what we need as he knows how to grind out results and is a no nonsense manager 💛🖤
@JackToulson12: I don’t get this whatsoever. He jumped ship to Millwall at the first given opportunity,. And although he’s a good manager there must be a bad taste in the mouth amongst the Cambridge fans
@jord96cufc: I am so confused, mark bonner back at the club more than happy with that, Harris on the other hand very very sceptical.
@Champ_GFC74: Well, providing they don’t perform the great escape Next seasons games will be fun #gills
@thefamousFroMan: This should be a good pair of appointments. Bonner knows the club inside out and can hopefully take on the DoF role. I always thought Harris would do well for us the first time round, but I was never a fan of him. The way he left us (and timing) means he has a lot to make up for.
@leolewell2: No idea how i feel about harris, good manager for us but fucked us over last time. Bonner however I’m absolutely stoked he’s back what a man come on you u’s MARKY BONNERS AMBER ARMY
@Bethsterr: I’ll take Bonner. He knows the club inside out. Harris though? He fucked us off straight away? Let’s see…
@Andrew_GFC_GTCC: Interesting to see how they go. Bonner come over as a nice knowledgeable guy but nothing improved during his time at the Gills. Harris did not get to finish what he started, but this is a new role for him.
@Mistercbm96: I got say my reaction to this is mixed. I didn’t like when Neil left us in mess an year ago but I gonna give him second chance. Nice to see Mark Bonner back but in different role, let back these two #CamUTD
@AlexGrace12: Talk about a complete 360. All the best to former #Millwall head coach Neil Harris in his new venture.
@jimbohare30: I mean, well, ummm yeah! Where do you start with this…… Confused is probably the best way to describe my feelings right now. I guess we will have to base it on results.💛🖤
@CWells_155074: So Neil Harris has gone from the Championship to League 2, then to League 1, then back to the Championship and now back down to League 1 and possibly back to League 2 again all in the space of 18 months.
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