ANDY Rhodes described it as a dream come true after being appointed assistant manager to Frankie Bunn.

Former Athletic goalkeeper Rhodes played alongside Bunn in the late 1980s and was part of the starting line up in the 1990 League Cup final.

Following a 15-year playing career in which he made over 400 senior appearances he returned to Latics as goalkeeping coach under Andy Ritchie before working with Joe Royle at Ipswich Town as well as a spell at Preston North End.

He joins the club from Sheffield Wednesday where he has held the role as head of goalkeeping since 2010.

Speaking about the appointment, Bunn said: “I am delighted that Andy is here.

“We’ve both got history here, we’ll both work our socks off and we’re going to try and reignite this place.”

Rhodes added: “It’s fantastic, a dream come true. I was here as a player in the great days with some really good people and I was fortunate to come back with Andy Ritchie and Iain Dowie as goalkeeping coach.

“The next progression in your life is to go the managerial side and fortunately Frank asked me to do that and I couldn’t wait to get here.”

Meanwhile, Athletic have added Championship side Nottingham Forest to their list of pre-season friendlies.

The match will take place at Boundary Park on Saturday, July 21 (3pm).