Former Norwich City coach Ian Crook has rejoined Sydney FC as Steve Corica's assistant for the club's 2010-11 National Youth League campaign. The 47-year-old Crook left the Canaries at the end of the season after 15 months as part of the management team to return to Australia.

Former Norwich City coach Ian Crook has rejoined Sydney FC as Steve Corica's assistant for the club's 2010-11 National Youth League campaign.

The 47-year-old Crook left the Canaries at the end of the season after 15 months as part of the management team to return to Australia.

He assisted Pierre Littbarksi to Sydney FC's first piece of silverware in 2005-06, and returns to the club after managerial roles with Japanese side Avispa Fukuoaka and Newcastle Jets.

“It's been great returning but there have been a lot of changes in the time that I have been away,” Crook said. “The club has a new set-up with the training ground and the facilities there are magnificent.

“Steve has had a glittering career as a player so I'm looking forward to working with him. He's been looking at players to bring in and I have too since coming back several weeks ago.

“We're gradually putting a squad together that will hopefully someday push into the first team and give a future to the club.

“I'm sure we will both learn from each other as well as help the boys improve. I'm looking forward to getting back into work now.”

Crook made 418 appearances for City between 1986 and 1997, scoring 24 goals, and began his coaching career as an assistant with Northern Spirit in 1999, where he spent two seasons.

He took his first head coaching role in Australia as manager of Newcastle Jets in the now defunct National Soccer League and enjoyed immediate success, taking them from the bottom to the top end of the table and receiving Coach of the Year honours.

In 2004 Crook took charge of football minnows American Samoa before taking an assistant role with the Australia Under-20 side. Then in 2005 he joined Sydney FC and was part of the Sky Blues' winning coaching staff.

“We were fortunate to have so many memorable moments in that first year,” Crook said.

“Right from the beginning the club had the qualifiers for the Oceania Club Championship which we went on to win. This and other things culminating in the A-League grandfinal, a thoroughly enjoyable day that I won't forget.

"I enjoyed my time overseas. I've definitely improved as a person and a coach.”

Crook, currently undertaking a coaching supervisory position with Sydney Olympic, and Corica have secured a host of players for the new season.