Daniel James Schofield (born 10 April 1980) is an English former footballer and manager who is an assistant coach at Central Coast Mariners.
Playing career
Huddersfield Town
Schofield was signed by Huddersfield Town from Brodsworth Welfare for a fee of £2,000 in 1998. Although Schofield made his debut in the 1998–99 season against Crewe Alexandra, his first full season in the team came in the 2001–02 season when he found the net 11 times operating as a striker, since then he had been playing as an attacking right sided midfielder until was moved to the left side of midfield.
On 28 February 2008, it was revealed on Huddersfield Town's official website that Danny had requested a move away from the club.[2] Manager, Andy Ritchie explained his name had been circulated with a view to either a loan switch or permanent deal at the end of the season. Yeovil Town were the favorites to capture his signature, although Chesterfield and Rotherham United did also show interest in the midfielder.
On 26 April, he scored on his last home game for Huddersfield Town against Walsall. Huddersfield won the game 2–0.[3]
Yeovil Town
The day after being officially released by Huddersfield Town, he agreed to join Yeovil Town, with effect from 1 July.[4]
Millwall
On 1 September 2009, Schofield agreed to join League One side Millwall on a two-year deal, after an undisclosed fee was accepted by Yeovil.[5][6]
Rotherham United
At the end of June 2011, Schofield joined League Two club Rotherham United on a free transfer. After not featuring in new Rotherham manager Steve Evans plans for the 2012–13 season,[7] Schofield joined Accrington Stanley on loan for three months on 12 September 2012.[8] He returned to Rotherham United in December 2012, after making 8 appearances on loan. On 13 March 2013, Schofield joined Conference Premier side Stockport County on loan until the end of the season.[9]
After not making an appearance for Rotherham since 2012, Schofield was released at the end of the 2013–14 season.[10]
After a season with Bradford, Schofield joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Mickleover Sports ahead of the 2016–17 season.[14] In his final season as a player Schofield made 22 league appearances for Mickleover.[15]
Coaching career
While still a player with Rotherham United, Schofield began coaching in the Barnsley youth academy working with the under-12s, under-13s and under-14s.[16] In 2015, Schofield then spent a season as a player-coach with National League North club Bradford Park Avenue.[17]
After six months on Teesside, on 3 February 2020, Schofield returned to Huddersfield Town as under-19 coach.[21] After the sacking of Danny Cowley as Huddersfield Town manager, on 20 July 2020, Schofield was appointed as caretaker manager for the Terriers' final Championship fixture of the 2019–20 season.[22][23] On 22 July 2020, Schofield's only match in charge as caretaker manager resulted in a 4–1 away defeat against Millwall.[24] In August 2020, after the appointment of Carlos Corberán as Huddersfield Town head coach Schofield was promoted to work with the first team as professional development coach and to head up the new B team.[25]
Schofield took charge of the team for the first game of the 2021–22 season as Carlos Corberán was isolating after a positive test for COVID-19.[26]
On 7 July 2022, following the resignation of Corberán, Schofield was named as the new head coach of Huddersfield Town, being assisted by Narcís Pèlach.[27] After a run of only one win from his first eight league games, Schofield was relieved of his duties on 14 September 2022.[28]
On 20 October 2022, Schofield was appointed head coach of League Two club Doncaster Rovers on a one-year rolling contract.[29] After Rovers finished 18th in League Two in the 2022–2023 season, Schofield was sacked on 9 May 2023.[30]
On 2 December 2023, Mr. Schofield was announced as the assistant coach at Central Coast. This was announced after he turned down multiple jobs in England, opting to instead join his former colleague at Leeds United, Mark Jackson.[31] He went viral on social media after pulling the middle finger in front of a camera after being sent off for receiving 2 yellow cards in 10 seconds.[32]
Career statistics
Player
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
^Potter, Richard (8 August 2014). "A Good Vibe". halifaxafc.co.uk. F.C Halifax Town. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
^"Avenue Sign Schofield". bpafc.com. Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC. 28 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
^"Sports secure Schofield signing". nonleaguedaily.com. Baltic Publications Limited. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
^"PFA graduates 2016!". ThePFA.com. Professional Footballers' Association. 25 July 2016. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2021.