Jonathan Greening

Jonathan Greening (born 2 January 1979) is an English professional football coach and former player who is currently the manager of Scarborough Athletic of the National League North.

As a player, Greening played as a midfielder.

He began his career in 1996 with York City, but moved to Manchester United in 1998, with whom he won the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League as a non-playing substitute in the final.

He signed with the club's Youth Training Scheme in December 1996 and broke into the first team towards the end of the 1996–97 season, making his debut as substitute in a 1–1 draw away to AFC Bournemouth on 22 March 1997.

Following a four-day trial with Manchester United in February, he signed for the Premier League team on 25 March 1998 for what was understood to be an initial fee of £500,000, which could have potentially risen to £2 million dependent on appearances and international recognition, with a sell-on clause.

He later admitted that he signed for United on £400 a week without looking at the contract.

As an attacking midfielder, he faced massive competition from more established players in both positions and his first-team opportunities were restricted, although he did make the substitute's bench in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final.

He later admitted that he "felt a bit of a fraud" for picking up his winner's medal, having not played a single minute of European football that season.

He did however make a contribution to their victorious FA Cup campaign, coming on as a substitute at half-time in their fifth round tie with future club Fulham.

Greening signed a new contract with United at the end of 1999–2000, but by 2001 he had become frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities, and conceded that he would need to leave the club in order to play regularly.

However, he failed to make a breakthrough in the Manchester United first team and followed United assistant manager Steve McClaren to Middlesbrough in 2001.

During his time at Middlesbrough, Greening earned his first call-up to the England national team, but he did not make an appearance.

On 9 August 2001, Greening joined Middlesbrough for a combined fee of £3 million which saw both him and United teammate Mark Wilson head to Teesside to rejoin former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren, who was by now the manager of Middlesbrough.

Greening remained on Teesside for three seasons, being voted Club Player of the Year for 2002–03 and also being selected for the full England squad (though he did not play).

But his first-team chances were more limited during 2003–04, after which he signed for West Bromwich Albion for an initial fee of £1.25 million.

In 2004, he joined West Bromwich Albion for £1.25 million, and, in 2008, captained the team to the Championship title.

Greening was part of Middlesbrough's 2004 League Cup-winning team, despite not making the squad for the final.

Greening made his Albion debut in a 1–1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the 2004–05 Premier League season, and quickly established himself as a key player in the Baggies' midfield, helping to secure their Premier League survival in his first season.

He was named Albion's Player of the Year in 2005–06, in which he made 41 appearances and scored 2 goals as the club was relegated to the Championship.

He signed a new three-year contract with Albion in August 2007, and was made club captain for 2007–08.

His performances during the campaign led to him being named in the Championship Team of the Week on several occasions.

Greening missed the fifth round FA Cup match at Coventry City due to suspension, but it was the only match he missed during the campaign; he started all 46 league matches and also participated in eight out of nine cup games.

He captained Albion in the FA Cup semi-final, where they lost 1–0 to Portsmouth, and one month later led the team to promotion as winners of the Championship.

Greening was named in the 2007–08 Championship PFA Team of the Year, alongside teammates Paul Robinson and Kevin Phillips.

During the last two months of the season Greening suffered from a double hernia problem but played on until the end of the campaign, when he had an operation to rectify the injury.

Towards the end of 2008–09, Greening said he was looking to sign a new contract with Albion.

Greening signed for Fulham in 2009 and helped them to the 2010 UEFA Europa League final, before signing permanently the following summer.

He was offered a new four-year contract by the club, but instead handed in a transfer request in July 2009.

On 14 July 2009, West Brom rejected a "derisory" bid from Fulham for Greening.

Nevertheless, on 24 August 2009, Greening joined Fulham on a season-long loan for 2009–10, with a view to a permanent move upon completion of the loan period.

He scored his first and only league goal for Fulham against Portsmouth on 3 February 2010.

He also came off the bench in the 2010 UEFA Europa League final defeat against Atlético Madrid.

Greening signed a two-year contract with Fulham on 1 July 2010 after a successful loan spell the previous season.

After signing, he was mainly used as a substitute and was seen as a 'fringe' player.

Under new manager Mark Hughes, he rarely featured, making only 10 league appearances in 2010–11.

He signed for Nottingham Forest in 2011 and had a three-year spell with the club.

Born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, Greening joined the York City youth system at the age of 15.

On 18 July 2011, Greening signed a three-year contract with Championship club Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with manager Steve McClaren for the second time after working with him at both Manchester United and Middlesbrough.

Greening said the move met his desire to seek regular football.

He took up a coaching role with Forest's under-21 team in July 2013, after attaining UEFA 'B' and 'A' Licences over the summer.