Sunderland boss Roy Keane's hopes of adding Brian Kidd to his staff were dashed when the ex-Manchester United coach agreed to join Sheffield United.
Keane had targeted Kidd, 57, who was once United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man and who also worked with ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Blades boss Neil Warnock told The Independent: "I'm absolutely delighted.
"We needed to bring somebody else in, I've been working on him for six weeks, he's the sort of person we need."
The post at Sheffield United will be Kidd's first since winning a battle with prostate cancer.
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Warnock insists that Stuart McCall's position as his number two will not be compromised by Kidd's arrival.
"He's just an extra body and brain, a very good and experienced one," added Warnock.
"The demands upon me now we are in the Premiership have meant sometimes Stuart has been talking to 26 players on his own.
"That's too much for anyone. We needed to bring somebody in and who could be better than somebody who has seen it all?
"Brian has worked with the best, has a great rapport with players and the other staff will enjoy working with him."
Kidd began his coaching career at Barrow and briefly managed Preston before returning to Old Trafford as youth team coach in 1988.
He stepped up as Ferguson's assistant and spent three years in the role before taking over as manager of Blackburn in 1998.
Kidd lasted a year at Ewood Park but soon returned to coaching with Leeds before being named England number two in 2003.
He was forced to step down before Euro 2004 when diagnosed with prostate cancer.