Former Peterborough United skipper helped mastermind Hull City's promotion to the Premier League

Dean Holden, a popular defender and character who played for Posh 67 times between 2005 & 2007, has been an assistant coach at Hull since returning from a spell working in the Saudi Pro League last summer.

He will now be working in the Premier League in the 2026-27 season after Hull's 1-0 win in a terrible Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley on Saturday.

It was revealed in today’s Daily Mail that Holden was involved in a training routine during which players are encouraged to shoot or cross from what is known as ‘The Pep Zone’ and ‘The Golden Zone.’ An endless study of outgoing Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola’s methods helped Holden introduce his own training plans which have been translated into big gains during matches.

Holden played for many clubs in his own modest career including Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and Falkirk. He has managed Oldham, Bristol City, Stoke City and Charlton.

It’s the League One play-off final between Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County at Wembley on Sunday (1pm kick off). EX-Posh men Malik Mothersille and Tayo Edun should be in the County squad. If Mothersille gets on it would be his fourth Wembley appearance in three seasons for the former Chelsea youngster. He has played in the last three EFL Trophy Finals, twice for Posh in 2024 and 2025 and once for County earlier this season.

Former Posh midfielders Ollie Norburn (Notts County) and Jorge Grant (Salford City) could square off against other in the League Two play-off final at Wembley on Monday (3pm kick off). They were teammates when Posh last played at Championship level in the 2021-22 season.