View source for Kit Symons

{{Short description|Footballer and manager (born 1971)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kit Symons
| image = Kit Symons 2015.jpg
| caption = Symons (front) as manager of [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in 2015
| fullname = Christopher Jerry Symons<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=Squad List: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Wales (WAL) |publisher=FIFA |page=32 |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|3|8|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2004-05">{{cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2004/2005 | year = 2004 | publisher = Queen Anne Press | isbn = 9781852916602 | page = 392 }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Basingstoke]], England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref name="Hugman2004-05"/>
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]]
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
| years1 = 1988–1995
| clubs1 = [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
| caps1 = 160
| goals1 = 10
| years2 = 1995–1998
| clubs2 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| caps2 = 124
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 1998–2001
| clubs3 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
| caps3 = 102
| goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2001–2005
| clubs4 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps4 = 49
| goals4 = 0
| totalcaps = 435
| totalgoals = 27
| nationalyears1 = 1992–2001
| nationalteam1 = [[Wales national football team|Wales]]
| nationalcaps1 = 37
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| manageryears1 = 2003
| managerclubs1 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (caretaker)
| manageryears2 = 2008–2009
| managerclubs2 = [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] (caretaker)
| manageryears3 = 2014–2015
| managerclubs3 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] 
}}
'''Christopher Jerry''' "'''Kit'''" '''Symons''' (born 8 March 1971) is a professional [[association football]] coach and former player who was most recently assistant manager of [[Greek Super League]] side [[Atromitos F.C.|Atromitos]].

As a player, he was a [[Defender (association football)|defender]] who began his career with [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] before playing in the [[Premier League]] with [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]. He earned 36 international caps for [[Wales national football team|Wales]], scoring twice.

Following retirement he has largely worked as a coach, although he was briefly manager of Fulham and had caretaker spells in charge of Crystal Palace and [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]. He has predominantly worked as an assistant to his former teammate [[Chris Coleman (footballer)|Chris Coleman]] with Fulham, Wales, [[Sunderland A.F.C |Sunderland]], [[Hebei F.C. |Hebei FC]] and currently Atromitos.

==Club career==
Symons was born in [[Basingstoke]], [[Hampshire]].<ref name="Hugman2004-05"/> He made more than 100 league appearances for each of his first three clubs – [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]. He played for Fulham until December 2001, when he was signed by [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] for £400,000, the club at which he finished his playing career after 60 senior appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7759|title=Kit Symons|work=Soccerbase|publisher=Centurycomm|access-date=8 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kit completes switch|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2001/december/07/kit-completes-switch|publisher=Fulham F.C|date=7 December 2001|access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>

==International career==
Symons qualified to play for Wales because his father was from [[Cardiff]].<ref name="Sgorio" />
He won 36 caps for [[Wales national football team|Wales]], scoring twice.<ref>[http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=111&player=41 Kit Symons] Holmesdale Online</ref> His first appearance was against the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] on 19 February 1992<ref name="Sgorio">S4C Sgorio [http://www.s4c.co.uk/sgorio/e_/chwefror19 On this day in history: 19 February], 19 February 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.</ref> and his last appearance was on 6 October 2001 against [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]].<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesw/wal-intres00.html Wales international line-ups 2000 to 2005] Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation</ref>

==Coaching and management==
He became [[caretaker manager]] at Palace, and following the subsequent appointment of [[Iain Dowie]] he combined the roles of player and assistant manager, as the club gained promotion to the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/the-teams/academy/academy-staff/kit-symons |title=Kit Symons: Under-21 Coach |work=Academy Staff Profiles |publisher=Fulham F.C |access-date=11 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111144826/http://www.fulhamfc.com/the-teams/academy/academy-staff/kit-symons |archive-date=11 January 2014 }}</ref>

After [[Peter Taylor (footballer, born 1953)|Peter Taylor]] was dismissed as Palace manager on 8 October 2007,<ref name="Crystal Palace boss Taylor sacked">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/7034020.stm |title=Crystal Palace boss Taylor sacked |work=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2007 |access-date=26 January 2016}}</ref> Symons was confirmed as caretaker manager before the appointment of [[Neil Warnock]] three days later.<ref name="Warnock aims to fly high with Eagles">{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/warnock-aims-to-fly-high-with-eagles-1-1344298 |title=Warnock aims to fly high with Eagles |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |date=11 October 2007 |access-date=26 January 2016}}</ref> Palace did not play during this time.<ref name="Results/matches: 2007/08">{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=646&teamTabs=results&season_id=137 |title=Results/matches: 2007/08 |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=26 January 2016}}</ref> Following Warnock's appointment, Symons stepped down from his position of assistant manager and left the club on 15 October 2007.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/7045057.stm Symons leaves Crystal Palace post] BBC Sport, 15 October 2007</ref>

Symons joined [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] on 16 January 2008 following [[Micky Adams]]' resignation as assistant manager the previous week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cu-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10424~1216987,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415075307/http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0%2C%2C10424~1216987%2C00.html |archive-date=15 April 2012 |title=Exclusive: Symons Is U's Number Two |publisher=Colchester United FC |date=17 January 2008 |access-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was appointed as Colchester's caretaker manager on 22 September 2008 after the departure of [[Geraint Williams]].<ref name="Exclusive: Kit Takes Caretaker Role">{{cite news|url=http://www.cu-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10424~1400279,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415075442/http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0%2C%2C10424~1400279%2C00.html |archive-date=15 April 2012 |title=Exclusive: Kit Takes Caretaker Role |publisher=Colchester United F.C |date=22 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He led the club to two wins in five games,<ref name="Managerial Record"/> in the process becoming the bookie's favourite to get the job full-time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/symons_is_favourite_for_u_s_top_job_1_166946|title=Symons is favourite for U's top job|work=Green Un|access-date=31 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031041219/http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/symons_is_favourite_for_u_s_top_job_1_166946|archive-date=31 October 2014}}</ref> However, he left the club after [[Paul Lambert]] took over as manager on 9 October 2008.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.colchester.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=127862 | title=Lambert Brings in Number Two | publisher=Vital Colchester | date=10 October 2008 | access-date=6 June 2015}}</ref>

Symons was subsequently employed by [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] as Senior Scout and Academy Coach.<ref>[http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2009/november/03/kit-symons Senior Scout and Academy coach Kit Symons discusses his return to the Club and his targets for the future…] Fulham FC.com</ref>

In January 2012 Symons was appointed to the [[Wales national football team|Wales national team]] coaching staff under team manager [[Chris Coleman (footballer)|Chris Coleman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16745578.stm|title=Symons joins Wales staff|work=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref>

On 18 September 2014, Symons was confirmed as caretaker manager of Fulham following the departure of [[Felix Magath]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29261059|title=Felix Magath: Struggling Fulham sack manager after poor start|work=BBC Sport|date=18 September 2014|access-date=18 September 2014}}</ref> On 29 October 2014, after a string of good results (5 wins in 9 games), Symons was announced as the full-time manager of Fulham.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kit Symons Appointed First Team Manager|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/october/29/symons-appointed|publisher=Fulham F.C|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref> Symons stated that it was "no secret this is a club that is very close to my heart and this is a job I've always really wanted to do."<ref name="fulham">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29835792|title=Kit Symons: Fulham appointment a 'fantastic opportunity'|work=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref> Khan also stated that Symons' "passion for everything that Fulham represents came through loud and clear."<ref name="fulham"/>

In July 2015, Symons resigned his position with the Wales national team to concentrate on his role with Fulham.<ref name=wales2>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36828905| title=Kit Symons: Former Fulham manager returns to Wales coaching role| date=26 August 2016| work=BBC Sport| access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref>

Symons was dismissed by Fulham on 8 November 2015, the day after a 5–2 defeat by [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] at [[Craven Cottage]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34760567|title=Kit Symons: Fulham sack manager after Birmingham defeat|work=BBC Sport|date=8 November 2015|access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref>

Symons rejoined Wales as coach in August 2016.<ref name=wales2/> On 17 November 2017, Symons left his coaching role with Wales following the resignation of Chris Coleman.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42033068| title=Chris Coleman leaves Wales role for Sunderland job| work=BBC Sport|date=17 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> On 19 November 2017, Symons was announced as assistant manager at [[Sunderland A.F.C|Sunderland]] following Coleman's appointment as manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42036617|title=Chris Coleman: Sunderland name ex-Wales boss as manager|date=19 November 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref> Both were released from their contracts after Sunderland's relegation to [[Football League One|League One]] was confirmed.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Club Statement: Chris Coleman | work = Sunderland A.F.C. | date = 29 April 2018 | access-date = 29 April 2018 | url = https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2018/april/club-statement}}</ref> In June 2018, after Coleman's appointment as manager of [[Hebei China Fortune F.C.|Hebei China Fortune]], Symons again joined him as assistant.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sunderland 'the right club at the wrong time,' says Chris Coleman |last=Rayner |first=Stuart |work=ChronicleLive |date=29 April 2018 |access-date=16 March 2019 |url= https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-coleman-says-sunderland-were-14875637 }}</ref>

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|8 November 2015}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (caretaker)
|align=left|3 November 2003
|align=left|22 December 2003
{{WDL|9|3|3|3|decimals=1}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/3335971.stm |title=Dowie handed Palace reins |work=BBC Sport |date=22 December 2003 |access-date=26 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Managers: Kit Symons">{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1883 |title=Managers: Kit Symons |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=26 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|Crystal Palace (caretaker)
|align=left|8 October 2007
|align=left|11 October 2007
{{WDL|0|0|0|0|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Crystal Palace boss Taylor sacked"/><ref name="Warnock aims to fly high with Eagles"/><ref name="Results/matches: 2007/08"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] (caretaker)
|align=left|22 September 2008
|align=left|11 October 2008
{{WDL|5|2|0|3|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Exclusive: Kit Takes Caretaker Role"/><ref name="Managerial Record">{{cite web | url=http://www.coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Club%20Stats/ManagerialRecord.html | title=Managerial Record | publisher=Colchester United Day by Day | access-date=6 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/7663950.stm |title=No job for Symons at Colchester |work=BBC Sport |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=26 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
|align=left|18 September 2014
|align=left|8 November 2015
{{WDL|64|22|17|25|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Managers: Kit Symons"/>
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
{{WDLtot|78|27|20|31|decimals=1}}
!
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Soccerbase}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 = 
{{Crystal Palace F.C. managers}}
{{Colchester United F.C. managers}}
{{Fulham F.C. managers}}
}}
{{Portsmouth F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{Portsmouth F.C. Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Symons, Kit}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Basingstoke]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Welsh men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Portsmouth F.C. players]]
[[Category:Manchester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Wales men's international footballers]]
[[Category:English football managers]]
[[Category:Welsh football managers]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Colchester United F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. managers]]
[[Category:English Football League managers]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Colchester United F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Sunderland A.F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Association football coaches]]
[[Category:Association football scouts]]