Tony Humes’ return to Colchester United as their new Director of Football is a good move for the club.

That is the view of U’s manager Kevin Keen, who has welcomed his predecessor’s appointment at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Humes, who left his role as Colchester’s first-team boss last November, will officially start in his new position next Monday after agreeing to take over as the club’s first-ever Director of Football.

Humes will work alongside new football operations manager Tony Ashby and will be tasked with presiding all football matters at the League One club.

They will work closely with Keen, covering aspects such as player contracts, player recruitment and the academy.

Keen said: “I look forward to a good relationship with Tony – I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and I think it’s a good move for the club and a good move for us to go forward in the future.

“It’s a process I’ve been involved in – I’m the manager of the football club.

“I think it’s really good.

“We’ve had one or two meetings and Robbie (Cowling) wants someone he can trust to control and run the club in the manner he would see fit and I think Tony’s the perfect choice for that.

“I am very much a coach – I’m currently the manager of the football club and I’m happy being the manager.

“We just need to tweak one or two bits and pieces – it’s new for Colchester so we’ll see as we go along.”

Keen has plenty of experience of working under a Director of Football.

During his time as Liverpool’s first-team coach, the U’s boss was part of the coaching team presided over by Damien Comolli.

And as assistant manager to Steve Clarke at Reading he worked closely with well-respected Director of Football, Nicky Hammond.

“The Reading model under Nicky Hammond has worked magnificently well for probably 15 years now so there’s no problem with it – it’s very much a modern-day thing,” said Keen.

“There are so many things that go on at a football club now, from recruitment, to contracts, to commercial aspects.

“It’s difficult for a manager to cover all of those bases so I welcome Tony and I’m sure we’ll have a good relationship and things will be good.”