Matthew Etherington

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Matthew Etherington

| image = Matt Etherington at the Boleyn Ground 2015.jpg

| caption = Etherington in 2015

| fullname = Matthew Etherington{{Cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=142 }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|8|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Truro, England

| height = 1.78 m{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~6059,00.html|title = Premier League Player Profile|access-date = 24 April 2011|publisher=Premier League}}

| position = Left winger

| currentclub = Southampton (Under-21 assistant)

| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Falmouth Town

| youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Peterborough United

| years1 = 1997–2000 |clubs1 = Peterborough United |caps1 = 51 |goals1 = 6

| years2 = 2000–2003 |clubs2 = Tottenham Hotspur |caps2 = 45 |goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2001 |clubs3 = → Bradford City (loan) |caps3 = 13 |goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2003–2009 |clubs4 = West Ham United |caps4 = 165 |goals4 = 16

| years5 = 2009–2014 |clubs5 = Stoke City |caps5 = 152 |goals5 = 13

| totalcaps = 426 |totalgoals = 37

| nationalyears1 = 1997–1998 |nationalteam1 = England U16 |nationalcaps1 = 5 |nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1999 |nationalteam2 = England U18 |nationalcaps2 = 3 |nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 1999 |nationalteam3 = England U20 |nationalcaps3 = 3 |nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2002 |nationalteam4 = England U21 |nationalcaps4 = 3 |nationalgoals4 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2022 |managerclubs1 = Peterborough United (caretaker)

| manageryears2 = 2022 |managerclubs2 = Crawley Town

| manageryears3 = 2023–2024 |managerclubs3 = Colchester United

}}

Matthew Etherington (born 14 August 1981) is an English professional football manager and former footballer who is currently Under-21 assistant at Southampton. As a player, Etherington played as a winger, most notably in the Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Stoke City.

Born in Truro, Cornwall, Etherington began his footballing career at Peterborough United and was a stand-out performer for the Posh, which attracted the attention of Premier League clubs. He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2000, along with Simon Davies. He struggled at Tottenham and left for West Ham United in 2003. At the East London club, Etherington showed his true form and became a vital player for the Hammers. However, he had personal problems related to an addiction to gambling and in 2009 was sold by manager Gianfranco Zola to fellow Premier League side Stoke City.

At Stoke, Etherington became a vital member of the side under manager Tony Pulis, winning the player of the year award for the 2009–10 season and also played in the 2011 FA Cup final. Etherington remained a regular under Pulis in 2011–12 and 2012–13 before he was released by Mark Hughes at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Club career

=Peterborough United=

Born in Truro, Cornwall, Etherington came through the youth ranks at Peterborough United after being spotted by Barry Fry playing for Falmouth Town under-14s.{{cite web|title=Etherington thanks his former Falmouth PE teachers with VIP trip to Stoke City|url=http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/sport/9617465.Etherington_thanks_his_former_Falmouth_PE_teachers_with_VIP_trip_to_Stoke_City/?|work=The Falmouth Packet|access-date=28 March 2012}} He made his debut in the Football League aged 15 years and 262 days in a 2–1 win at Brentford on 3 May 1997.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10758 |title=Matthew Etherington |website=Soccerbase |access-date=27 June 2007 }} He made a further two appearances in the following season but made his breakthrough into the first team in 1998–99 when he made 33 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals. He went on trial at Manchester United in July 1999, but at the end of December 1999, he joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that valued him at £500,000. He made a total of 58 appearances for Peterborough in all competitions, scoring six goals.

=Tottenham Hotspur=

Etherington joined Tottenham in a move that saw Simon Davies join the North London club as part of the same deal. Etherington struggled to establish himself during his three-year stint at Spurs and, in 2001, spent two months on loan to Bradford City,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1615643.stm "Etherington joins Bradford"], BBC Sport, 23 October 2001. Retrieved 27 June 2007. where he made 13 appearances and scored one goal, against Watford.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1619862.stm|title=Bradford 4–3 Watford|website=BBC Sport |date=27 October 2001 |access-date=26 September 2009}}

Having only started five Premier League matches since arriving from Peterborough in 1999, he handed in a transfer request in June 2002, saying he decided his career would be best served away from Spurs.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2073093.stm "Etherington wants move"], BBC Sport, 28 June 2002. Retrieved 2007. However, no transfer was forthcoming, and he broke into the first team during the 2002–03 season, when he made 25 appearances. despite a lay-off with an ankle injury.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2815049.stm "Spurs set for Etherington talks"], BBC Sport, 3 March 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2007. He scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–2 draw with Everton on 17 August 2002.{{cite news|last=Corrigan|first=James|title=Everton see the light with Rooney|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-see-the-light-with-rooney-640258.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-see-the-light-with-rooney-640258.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |work=The Independent|access-date=28 October 2010|date=18 August 2002|location=London}}

In August 2003, Etherington joined West Ham United in an exchange deal plus cash for Frédéric Kanouté amid a formal complaint made to the FA by Peterborough at the valuation placed on Etherington, who would have benefited from a sell-off clause had it been greater than £500,000, the price at which Peterborough sold Etherington to Tottenham in 1999.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3132293.stm "Posh lodge Etherington complaint"], BBC Sport, 7 August 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2007. Etherington made 51 appearances for Tottenham, 28 of these as a substitute, scoring two goals against Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1799952.stm|title=Slick Spurs thrash Bolton|website=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2002 |access-date=26 September 2009}} and Everton in the Premier League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2196568.stm|title=Radzinski rescues Everton|website=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2002 |access-date=26 September 2009}}

=West Ham United=

Etherington joined West Ham at the beginning of their two-year spell in the second-tier of English football, playing the final season of the First Division and the first of the Championship. Signed by manager Glenn Roeder, he was part of a transfer deal which saw West Ham player Frédéric Kanouté move to Tottenham and Etherington and £3.5 million coming to West Ham.{{cite web |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20030805/glenn-on-signing_2236884_1135674 |title=Glenn on signing |website=whufc.com |date=5 August 2003 |access-date=4 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208145701/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20030805/glenn-on-signing_2236884_1135674 |archive-date=8 December 2014 }} Etherington's West Ham debut came on 9 August 2003 as he created the chance for David Connolly to score West Ham's winning goal in a 2–1 away win at Preston North End.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2409281/Hammers-struggle-to-victory.html |title=Hammers struffle to victory |work=The Telegraph |date=9 August 2003 |access-date=5 December 2014 }} His opening goal came just over a month later, on 16 September 2003. Now under the managership of Trevor Brooking, following the sacking of Glenn Roeder, West Ham beat Crewe Alexandra 3–0 at Gresty Road in the first ever Football League meeting between the clubs, with Etherington scoring the third goal.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/17/match.sport2 |title=Quick-fire Hammers give Brooking reason to linger |work=The Guardian |date=17 September 2003 |access-date=5 December 2014 |last=Milledge |first=Andrew }} His only red card during his West Ham career was in a 1–1 away draw with Norwich City on 21 February 2004 when he was sent off for two bookable offences.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3482025.stm |title=Norwich 1-1 West Ham United |date=21 February 2004 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 December 2014 }}

Etherington was a hit at Upton Park, scoring several goals including a hat-trick in a 5–0 win over Wimbledon on 9 March 2004.{{cite web|title=West Ham 5-0 Wimbledon|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3535727.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 June 2013|date=9 March 2004}} He won the "Hammer of the Year" award in his first season at the club and played a significant part in helping the club get to the 2004 Championship play-off final by scoring in the 2–0 win over Ipswich Town in the second leg of the play-off semi-final.{{cite web|title=West Ham reach final|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3713951.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 June 2013|date=18 May 2004}} Etherington played in the final as West Ham lost 1–0 to Crystal Palace.{{cite web|title=Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3750773.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 June 2013|date=29 May 2004}}

The following year, West Ham reached the play-off final again, with Etherington setting up the goal in the final against Preston North End with a perfectly timed cross which was scored by Bobby Zamora, which sent West Ham back into the Premier League.{{cite web|title=West Ham 1-0 Preston|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4573799.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 June 2013|date=30 May 2005}} In 2005–06, West Ham made the FA Cup final before losing on penalties to Liverpool. Etherington scored in the 4–2, fourth round win against Blackburn Rovers and played in the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in May 2005.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4634310.stm |title=West Ham United 4-2 Blackburn Rovers |date=28 January 2006 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 December 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4756045.stm |title=Liverpool 3-3 West Ham United |date=13 May 2006 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 December 2014 }} He was a regular member of the team for seasons 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06, his appearances being more sporadic in the following three seasons. Etherington eventually lost his place in the starting XI due to Gianfranco Zola's preference to play younger players. He completed 195 games for West Ham, in all competitions, scoring 18 goals,{{Cite web|url=http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=2&ham=774&united=Matthew_Etherington|title=Matthew Etherington|website=www.westhamstats.info}} before being sold to Stoke City on 8 January 2009.

=Stoke City=

File:Matthew Etherington.jpg in 2009]]

On 8 January 2009, Etherington completed a transfer, thought to be for £2 million, from West Ham United to Stoke City, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7814510.stm|title=Etherington completes Stoke move|date=8 January 2009|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} He made his debut for Stoke two days after his transfer, against Liverpool in the Premier League, in a match which finished goalless.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7808360.stm|title=Stoke 0–0 Liverpool|date=10 January 2009|access-date=10 January 2009|website=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty}} He was sent off in his fifth game with Stoke for kicking out at Danny Collins as his side lost 2–0 to Sunderland.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7867082.stm |title=Sunderland 2–0 Stoke|date=7 February 2009|access-date=7 February 2009|website=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=Dawkes}} He scored his first goal for Stoke in a 4–3 League Cup win over Blackpool on 22 September 2009.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8256916.stm|title=Stoke 4–3 Blackpool|website=BBC|date=22 September 2009 |access-date=26 September 2009}} Etherington scored his first League goal for Stoke in a 2–2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news|title=Stoke 2–2 Wolverhampton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8329896.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2009|access-date=5 June 2013}} Etherington went on to have a successful season for Stoke which led him to win the player of the year award.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8656808.stm|title=Matthew Etherington named Stoke's player of the year |access-date=5 May 2010 |website=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2010}} Etherington signed a new four-year contract with Stoke on 11 July 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2089230,00.html |title=New Four Year Deal For Etherington |access-date=11 July 2010 |publisher=Stoke City FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713043929/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10310~2089230%2C00.html |archive-date=13 July 2010 }}

Etherington started the 2010–11 season in fine form providing a number of assists from corners and left midfield. He scored his first goal of the season in a 3–0 win over West Bromwich Albion and followed this up by scoring a last minute equaliser against Manchester City a week later and then scored another against Wigan Athletic.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9192064.stm|title=West Brom 0–3 Stoke |access-date=1 December 2010 |website=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2010}}{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9221210.stm|title=Stoke 1–1 Man City |access-date=1 December 2010 |website=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2010}} He scored the opening goal in the FA Cup semi-final as Stoke defeated Bolton Wanderers 5–0, clinching a first FA Cup Final appearance in their 148-year history.{{cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10310~55033,00.html |title=Rampant City Make History |access-date=18 April 2011 |publisher=Stoke City FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523051613/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10310~55033%2C00.html |archive-date=23 May 2011 }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9457501.stm|title=Bolton 0 - 5 Stoke|access-date=18 April 2011|website=BBC Sport|date=17 April 2011}} Etherington described the performance as the match of their lives.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9461052.stm|title=It was the game of our lives - Stoke's Matt Etherington|access-date=18 April 2011|website=BBC Sport|date=17 April 2011}} On 28 April, in a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Etherington tore his hamstring, leaving him in doubt for the FA Cup Final.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13202192.stm|title=Stoke's Etherington in race to make FA Cup final|access-date=28 April 2011|website=BBC Sport|date=28 April 2011}} He ultimately regained fitness for the final as Stoke lost 1–0 to Manchester City.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14097850.stm|title=Stoke winger Matthew Etherington back to full fitness|access-date=18 July 2011|website=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2011}}

In the 2011–12 season, Etherington was again the club's only recognised left winger and he scored twice against his old club Tottenham on 11 December 2011.{{cite news|title=Stoke 2 - 1 Tottenham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16021626|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 February 2012}} After some indifferent performances, he has admitted his form has dipped since the previous season.{{cite news|title=My form has dipped, admits Stoke's Matthew Etherington|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16943279|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 February 2012}} He made his 100th Premier League appearance for Stoke against Fulham on 11 February 2012.{{cite web|title=Etherington Aiming For Landmark |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2604279,00.html |work=Stoke City F.C |access-date=11 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209222427/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10310~2604279%2C00.html |archive-date=9 February 2012 }} He scored the winning goal against Norwich City on 3 March 2012.{{cite news|title=Stoke 1-0 Norwich|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17162889|work=BBC Sport|access-date=1 November 2012}} Etherington lost his place in Tony Pulis' starting line up at the start of the 2012–13 season due to the signing of Michael Kightly, which restricted him to making cameo appearances from the substitutes' bench.{{cite web|title=Matthew Etherington in line for Norwich start|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-17211189-detail/story.html?|work=The Sentinel|access-date=1 November 2012}} He regained his starting place in November 2012.{{cite web|title=Etherington poised to wing it as Kightly faces axe|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Stoke-City-Etherington-poised-wing-Kightly-faces/story-17275683-detail/story.html|work=The Sentinel|access-date=1 December 2012}} However, Etherington struggled with form and fitness throughout the campaign.{{cite web|title=Matthew Etherington and Marc Wilson could be out for season|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-18788672-detail/story.html?#axzz2RBWczj7F|work=The Sentinel|access-date=24 April 2013}} He made 33 appearances in 2012–13 as Stoke finished in 13th position and the end of the season, Tony Pulis left the club and was replaced by Mark Hughes.

Hughes changed the team's style of play for the 2013–14 season, and while Etherington stated Stoke had adapted well, a lack of goals was still a concern.{{cite web|title=Premier League: Matthew Etherington says Stoke must score goals|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8976485/?|work=Sky Sports|access-date=17 October 2013}} As the season progressed, Etherington lost his place in the side to Oussama Assaidi.{{cite web|title=Matthew Etherington ready in last chance saloon against Manchester City|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Matthew-Etherington-ready-chance/story-20673131-detail/story.html|work=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305162754/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Matthew-Etherington-ready-chance/story-20673131-detail/story.html|archive-date=5 March 2014}} Etherington left Stoke at the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|title=Stoke City: "I'm off in the summer" says Matthew Etherington|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-m-summer-says-Matthew-Etherington/story-20785544-detail/story.html|work=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=2 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418055431/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-m-summer-says-Matthew-Etherington/story-20785544-detail/story.html|archive-date=18 April 2014}}{{cite web|title=Stoke City: Matty Etherington ready for Britannia swansong|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Matty-Etherington-ready-Britannia/story-21047703-detail/story.html?|work=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=2 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503072841/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Matty-Etherington-ready-Britannia/story-21047703-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 May 2014}}

After leaving Stoke, Etherington began training with Millwall and had an offer from manager Ian Holloway to join the club.{{cite web |url=http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/04/29/dl-former-west-ham-midfielder-matty-etherington-turned-down-mill/ |title=Former West Ham midfielder 'thanks God' he turned down Millwall |website=Hereisthecity.com |date=29 April 2015 |access-date=30 April 2015}} However, he turned it down and announced his decision to retire from football in December 2014, due to a back injury which he had been suffering from for some time.{{cite web|title=Matthew Etherington announces retirement|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Matthew-Etherington-announces/story-25098513-detail/story.html?|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=3 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804222758/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Matthew-Etherington-announces/story-25098513-detail/story.html|archive-date=4 August 2015}}

International career

Etherington appeared for the England Under-20 team at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup, playing alongside players such as Stuart Taylor, Ashley Cole, Peter Crouch and Andy Johnson. However, the team failed to score a single goal in their three group matches, and finished bottom of their group.

Coaching career

In May 2018, Etherington was announced as manager of the under-18 team at Peterborough United, rejoining the club where he started his career over 20 years earlier.{{Cite web |title=Former Peterborough United star comes home to coach youth side |website=ITV News |date=17 May 2018 |access-date=20 May 2018 |url=http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2018-05-17/former-peterborough-united-star-comes-home-to-coach-youth-side/}}

On 12 November 2021, Etherington was made assistant manager at Peterborough following the departure of Mark Robson.{{cite web |title=Robson Departs For Hammers Under 23s |url=https://www.theposh.com/news/2021/november/robson-departs-for-hammers-under-23s/ |website=Peterborough United |access-date=12 November 2021}} Following the departure of Darren Ferguson as manager, Etherington became interim manager of the club on 22 February 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60480085|title=Etherington to lead Posh at Fulham|work=BBC Sport|date=22 February 2022}} He led the team in a 2–1 loss at leaders Fulham the following day,{{cite news |title=Marco Silva hails record-breaking Aleksandar Mitrovic in win over Peterborough |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/marco-silva-hails-record-breaking-aleksandar-mitrovic-in-win-over-peterborough-1645658025000 |access-date=22 December 2022 |work=FourFourTwo |date=23 February 2022}} and Grant McCann was permanently appointed the day after that.{{cite news |title=Grant McCann: Peterborough United reappoint former Hull City boss for second spell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60488116 |access-date=22 December 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2022}}

On 27 November 2022, he was appointed as the manager of 19th-placed EFL League Two club Crawley Town, succeeding interim boss Lewis Young. He named his former Peterborough and Tottenham teammate Simon Davies as his assistant.{{cite web |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town-reveal-new-manager-former-tottenham-hotspur-west-ham-and-peterborough-united-star-takes-over-at-reds-with-ex-teammate-as-assistant-3933146 |title=Reds' new manager revealed - former Spurs, Hammers and Posh star takes over Reds with ex-teammate as assistant |date=27 November 2022 |first=Mark |last=Dunford }} On 3 December, the team won 2–0 at home to Swindon Town on his first game in charge.{{cite news |title=Crawley Town 2–0 Swindon Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63765069 |access-date=22 December 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2022}} On 29 December, Etherington and Davies departed the club after just three matches that saw one victory and two defeats. In the statement announcing their departure, Crawley's CEO Chris Galley said that the partnership was not the right fit to carry the club forward.{{cite news |title=Club statement: Matthew Etherington & Simon Davies |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2022/december/club-statement--matthew-etherington--simon-davies/ |website=crawleytownfc.com |date=29 December 2022 |accessdate=29 December 2022 }}

In June 2023, Etherington was appointed under-21 lead coach at League Two club Colchester United.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/june/etherington-on-board/|title=Etherington Named New U21 Lead Coach|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=28 June 2023|accessdate=16 October 2023}} Following the departure of Ben Garner in October 2023, he was appointed caretaker manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/october/etherington-in-interim-charge/|title=Etherington Place In Interim Charge|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=23 October 2023|accessdate=23 October 2023}} Having already overseen a match in interim control, he had to step down from his position following a contract dispute between Colchester and Etherington's former club Crawley. Crawley Town had claimed that he was still under contract until May 2024 and that if he oversaw their fixture against Accrington Stanley, a buy-out fee would be owed.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/october/statement-from-the-chairman/|title=Club Statement|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=27 October 2023|accessdate=29 October 2023}} He was reinstated as interim head coach on 31 October.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/october/head-coach-update/|title=Head Coach Update|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=31 October 2023|accessdate=1 November 2023}} He was given the job on a permanent basis on 16 November, having picked up ten points from four matches during his interim spell in charge.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/november/head-coach-appointed/|title=U's Appoint Etherington|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=16 November 2023|accessdate=16 November 2023}} On 1 January 2024, Etherington was sacked following a 1–0 defeat to Gillingham, adding to a poor run of eight losses in nine matches in his spell as permanent manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2024/january/club-statement/|title=Club Statement|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=1 January 2024|accessdate=1 January 2024}}

In February 2024, Etherington returned to Colchester United and was appointed under-21 lead coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2024/march/u21s-bristol-report/ |title=U's Smash Bristol City|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=8 March 2024|accessdate=9 March 2024}}

On 23 September 2024, he joined Southampton as under-21 assistant.{{Cite web |last=Rees-Julian |first=George |date=23 September 2024 |title=Southampton appoint new academy manager and under-21s assistant |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24604602.southampton-appoint-new-academy-manager-under-21s-assistant/ |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Southern Daily Echo}}

Personal life

Etherington had a gambling addiction while he was at West Ham, who issued him a £300,000 loan after he accumulated debts in excess of £800,000.{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Stuart |title=Matthew Etherington is paying back Stoke City in more ways than one |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/29/matthew-etherington-stoke-help-debts |access-date=22 January 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=29 October 2010}} He also spent time at Tony Adams' Sporting Chance Clinic.{{cite news |title=Etherington in gambling admission |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6392549.stm |access-date=22 January 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2007}} Matthew's father, Peter, has thanked Stoke City for saving his son's career and helping him to combat his gambling addiction.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Stoke-City-Matt-Etherington-s-dad-hails-Stoke-saving-son-s-career/article-2910323-detail/article.html|title=Matt Etherington's dad hails Stoke for saving son's career |access-date=18 November 2010 |website=thisisstaffordshire.co.uk}} In 2015, Etherington spoke to BBC journalist Victoria Derbyshire concerning the impact of gambling on professional footballers. His own debts caused by gambling throughout his career were reported as £1.5 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-34645549|title=The Premier League star who gambled millions|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} He grew up supporting Liverpool.Stoke City Official Matchday Magazine 29 January 2013 v Wigan Athletic

Career statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{cite web\|title=Matthew Etherington\|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10758\|work=Soccerbase\|access-date=30 May 2013}}
rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Europe !colspan="2"\|Other{{ref label\|Other\|A

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{cite web|title=Matthew Etherington|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10758|work=Soccerbase|access-date=30 May 2013}}

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|FA Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Other{{ref label|Other|A

}

!colspan="2"|Total

!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

|rowspan="5"|Peterborough United

|1996–97{{cite web|title=Games played by Matthew Etherington in 1996/1997|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=18827&season_id=129|work=Soccerbase|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Second Division

|1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0

|1997–98{{Soccerbase season|10758|1997|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Third Division

|2||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||2||0

|1998–99{{Soccerbase season|10758|1998|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Third Division

|29||3||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|Appearances in Football League Trophy}}||0||33||3

|1999–2000{{Soccerbase season|10758|1999|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Third Division

|19||3||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||22||3

!colspan="2"|Total

!51!!6!!3!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!58!!6

|rowspan="5"|Tottenham Hotspur

|1999–2000

|Premier League

|5||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5||0

|2000–01{{Soccerbase season|10758|2000|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|6||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||8||0

|2001–02{{Soccerbase season|10758|2001|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|11||0||1||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||1

|2002–03{{Soccerbase season|10758|2002|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|23||1||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||1

!colspan="2"|Total

!45!!1!!2!!1!!4!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!51!!2

|Bradford City (loan)

|2001–02

|First Division

|13||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||1

|rowspan="7"|West Ham United

|2003–04{{Soccerbase season|10758|2003|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|First Division

|35||5||4||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in First Division play-offs}}||1||45||6

|2004–05{{Soccerbase season|10758|2004|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Championship

|39||4||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in Championship play-offs}}||0||44||4

|2005–06{{Soccerbase season|10758|2005|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|33||2||7||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||40||3

|2006–07{{Soccerbase season|10758|2006|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|27||0||1||0||1||0||1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Cup}}||0||colspan="2"|—||30||0

|2007–08{{Soccerbase season|10758|2007|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|18||3||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||3

|2008–09{{Soccerbase season|10758|2008|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|13||2||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||2

!colspan="2"|Total

!165!!16!!15!!1!!8!!0!!1!!0!!6!!1!!195!!18

|rowspan="7"|Stoke City

|2008–09

|Premier League

|14||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||0

|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|10758|2009|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|34||5||3||1||1||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||7

|2010–11{{Soccerbase season|10758|2010|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|32||5||6||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||40||6

|2011–12{{Soccerbase season|10758|2011|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|30||3||2||0||2||0||6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||40||3

|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|10758|2012|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|31||0||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||0

|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|10758|2013|name=Matthew Etherington|access-date=30 May 2013}}

|Premier League

|11||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||0

!colspan="2"|Total

!152!!13!!13!!2!!6!!1!!6!!0!!0!!0!!177!!16

!colspan="3"|Career total

!426!!37!!33!!4!!20!!1!!7!!0!!8!!1!!494!!43

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="5"\|Record
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align="left"\|Peterborough United \|align="left"\|22 February 2022 \|align="left"\|25 February 2022 {{WDL\|1\|0\|0\|1\|decimals=2}} \|{{Cite web\|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=6015\|title=Matthew Etherington \| Latest Betting Odds \| Soccer Base\|website=www.soccerbase.com}}
align="left"\|Crawley Town \|align="left"\|27 November 2022 \|align="left"\|29 December 2022 {{WDL\|3\|1\|0\|2\|decimals=2}} \|
align="left"\|Colchester United \|align="left"\|22 October 2023 \|align="left"\|1 January 2024 {{WDL\|16\|5\|1\|10\|decimals=2}} \|
colspan="3"\|Total {{WDLtot\|20\|6\|1\|13\|decimals=2}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="5"|Record

align="left"|Peterborough United

|align="left"|22 February 2022

|align="left"|25 February 2022

|{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=6015|title=Matthew Etherington | Latest Betting Odds | Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}}

align="left"|Crawley Town

|align="left"|27 November 2022

|align="left"|29 December 2022

align="left"|Colchester United

|align="left"|22 October 2023

|align="left"|1 January 2024

colspan="3"|Total

Honours

West Ham United

FA Cup runner-up: 2005–06
Football League Championship play-offs: 2005

Stoke City

FA Cup runner-up: 2010–11

Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 1998–99 Third Division{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The 1999–2000 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=1999 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=Harpenden |isbn=978-1-85291-607-7 |page=352}}
West Ham United Player of the Year: 2003–04
Stoke City Player of the Year: 2009–10