Robbie Cowling says his third appointment as Colchester United Chairman, new manager John Ward, is the ‘best man` to replace Aidy Boothroyd.
Ward is Cowling`s third boss in twenty months following first Paul Lambert and then Boothroyd as successor to Geraint Williams and has a wealth of coaching experience.
Cowling explained that initial telephone conversations with around ten other interested applicants for the U`s post did not lead to formal interviews, as he instead plumed for some kind of continuity by picking the former assistant manager as new club leader ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.
“Not only did John have a great appetite to do it, but Joey Dunne, who`ll be a part of the team as well, did and I could sense quite a good chemistry between them. I was very impressed with that from the beginning. That set a benchmark for me,” said Cowling, speaking during the press conference on Monday.
Ward, who spent most of his career as a player at Lincoln City, has managed previously with Cheltenham Town and Stockport County, while also enjoyed prominence in assistant roles with not only Aston Villa, Watford and Burley but more recently Wolverhampton Wanders. He has also managed both Bristol City Bristol Rovers and Carlisle United in his long career.
The 59-year-old insisted any question of his motivation to undertake this latest role as part of his lengthy CV was not in doubt, adding: “I think it`s a good position to come into. I`ve been in a good place at a good time, because obviously Aidy has moved into the Championship [with Coventry] and the Chairman`s looking for some continuity.”
He explained: ” I`m aware of the players , having worked with them the last eight or nine months very closely. I`m delighted with that because it gives me a bit of an insight.”
Ward`s honours as a boss include promotions with York City, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town.
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Well, he’s got a lot of experience and has won promotion before in the lower leagues. Think he could well do a good job – exciting times!