Corney: New boss has to be right for club

Photo: PICTURE by VINCENT BROWN

NO PLAY: a frozen pitch at Boundary Park put paid to last night’s clash with Hartlepool.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

ATHLETIC chairman Simon Corney is interviewing prospective managers but remains determined to take his time over an appointment.

Confirming caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk doesn’t want the job full-time, Corney said talks with

interested parties will continue this week - and stressed that a new man must focus on the goal of bringing players through the ranks and into the first team.

Iain Dowie, Shefki Kuqi and Phil Brown and Sammy Lee are among the front-runners for the manager’s job in the betting markets. But Corney refuses to confirm or deny interest.

“We have interviewed one or two, but there is a long way to go,” said the chairman.

“Some might look at the situation and panic. But we have got a quarter of our league season left to run.

“It is better to take our time. In the past we may not have picked the right candidate. So we will not be rushed.

“We are fortunate that we have had so much interest. It shows that contrary to what some may think, this is a very coveted role. Whoever we bring in has to be right for the club.

“They have to buy into our philosophy — a big part of which is to bring through the youth team players. It is the only way a club like ours can achieve stability.”

Philliskirk’s current right-hand man Paul Gerrard has revealed he will stay at the club until the end of the season, rather than the end of this month. “It was always going to be the case,” said Corney. “If we didn’t want Paul to be here, he wouldn’t be here.”



Last night’s league results increased Athletic’s relegation fears. Shrewsbury won 3-2 at MK Dons to move to 43 points and Colchester's 2-2 draw at Coventry would have been a lot worse for Athletic but for a last-gasp equaliser.



Last night’s scheduled Athletic - Hartlepool clash at Boundary Park will now be played on Tuesday.