It was a very easy decision - Corney

IMPRESSED . . . Athletic chairman Simon Corney has belief in the club’s new manager.

ATHLETIC chairman Simon Corney has sought to re-assure the club's sceptical fans that Darren Kelly definitely IS the right man to bring success back to SportsDirect.com Park.

There was much shock and a degree of incredulity when Latics announced that Derry-born, 35-year-old ex-Sunderland Academy coach Kelly had been appointed as Lee Johnson's permanent replacement on a two-year deal.

Some supporters vowed to turn their back on the club in protest, and a number were at the stadium yesterday to cancel their season-ticket reservations. But Corney is determined to stick to his guns.

"My message to the fans is give the guy a chance," the Latics chairman told the Chronicle..

"The board and I are all confident we have made a good decision in appointing Darren. Time will tell, but you get fans at every club who aren't always happy with who is appointed. Now it's Darren's job, and mine, to change their minds. I think he'll bring an exciting brand of football to SportsDirect.com Park.

Asked whether Kelly will be in a good position this summer to attract high-quality players to Athletic given his lack of Football League experience, Corney was again clear in his message.

"We will need more than a few new players," he said. "But it's not just about the manager attracting them; it’s a group effort.

"I'd like to think we will help him get the right players in - but once the season starts, judge us then."

Kelly, a former York City and Carlisle United centre-back, was introduced to the media as Corney offered an insight into his selection.

He said: "It was a long and exhaustive process. We met some excellent potential managers and some very experienced ones, but you have to go with your gut feeling and what you've seen in the interview process.

"When Darren came I got the same feeling I had with Lee Johnson. We have a pretty good record with managers at this club, though it isn't just me who should take credit. After we all met Darren, he made it very hard for us not to pick him.

"He is under no illusions, everybody knows football is a results business. If we do well, we'll look very smart and so will Darren. If things don't go well, we'll have to deal with that as well.

“I firmly believe that we've got somebody here who is going to bring a lot to the club.

"We've already talked extensively about what direction we're going to go in. We are looking forward to proving a few people wrong."

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