Premier Division side Skelmersdale United have acted swiftly in replacing Matt Potter by appointing former France International Pascal Chimbonda as Manager, writes Sarah Shuttleworth.
Chimbonda will take charge of his first game on Wednesday night at home to Kendal Town in the Macron Cup.
Pascal told the club website Skemutd.com: “It is a great honour to become manager of a club with a history as rich as that of Skelmersdale United Football Club. This is a very proud day for me and also a wonderful opportunity, and I am very eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players."
“I will be focusing on greater fitness which will match the intensity I expect of all the players. I’ve been inspired by Guardiola, Mourinho, Simeone and Zidane, and as such just like those great managers, my philosophy will be to play attractive football. I know how precious this club is to the supporters, and therefore we’re ready to work hard to give them what they want.”
Chairman, Frank Hughes said: “We are extremely pleased to announce that Pascal has agreed to join one of the most prestigious clubs in non-league football.
“We’ve set out to create a philosophy that will continue throughout the ages. We are going to be the standard bearers for great football, because that is what our supporters demand, and is exactly what they deserve. We have found the right man for the job in Pascal. His experience at the very top of elite football, shows that he has that winning mentality. This is a major coup for the club, and we are very excited about the future.”
Pascal played 148 Premier League games for teams including Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic and went on to be selected for the France squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Pascal runs his own soccer academy for 16-23 year olds, and is renowned for uncovering stars of the future and resurrecting the careers of players that have slipped through the net.
