Cotterill named new Pompey chief

18 June 2010 07:50
Portsmouth have confirmed the appointment of Steve Cotterill as the club's new manager on a three-year contract at Fratton Park.[LNB] The 45-year-old has joined the cash-strapped south coast club as they look to rebuild after suffering relegation from the Premier League last season.[LNB]Cotterill took charge of Notts County earlier this year and led the Magpies to the League Two title before leaving Meadow Lane at the end of the season.[LNB]He said: "It feels fantastic. It's a great club, it's got a great tradition and fantastic fans.[LNB]"First and foremost, this appointment wasn't on the back of the CVA.[LNB]"This decision was made a little bit earlier in the week and we had to keep it quiet and deal with the other events and speculation.[LNB]"I've been very lucky. There's been lots for me to contemplate. I think we need to be open and honest - I wasn't interviewed for the Hull job.[LNB]"I received a text from Adam Pearson at Hull, who I know, and he was very polite and professional in his approach.[LNB]"He didn't ask to speak to me but he asked how far down the road I was with Pompey. We spoke later and it was to say that I was already committed to Pompey.[LNB]"No matter what was going to happen - even if my wages were to double at Hull - I said I was committed to Pompey."[LNB]Pompey's administrator Andrew Andronikou has begun the process of handing over the reins to chief executive David Lampitt, and it was he who persuaded Cotterill to take on the challenge.[LNB]Cotterill added: "I met David for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I think he's a really good guy. He's been very professional.[LNB]"Sometimes they say you should pick your chairman and not your club, but I honestly think I've fallen lucky in both accounts on this one."[LNB]Cotterill also resisted the temptation to target an immediate return to the Premier League saying he wants to see which players he is left with before he starts making bold claims.[LNB]He added: "I don't want to be negative with it, but I don't want to be over-positive with it.[LNB]"I think once I know what group of players we have for the season, which will be at the end of August, I'll have a better idea of what our aims and aspirations can be for the season.[LNB]"I just think it's a fantastic club and a great opportunity. The supporters are second-to-none. I've been in the stadium when it's been packed and this is a tough place for other teams to get a result."[LNB]Pompey chief executive Lampitt welcomed the arrival of Cotterill, saying: "Steve is the perfect fit for the rebuilding job we want to do here.[LNB]"He's talented, ambitious, energetic and positive, with a very good footballing CV, coming here on the back of a great achievement at Notts County.[LNB]"We've got lots of challenges ahead and like the rest of us here at the club Steve is ready to tackle them head on to bring stability and long-term success to Pompey."[LNB]The appointment of Cotterill comes just one day after creditors voted in favour of a deal to take Portsmouth out of administration.[LNB]Portsmouth's creditors yesterday voted 81.3% in favour of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) deal which will see non football creditors receive only 20p for every pound they are owed.[LNB]Although Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, who are owed £37million by the club, are continuing to challenge the CVA, the administrators are passing more control of the club over to Lampitt.[LNB]Cotterill began his managerial career at Sligo Rovers, before guiding his home-town team Cheltenham into the Football League in 1999.[LNB]Short spells followed at Stoke and Sunderland, where he was assistant manager, before Cotterill took charge of Burnley for three years.

Source: Team_Talk