Newell relishes chance to keep Pool on march

Pool chairman Ken Hodcroft presented their fans and players with a shock yesterday, when former Everton and Blackburn striker Newell was unveiled as their new manager.

Following Chris Turner's departure to Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago, Colin West has been in temporary command.

But as West yesterday joined up with Turner at Hillsborough, Hodcroft was busy unveiling Newel at the same time.

After talks on Monday, Newell was on a shortlist of three for the role and following an impressive second interview, he was offered the job in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Youth team coach Martin Scott will continue as acting assistant manger and the former Sunderland defender could be permanently handed the role after Newell, who is believed to be on similar rolling contract to Turner, admitted there were no immediate plans to introduce his own man.

Newell, whose managerial experience came as reserve boss at Tranmere Rovers last season before he fell victim to the cash crisis in the game following the collapse of ITV Digital, will stand aside and allow Scott to pick the team for tomorrow's game at Leyton Orient.

He met his new players at Victoria Park yesterday and Pool head off for London this morning.

"This sort of job doesn't come up every day,'' Newell reflected. "When I went for the interview, I was keen to impress people. In the end, I came away having been so impressed by the chairman and Ian McRae.

"They were so professional and enthusiastic about what is happening here, that I knew the job was the one I wanted. It's a fantastic opportunity for me.

"I have seen some managers knocking on the chairman's door for months for things, but the way things are improving here I don't think that is the case.

"Once I had that first meeting, I was desperate to get the job.''

Ironically, Newell's final starting role in over 650 professional outings came against Pool in September 2000, when Turner's side triumphed 2-1 at Blackpool.

After that defeat, he made just three more substitute appearances that season and was released by Steve McMahon.

He added: "To be honest I don't know a lot about the players here. I met Micky Barron about ten minutes before I was appointed and I know Anthony Williams from my days at Blackburn. Now I have to get to know them as people and as players.

"It's not about stamping my authority. It's very important we continue the success and I have to find out what has brought that success and keep things running.''

Hodcroft admitted that the position Turner had left Pool in meant he was in no mad rush to make an appointment - although a business trip to South America ensured a slight delay to the process.

He said: "We had a lot of applicants and a lot of very good ones at that. It's not the norm in football to appoint a manager when you are top of the table. Usually it's when you are bottom and desperate to bring someone in.

"But we didn't feel we had to rush, we could take our time and because of that we had some very good applications.

"Leaving some people out and making up a list was difficult and after a lot of debating and a very detailed process we feel we have the right man in place.

"I hope the fans can see the great progress the club has made in recent years and we want to continue to build on solid foundations.''

He added: "Colin West was in the hat just like everyone else. But just because he worked for the club didn't mean he was going to considered differently to everyone else.

"What Mike has is enthusiasm, he is very keen and he comes with excellent references. We did thorough checks and in the interviews he came across very well.

"We feel he will blend in with the way we operate and the way we do our business. It is important our manager works with us because we are not a football club with a chairman or even a representative of our company here all the time.

"That means we depend on this club being able to run smoothly. We are sure Mike will take us on and achieve our goals.''