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Steven Pressley: Coventry City appoint Falkirk boss as manager

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments76

Steven Pressley

Coventry have appointed Falkirk boss Steven Pressley as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The Sky Blues have agreed an undisclosed compensation package with the Scottish Division One side.

The 39-year-old former Scotland centre-half, who spent a season as a player at Highfield Road in 1994-95, had been in charge at Falkirk for three years.

"We wanted someone who could come in and hit the ground running," said development director Steve Waggott.

"We have 10 very important games left this season.

"But we also wanted somebody who would take us forward into the future and prioritise youth development and the club's role in the community.

"Steven ticked every single box and I know everyone at Coventry City - from supporters to staff - will get right behind him."

Former Sky Blues boss Eric Black, ex-England centre-half Keith Curle, sacked by Notts County on 3 February, and former Scotland striker Paul Dickov, sacked by Oldham Athletic the same day, were all identified as candidates.

But Coventry plumped for Pressley to maintain their push for the League One play-offs started by Mark Robins, who departed for Huddersfield three weeks ago.

"We have, once again, undertaken a very thorough process since the departure of Mark Robins to identify the number one candidate for the job," added Waggott.

"Steven is a hungry and highly ambitious young manager and we have all been very impressed with him and his record so far.

"We would like to thank Falkirk for the way they have handled the situation. I know exactly what it is like to get a call like the one I made to their chairman - and it's not very nice."

Pressley's first game in charge will be Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe.

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76 comments

  • Comment posted by User0111489079, at 15:46 8 Mar 2013

    Yada Yada Yada

    YOU're analyst has my sympathies.

  • Comment posted by Astonishingly Brilliant, at 11:44 8 Mar 2013

    I'm not a Falkirk fan but watching from afar it always looked like they were a bit over critical of Pressley.

    I suppose Falkirk fans are used to pushing for an SPL place but as far as I know they have a lot of kids in their team and no money but played good football when I seen them and done well in the cups.

    Good luck to him at Coventry. It'll be interesting to see what happens to Falkirk now

  • Comment posted by User0150653800, at 22:35 8 Mar 2013

    I am the rules fudgeboy

  • Comment posted by borntorun1981, at 13:03 8 Mar 2013

    Pressley has worked with practically zero £ to spend and done well. However, Falkirk have a good youth system which several managers have benefitted from. This isn't Pressley's doing at all. However, he has done well (not exceptional) with very limited resources. He isn't afraid of upsetting people and is very single minded. I have a feeling he will do well at Cov.

  • Comment posted by User0126880590, at 13:51 8 Mar 2013

    SBS, re your comment about Falkirk players being 'pub players' if you happen to look at the age of our squad a few of them wouldn't even be old enough to get a pub. We fielded the youngest ave age professional team ever this season with an average age of 17 1/2. We are a small club but we have an excellent youth policy and Elvis has proven himself despite many doubters (me included)

  • Comment posted by Clemy, at 12:13 8 Mar 2013

    "Condolences to Coventry fans. He is really a terrible manager".. We were told something similar when we got Robins. Good look Elvis..lets push for the playoffs. It's not out of reach yet. PUSB.

  • Comment posted by morbhoy, at 12:16 8 Mar 2013

    Elvis may not be everyone's cup of tea but he did well with limited resources at Falkirk and I didn't hear any of his detractors complain about reaching the semi final.
    Some people wouldn't know a good manager if they fell over him.
    Falkirk have had John Hughes and then Pressley, both of whom had their teams playing good football but where was the support?

  • Comment posted by User0961022918, at 16:38 8 Mar 2013

    Is he related to Elvis,? I hear he likes Banana Peanut Butter Toasties?
    I jest, best of luck Steven, you are going to need it.

  • Comment posted by dangraves3108, at 16:04 8 Mar 2013

    I suppose Coventry fans have 'suspicious minds' over this!

  • Comment posted by PeruSaddler, at 12:04 8 Mar 2013

    Just how exactly are Cov going to pay the compo to Falkirk when their bank account is frozen?

  • Comment posted by skybluesat, at 15:17 8 Mar 2013

    @45 Alan
    Thanks for your good wishes, it shows a true football fan rather than those who who think supporting their team means slagging off someone else's.
    Coventry may never have been a BIG club but we were at the top table for 30+ years, played in Europe, won the FA Cup, while under Jimmy Hill came up with many football innovations and under Joe Mercer had a caretaker England manager.

  • Comment posted by User0466016016, at 17:19 8 Mar 2013

    Dont understand why everyone is criticisin pressley. Two semi finals in his last two seasons, no money to spend - AT ALL - therefore he has to promote academy players. As a result the average age of our team most weeks is about 20. He also signed El Alagui who scored 18 goals in one season with us and Lyle taylor who so far this season has scored 25....enough said

  • Comment posted by User0150143638, at 12:41 8 Mar 2013

    Elvis was always a good leader on the pitch and as a player and never shook a challenge, has faith in young hungry player. will be interesting to see how he does. All the best Coventry for the upcoming fixtures!

  • Comment posted by jimmyhillsfanclub, at 13:06 8 Mar 2013

    ..I would like to welcome our 5th manager of the season to the madhouse that is CCFC. I think Falkirk will be waiting a very long time to actually receive the compo cash they've been promised...what with our winding up order, frozen bank accounts & 3rd party debt orders etc.
    Elvis will need all the luck in the world here....a big task & he starts it with us under transfer embargo too. PUSB!

  • Comment posted by Feel MaDullTie, at 13:39 8 Mar 2013

    @31. Such a "true" Man U fan you don't even live in this country not have you ever been to Old Trafford (that's where Man U play as you won't have known that).

    Bet you can't name 4 Man Utd players from before 1998.

  • Comment posted by annanarab, at 13:39 8 Mar 2013

    a wee bit surprised to see Pressley appointed when a manager like Peter Houston who has a sound track record at a higher level (Scottish Cup winner, UEFA qualifier, National Team assistant, etc) is available.

  • Comment posted by TwoWardrobes, at 23:11 8 Mar 2013

    Elvis lives!

  • Comment posted by Slenderman, at 11:58 8 Mar 2013

    Morton fan here, all I can say is: Bairns supporters I know are relieved he is away. Condolences to Coventry fans. He is really a terrible manager. Even the Jambos didnt want him.

  • Comment posted by Vogon, at 00:06 9 Mar 2013

    Pressley is amediocre coach in a mediocre league..what's so geat about nPower League One?

  • Comment posted by skyblueweeman, at 12:55 8 Mar 2013

    I know little about Pressley, but I rarely listen to fans of ex clubs. Like someone said below, we were warned about Robins and he took us from bottom 2 to top 7.

    Might end up eating my words, but good luck to him, The majority of the Sky Blue Army are behind you.

    Just need the board to sort everything out off the field....

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