For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
We have more newsletters
Forest Green Rovers have appointed former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has their new head coach.
The League Two strugglers have parted company with David Horseman, who had just five months at the helm. He has paid the price for a shocking start to the season which sees the club second-bottom of the fourth tier and five points away from safety.
Deeney, 35, has stepped up from his player-coach role and will take charge for the first time when Forest Green host Gillingham on Friday night. Deeney said: “I am very pleased and honoured to be appointed as the new Head Coach.
READ MORE: Troy Deeney claims Harry Kane 'can't do what I can' – and he is being deadly serious
READ MORE: Watford legend Troy Deeney gets new club as confused fans ask 'what is going on'
"I know the fans will have many questions, which will be answered as soon as possible. We will not hide from the task at hand and will be open and honest along the way.
“One thing I can assure everyone is that we will work our very hardest to bring this wonderful club back to success. This is an exciting new role with many challenges that I'll embrace. and there's a lot of work for us to do, which has already started. I look forward to welcoming fans to our home game this Friday against Gillingham."
Forest Green owner Dale Vince added: "Troy came to us to begin his career in coaching and take the next step of his career. This is happening sooner than expected but he's built strong relationships already with our staff, squad and fans – and is well placed for the challenge.
"We'll strengthen our squad in the coming transfer window as well, to give ourselves the best chance of first securing our place in League Two before looking upward once more, toward League One and beyond."
The appointment hasn't gone down well with fans, with some calling it a "joke" decision. One fumed: "No, no, no!! We weren't doing that bad until DH brought TD into the scene. Concerned we're now totally f****d."
Another unhappy fan added: "Can the board answer me this. Troy has been part of the coaching staff for one of our worst seasons so far. The players haven't been listening to him on the pitch, what makes us think it will change being head coach? Mark Bonner [who recently left Cambridge] is available ffs!"
A third raged: "Troy on a permanent is an absolute joke. Cannot believe how much of a circus this club is." A fourth commented: "On the face of it, this seems like madness. A change may be needed but TD, with half a season experience as a player coach, to save us from falling out of the league? I hope there's something going on here that I'm missing."
Meanwhile, a rival fan simply quipped: "Enjoy the National League."
- Breaking News
- Forest Green Rovers FC
- League Two
- Birmingham City FC
- Watford FC
- Footballblog
Source: Read Full Article