York City named their new manager on Wednesday (November 4) – he’s Jackie McNamara.
And his immediate priority? “To win on Saturday,” he said.
The most important thing is to enjoy it. Hopefully the players will feel the same.
He hoped to instil a “winning mentality” at the club, he told journalists at a press conference at Bootham Crescent.
“A style of football that everyone looks forward to seeing when they come and watch us – energy, excitement and winning.”
The club said it was delighted to announce the appointment, only ten days after sacking Russ Wilcox as manager following a very poor start to the season.
Glaswegian McNamara is a former Celtic defender, and was captain of the team when it was managed by Martin O’Neill.
He was capped 33 times by Scotland, playing for them in the 1998 World Cup in France.
McNamara, the son of another Celtic stalwart Jackie McNamara Sr, went on to play for Wolves and Aberdeen among other clubs.
He made his managerial debut with Partick Thistle, taking the Scottish First Division side to the Scottish Challenge Cup final before moving to be the Dundee United manager in January 2013.
McNamara took United to fourth and fifth places in the Scottish Premiership, but was axed in September after a poor run of results.
Attractive football
In a statement York City said that during his time as a manager in Scotland, he achieved a combined win ratio of just under 44%, with his teams playing “an attractive brand of football”.
BBC football commentator and City fan Guy Mowbray called the decision “a gamble” by the City board.
He Tweeted: “A gamble – no League 2 experience – but rather that than another plucked from the English manager roundabout. Exciting / interesting.”
A gamble – no League 2 experience – but rather that than another plucked from the English manager roundabout. Exciting / interesting #ycfc
— Guy Mowbray (@Guymowbray) November 4, 2015
McNamara arrives at Bootham Crescent alongside former Scotland teammate Simon Donnelly who will become his assistant for a third time.
They have their work cut out. City have gone ten games in League Two without a win and are only one place above the relegation zone.
The new team’s first game in charge is away at Accrington Stanley on Saturday (November 7) in the FA Cup.
‘Very pleased with that…’
His appointment was met with optimism from City fans…
@YorkLongshot @gazc23 @jtbonner86 impressed with the appointment of Jackie McNamara by #YCFC has a good record #positive
— Dom Chalk (@chalkytalky) November 4, 2015
New manager. New start. Let's kick on and start winning games! #ycfc
— Rebecca (@BeccaCath94) November 4, 2015
Very pleased with that #ycfc
— Gavin Collingwood (@yorkgavo) November 4, 2015
Pretty happy with McNamara all things considered #YCFC
— Bobbinson Crusoe (@bobbinsoncrusoe) November 4, 2015
I hope Jackie McNamara writes a good chapter.. #ycfc
https://t.co/cPc7DpRv47
— Garry Vaux (@Garry_Vaux) November 4, 2015