Pompey boss will take time to find right guy

Guy Whittingham has revealed he has already been inundated with interest to become his new assistant manager.
Pompey manager Guy Whittingham   Picture: Joe PeplerPompey manager Guy Whittingham   Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey manager Guy Whittingham Picture: Joe Pepler

The Blues boss is on the look-out for a new right-hand man after Andy Awford opted to return to his role as Academy manager.

Whittingham has spoken to several potential candidates but insists he will not rush his decision to ensure he gets the right person alongside him as Pompey prepare for life in League Two next season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And while there are several names who have already been thrown into the mix, the Blues boss maintains he has yet to identify his preferred choice.

Whittingham said: ‘A few people have shown a fair bit of interest but it’s not a decision I am going to rush.

‘I’m taking everything into consideration. I’m thinking about things, there are lots of names on the list but I’m relaxed about it.

‘I know I will get the right person.

‘There is a lot of work to be done but I’m not in any rush.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I’ve had a lot of people recommended to me by a lot of other people and I’ve got some thoughts myself.

‘So I will have a lot of information and I know I will get it right. It’s an important appointment.’

Stuart Gray was rumoured to be a possible contender after he worked alongside Whittingham in the wake of Steve Cotterill’s departure.

But the former Southampton boss is currently on the coaching staff at Sheffield Wednesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Other names to have been mentioned are former Blues skipper Darren Moore, while Academy coaches Paul Hardyman and Alan McLoughlin have also been tipped as possible internal candidates.

Whittingham knows it is vital to bring in the right character to fit into his existing backroom staff and is also keen to make his decision after some extensive discussions.

He said: ‘The people we have got at the club work very well together and I have got to work out that balance. You need the right type of character to come into that.

‘Whoever comes in has got to fit into the philosophy of the club and fit into my football philosophy on how I like to play and the type of players I want.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘But you can’t do that in half an hour. You need proper conversations with people to understand that.’

The Blues boss also paid tribute to the work Awford did alongside him and made it clear the former Pompey skipper will still be a crucial part of the club’s development.

Whittingham said: ‘He did a fantastic job with the first team.

‘But with all the brilliant work he has also done with the Academy, I knew it would be very difficult for Andy to give that up.

‘I totally understood his decision to go back to that job. But we’ve both got the best interests of the club at heart.’