MacDonald named Town boss (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON TOWN: MacDonald named as new manager

6:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport By Sam Morshead

SWINDON Town have appointed Kevin MacDonald as their new manager.

The former Aston Villa assistant boss joins the Robins on what the Advertiser understands to be a two-and-a-half-year deal with the mandate of taking Town into the Championship.

MacDonald enjoyed a 17-year playing career spanning almost 300 appearances with clubs such as Leicester City, Coventry City and Walsall, while he won the double during his time with Liverpool in the 1980s.

He briefly took charge of Leicester in a caretaker capacity in 1994, winning one and losing two of his three games in the hotseat, before moving to Villa in a coaching role in 1995.

He worked with managers including Brian Little, John Gregory and Martin O’Neill, and fulfilled another stint as a caretaker when the latter quit Villa Park in 2010.

MacDonald is known for his work ethic, his discipline and his belief in youth development. He coached Swindon striker James Collins when the forward was part of Villa’s youth set-up.

The 52-year-old, originally from Inverness, is expected to take training this morning before traveling with the team for Coventry where he will sit in the visiting dug-out for the clash with Coventry.

A press conference is set to take place at the County Ground this lunchtime to formally unveil MacDonald to the local and national media.

It is understood that the Scot’s appointment is a popular one with the Swindon dressing room. The Adver has learnt that Mark Cooper could be poised to join MacDonald as his number two.

In a statement released by the Robins last night, chairman Jed McCrory said: “His is a hugely important appointment at a significant moment in Swindon’s recent history and we are delighted to appoint a football man of Kevin’s calibre as our new manager.

“This is a clear message that the new board is determined to drive on for promotion this season and continue to try and bring success to Swindon.

“Kevin has fantastic football credentials as a double-winner with Liverpool during his playing days and he is an excellent coach.

“He has great connections with top players and he is a proper football man. We have every faith for Kevin now to lead Swindon from the front at a pivotal moment in the campaign. It is a new start for Kevin and for our new board of directors and we move forward together with every confidence.”