Watson job ‘safe for two years’
SOUTHPORT club director Phil Hodgkinson has claimed manager Liam Watson will be given a minimum of two years at the helm.
Hodgkinson was speaking at an official club interview to mark one year since he invested in the Sandgrounders and was incredulous at talk surrounding Watson’s position at the club. Southport have had 13 separate managers since the former AFC Telford boss departed for a second time in 2013 after almost five years at the club.
He returned this summer to replace former Bolton Wanderers and England forward Kevin Davies but has watched his side lose five of their opening eight games this term, with Southport currently sitting third bottom of Vanarama National League North after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Spennymoor Town.
“There’s been more downs than ups,” Hodgkinson said when asked about his time at the club, in which he has overseen a redevelopment of the main stand as well as a clutch of new players arriving.
“It’s a massive job. For me the football club needed CPR. It needed a really big shake, tipping upside down, and massive change.
“With change, to the level the football club required and still requires to a degree, you’ll get peo- ple who embrace that and people who fight against it and that’s a completely natural reaction.
“You just hope over time you can get everybody on board as things progress in a positive direction.”
Former Chester City manager Jon McCarthy arrived at Haig Avenue last Christmas and has remained at the club alongside Watson this season despite the sacking of Davies in April.
Hodgkinson has been impressed by the duo, however, and says both men will be given time to stamp their authority on a squad that is still in need of further change.
“Stability is everything. We’ve got a fantastic first-team coach in Jon McCarthy and a fantastic manager in Liam Watson,” he added.
“It’s not even a question for me. They will be here for a minimum of two years unless they choose not to be. Regardless of what happens, this football club needs stability. It hasn’t had stability for too long.
“Liam and Jon know what they’re doing. They know what they want. It’s going to take the whole of this season and next summer before we’ve got a squad that they’re happy with, that they want, and have put their stamp on.
“That’s the way it is. Nobody needs to ask myself or the board any questions about the manager or the first team coach. They’re not going anywhere. It’s just not on the agenda. We need to bring stability.”