BURNETT: I’LL RUN DAGGERS MY WAY
DAGENHAM have appointed Wayne Burnett as boss on a permanent basis and he says that he is going to make big changes at Victoria Road.
Burnett oversaw the Daggers’ run-in – after former boss John Still left his post in February after nine years with the club to join Blue Square Bet Premier League side Luton Town – and guided them to safety in League Two.
But after signing a twoyear deal to remain as boss, 41-year-old Burnett – who joined Dagenham as Still’s assistant in 2009 – says he has his own footballing philosophy.
“I’m absolutely delighted. It’s something I always wanted to do once I stopped playing and I’m really excited,” said former Huddersfield midfielder Burnett.
“You like to think you might get the chance, but I wasn’t expecting it. I’m sure there would have been lots of others who put their name forward and I’m pleased to get the opportunity.
“Our home form was hopeless, although our away form was a bit better, but our objective was to stay up and we did that – not in the manner or the fashion that I would have liked to have done but we reached our objective.
“The goal was to get to the magical 51 points. They knew what was required so that helped and I’ve had 12 games or so and they will know exactly what is required from them for me next season.
“I’ve got nothing but admiration for John Still, but he did things the way he did things and I’ll do things the way I do things.
“I was quite open about that, even when John was manager here. I’ll certainly try to implement a few new ideas.
“We all want to play like Barcelona or Bayern Munich but ultimately it’s about winning football games, and we all have different styles.
“I’ve made no secret that I want to get the ball down and pass it, but before that happens I want to win football matches or I won’t be in the job very long.”