SHERWOOD’S SURE Tim’s confident Swindon is the right move
WHEN former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood resurfaced, not many people expected it to be at Swindon – yet he’s adamant he’s made the right choice.
The 47-year-old may be dropping down to England’s third tier – and to a team that went into yesterday’s match against Charlton in the relegation zone – but Sherwood believes the Swindon challenge is an ‘interesting project’. It helps that he’s linking up with former Norwich teammate and long-term friend Lee Power, the Robins chairman. There is also a certain amount of flexibility for both parties as Sherwood hasn’t signed a contract.
Flexibility
The former Blackburn midfielder, who had been heavily linked with the vacant QPR job before Ian Holloway was appointed, said: “We go back a long way and he’s trusted me to take the footballing decisions here – if it goes wrong it’s my fault. The key is to try to improve the group and develop them as individuals, but, more importantly, develop the club and try to take it in the right direction.
“Lee’s trying to progress the club and the foundations are there. We just need to improve things on the pitch this season.”
As for whether he will be sticking around, Sherwood is optimistic.
“This could be a long project,” he said.
“I’ve had what people may perceive to have been better options and turned them down to come to Swindon. At the moment it’s the best option for me and I’m pleased to be here.”
Pleased
Swindon have been keen to stress that Sherwood’s arrival doesn’t mean that head coach Luke Williams has suffered a demotion, though Power has admitted that the former will pick the team.
“We’ve managed to acquire one of the top young English managers and his role at the football club is going to be director of football, which will include heading up the football department in all aspects at Swindon Town,” said Power.
“He will head up all aspects – that will be transfers, that will be the way that we play, the formations and the picking of the team.
“We’re still in shock that we’ve managed to get Tim to take it on. This is probably the biggest appointment the club has made in a long, long time.”
Following yesterday’s League One clash against the Addicks, Swindon host Non-League outfit Eastleigh in an FA Cup first round replay on Tuesday night.