AGATHE IS UNITED IN PUSH FOR TOP TALENT
FORMER Celtic star Didier Agathe says he is excited to work the “outstanding talent” at Step 7 club Chester-le-Street United.
Agathe has completed a return to the dugout with the Wearside League club after leaving his first managerial role at Northern League Division Two strugglers Durham City earlier in the season after just nine matches in charge.
The former Hoops wingback took over the Citizens last summer but was unable to rejuvenate their flagging fortunes and quit after picking up just one point out of a possible 27.
Now, however, the 45-year-old Frenchman will remain in the north east to work with a United side that have been enjoying an impressive first season in the Wearside League.
With the season currently on hold and uncertainty of when of if it will restart, Agathe will take charge of a side that have won eight of their 11 games so far in a run of form that has taken them to third in the table.
“I am delighted to be named manager at Chester-le-Street United,” Agathe said. “The club do everything the right way.
“They have PlayerTek GPS pods for their players, a fantastic training ground with players training full time.
“I love the strength and conditioning at the club’s on-site Cross Fit Facility.
“We want to build a professional team of young players who can challenge in the leagues but most importantly fulfil their ambition of becoming professional players.
“Over the last 10 years I have been able to do a lot of good in La Reunion forming my Academy, the only thing I want to do now is to help people get better and be the best that they can be.
“I look forward to giving players from La Reunion the chance to train and play alongside the outstanding English talent here within the fantastic set up at Chester-le-Street United.
“The clubs plans are very exciting and I am delighted to really push my management career here.”
Agathe will work alongside John Gamble and Colin Wotherspoon as well as a number of younger ages groups.
He will also head up the club’s International Football School and will work with former Newcastle United and Northern Ireland midfielder David McCreery to “identify the best international talent”.
Gamble added: “I have grown to know Didier over the past few months and his morals and intentions for his players are the same as ours. He is very hardworking and very honest with his players.
“He has been able to identify talented players some of whom will join our academy and some of whom may be good enough to play in the first team.
“We have a great set-up within the club and the academy giving players the chance to progress from under-16 through to the first team.
“Didier has a point to prove in management and we look forward to him being a prominent figure in the growth of our club.
“I am keen to work with him as we seek to guide the club onwards and upwards.”