Show you are Class now, Alex
SALFORD CITY sprung a surprise when they parted company with their joint managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.
The pair loomed large in a TV documentary, Class of ‘92: Out of Their League.
They might have turned the air blue with their stream of swear words, but Johnson and Morley certainly got the job done – three promotions in four seasons.
But with the celebrations of reaching the National League, just one rung below the Football League, having barely subsided, the club’s famous owners called time on the devastated duo.
Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs decided it was time for a change.
So in came Graham Alexander on a four-year contract, unheard of at this level, after being sacked by League One Scunthorpe.
The former Scottish international is under no illusions about the expectations of his famous employers – especially as money will be no object as they look to clear the final non-league hurdle.
Exciting
Alexander said: “There’s a real drive and ambition here.
“The responsibility is to continue that work and try and reach the Football League as quickly as possible.
“Coming here isn’t something I could have predicted. It’s a bit left field, but once I had spoken to the owners I felt I wanted to be part of the exciting things that are happening at Salford.
“You can see what has been put in place and the tremendous hard work of the past four years.”
Johnson and Morley have been quickly picked up by Chester FC, who have just been relegated to the National League North where Salford have emerged.
Morley said: “It was sad and a surprise that it ended at Salford but we’ve not regrets.
“It will be nice to get away from the goldfish bowl.”
That’s now the territory of Alexander and his assistant, former Bury manager Chris Lucketti.