Doyle: It’s a privilege to take over in this position
MICHAEL Doyle believes he is “really privileged” to be moving up two divisions to work as head coach Ian Burchnall’s assistant at Forest Green Rovers.
The Green Devils confirmed late on Monday that Doyle had followed new boss Burchnall from National League side Notts County.
Forest Green won the Sky Bet League Two title last month, but then saw head coach Rob Edwards leave to take over at Championship side Watford only a few days later
“It’s a very unique situation to come into,” admitted Doyle. “It’s very rare that a management team come into a club after they’ve just won the League, but we’re all excited and it’s brilliant for us.
“When Ian’s previous assistant left Notts County, he asked me to step up and I haven’t looked back since.
“It was a great year of learning and I feel really privileged to be stepping up two divisions.”
Forty-year-old Doyle made 850 appearances for clubs including Coventry City, Sheffield United and Portsmouth during his career.
He joined Notts County as a player in 2019 before taking on a coaching role in May 2021 and became the assistant head coach to Burchnall this season.
Meanwhile, having admitted that it will be “really tough” to keep League Two Player of the Year Kane Wilson at the New Lawn – with Bristol City and Edwards’ Watford leading the queue for the right wingback – Rovers director of football Rich Hughes has been speaking about three other players to whom offers have been made – Nicky Cadden, Dan Sweeney and Sadou Diallo.
Cadden, 25, was signed from Greenock Morton in 2020 after spells with Airdrie, Livingston and Ayr. He had a fine season at left wing-back, he and Wilson providing the bullets for Jamille Matt and Matty Stevens to fire Rovers to promotion.
Hughes said: “Nicky Cadden has got a contract offer from ourselves.
“We’re hopeful something can be reached. We’d love to have him, and we need to get Ian and Nicky to have a conversation about how this is a good place for his future.”
Former Barnet man Sweeney, who can play at centre-half or in midfield, also arrived in 2020 and made 39 appearances in all competitions last season - although many of those were as a substitute.
“We’ve had several conversations with him,” said Hughes. “He’s an indemand man this summer. He’s probably been frustrated at (a lack of ) game-time.”
Diallo is another who had few chances to impress after signing from Edwards’ previous club Wolves, making only nine starts in all competitions.
Hughes added: “He’s a talented boy, but it’s all about how he sees his future.”