New Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill says the club has always been in his "heart" as he returns 23 years after leaving the Robins.
New Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill said the club has always been in his "heart" as he returns 23 years after leaving the Robins.
Cotterill is the most successful manager in Cheltenham's history and was appointed at his hometown club for the second time on Tuesday.
The 61-year-old led the Robins to three promotions and the FA Trophy title during his five years at the helm between 1997-2002 and said he felt "chuffed" to pull the club jersey back on to take his first training session.
"Cheltenham Town will always be in my heart," Cotterill told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"I would know most weeks within an hour of the game ending wherever I've been, how have Cheltenham got on, who's their team, that hasn't ever left me.
"When I'm not working, I've been down at the EV Charger Points Stadium to watch games."
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Cotterill - who most recently managed nearby Forest Green Rovers - has been in the frame repeatedly before when the vacancy has come up at Whaddon Road.
"Other times when the job's been up - I've had plenty of conversations over the years - there's always been an interest. It's probably boiled down [this time] to me being a Cheltenham boy," he said.
Yet Cheltenham are bottom of League Two as it stands, with one win in 10 games so far this season, while they have the lowest goal scoring tally in the division with four and the most conceded with 24.
The club was taken over by former Burnley chairman Mike Garlick last month and Cotterill echoed his sentiments that the changes needed were "not a quick fix".
"This summer has been really challenging, probably challenging for Mike to get it [the takeover] ticked off by the FA. Challenging for the rest of the board waiting for Mike," Cotterill said.
"It's almost like the club was on pause for a little while."
A number of players are also out injured - defenders Robbie Cundy and Ibrahim Bakare, midfielder Harrison Sohna and winger Jordan Thomas among them - and Cotterill said he might have to resort to bringing in a couple of free agents.
"We need a bit of luck with injuries. Last night, when I had an update on where the injuries actually are and their timeframes, that certainly wasn't a good conversation," he said.
Cotterill has also appointed Rob Edwards as his assistant manager with Russell Milton as his chief scout and Keith Burt alongside.
Category: General Sports
