Monday, 9 December 2013

Portsmouth: Richie Barker & Steve Coppell take charge


Richie Barker

Portsmouth have appointed Richie Barker as their new manager, with Steve Coppell also arriving at the club in a director of football role.
The League Two club sacked previous boss Guy Whittingham on 25 November.
Barker and Coppell filled the same roles at Crawley Town, until the former was relieved of his job two days after Whittingham's dismissal by Pompey.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me. I'm very excited to be at this club with its great history," said Barker.
The 38-year-old began his managerial career at Bury in April 2011 and steered them to promotion from League Two.
Barker, who has signed a standard rolling contract at Fratton Park, then spent 18 months at Crawley, leading them to a 10th-place finish in League One last season before his dismissal last month.
The former Sheffield Wednesday, Linfield, Brighton, Macclesfield, Rotherham, Mansfield and Hartlepool striker beat off stiff competition for the Portsmouth job from a shortlist that also included Oxford United manager Chris Wilder and Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale.
"Everyone knows how passionate the people of Portsmouth are about their football club," added Barker.
Former Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Brentford, Brighton, Reading and Bristol City boss Coppell joins him at Fratton Park and is relishing the challenge.
"I'm very excited," he said. "Richie asked if I'd like to be involved and I jumped at the opportunity."
Barker's first game in charge of Pompey, who sit 17th in League Two, will be against Newport County at Fratton Park.
They have lost five of their last seven matches and have not won since 2 November.

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