Chester appoint ex-Newcastle, Aston Villa, Everton player Steve Watson as new permanent manager Johnson and Morley were sacked.
Danny Livesey was made an interim manager two weeks ago, but he hasn’t been handed the job with the club currently sitting 16th in the National League North table.
They have picked up 19 points from 17 games, are 9 points ahead of the drop zone, while need 7 points to reach the playoffs.
✍️ #ChesterFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Watson as First Team Manager.
Welcome to the Deva, Steve! 💙
🔵⚪️ #InItTogether #UTS 🦭🦭
— Chester FC (@ChesterFC) December 23, 2021
CLUB STATEMENT:
Chester Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Watson as First Team Manager.
The 47-year-old takes over with immediate effect and his first game in charge will be our visit to AFC Telford United on Boxing Day.
Watson, who becomes our sixth permanent managerial appointment since reformation, has penned a contract initially until the end of the season at the Deva Stadium.
His first interview as Blues boss will be available in full tomorrow morning in our December episode of The Seals Podcast. Find your favourite platform and subscribe to the show now at thesealspodcast.buzzsprout.com.
Having enjoyed an illustrious playing career with the likes of Newcastle United and Everton in the top-flight of English football, Steve’s coaching career started at Huddersfield Town in 2010.
He then had a spell with Birmingham City before being appointed Assistant Manager at Macclesfield Town, and moved into management with Gateshead in October 2017, ensuring their survival that season as well as reaching the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.
Gateshead sat eighth in the National League table in January the following season when he switched to York City. Sitting 16th at the time of his appointment, York would end that campaign strongly – just seven points shy of the play-off places.
The following season Steve steered the Minstermen to a second-place finish on PPG, reaching the play-off semi-finals during the curtailed 2019/20 campaign.
Watson was named National League North Manager of the Month in October of this year, before leaving the club the following month.
CFU Chair Andy Morris said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to the Club following a wide recruitment campaign over the last few weeks.
“Having spoken to Steve numerous times, we are confident that he can build on the foundations already within the Club for the remainder of the season.
“It was important that we appointed a manager who knew the league in terms of opposition and players so that he could have an immediate impact and push us on to finish in the highest possible position in the table.
“The work that Steve did at Macclesfield and Gateshead alongside his time at York show that he can operate successfully at this level and that he is able to coach and develop the current players as well as attracting new additions in our pursuit for a play-off place.
“During the interview process, Steve impressed with the level of research into our current squad and performance but most importantly with how he felt he could improve the team and most importantly results.
“Given his track record of success and his alignment to our community ethos and supporting player development, the board felt Steve was the right candidate to move the Club forward.
“The work that Danny Livesey and Simon Grand have done in interim charge has been incredible and we thank them both for their efforts and dedication to the Club stepping up in difficult circumstances.”
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Twitter users react as Chester appoint the ex-Newcastle, Aston Villa, Everton player as their new permanent manager…
@Rio_Doherty: Really made up with this. Steve knows how to set up teams with a defensive mindset and win games at this level which is just what we need. Did a good job in the league above and may have won the title last year, so I can’t wait for a fresh era. Welcome to Chester FC Steve
@chesterfc1960: Wow………… Made up with this appointment. To all those who predicted this well done………..
@nicksonmatt: Welcome aboard the fun bus Steve!!
@babawalker: Best of luck in the job!!!
@_LewisParsons: we’re on our way
@YRKGFX: Great appointment for you lot, will no doubt do well at a club that’s not ran by a bunch of clowns.
@ChesterStroll: Welcome Steve. Excellent appointment but you’ve got a job on your hands.
@5th_fret: Brilliant appointment! Here’s to a brighter 2nd half of the season
@andersCFC: Great news, this is what I wanted. Let’s kick on now. 👊
@Dave91774940: Made up well done chester
@melissagrundy: Welcome to Chester Steve. Looking forward to the rest of the season
@RKnowsBaII: O MY FUCKING GODDDDS WASTONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
@Jack5292: Happy with this. Come on Steve, make us dream…(of a highly improbable late run for the play offs in the 6th tier of English football) 🔵⚪️
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