Northern League Division Two side Durham City appoint an ex-Celtic player as manager and head of academy, leaving many fans stunned.
Didier Agathe joins, looking to turn around the non league club’s fortunes after they won just twice from 26 league games before coronavirus cancelled the season.
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Durham chairman Gary Hutchinson said: “Didier is dedicated, experienced former professional footballer who has played at the very highest level. He has been coaching since his retirement and brings with him a tremendous skill sets which the board believes kick start a new era at the club.”
New @DurhamCity_AFC manager and head of academy…… #Didieragathe @CelticSoccrShow @CelticFC @Celticnewsnow @DidierAgatheCSC @BBCSport @SkySportsNews @NonLeaguePaper pic.twitter.com/35YEWSlzEb
— Durham City AFC Football Academy (@dcafcacademy) April 29, 2020
Agathe commented: ‘It’s a great challenge and a great club. This is a really exciting project to be involved in. The club is looking to build on and off the pitch and I’m really looking forward to playing a big part in this journey.
“I’m really excited about this role, I’ve been coaching since my retirement, working with my Academy for over 10 years and I’m excited to transfer my knowledge and experience to build a fantastic academy for Durham City.
I’m looking to build something here based on discipline, commitment and hard work. I want to build an exciting team that will win games and bring back the fans to Durham. There are good players here, we are in the process of adding some players to complement the current squad and I can’t wait to get working with them.”
Director of Football John Woolnough, who has been in discussions with Agathe, said: “This is a fantastic appointment for Durham City AFC. Didier is a very well regarded coach and will help to catapult the club forward. We’ve spoken a lot already about the priorities and I think we’re both very forward thinking and open minded and it should be a good positive relationship.”
Chairman Gary Hutchison added: “The club would like to thank Director of Football John Woolnough for his efforts in this appointment, it’s been a great effort to get this over the line and I would like to thank everyone for their patience. I am hoping this appointment will move the club to the next level and beyond, it’s not going to happen overnight but believe it’s a big step in the right direction.”
Fans reacted after seeing that Durham City appoint an ex-Celtic player as manager…
Well done @DurhamCity_AFC ‘s Board. Great appointment. Looking forward to the new season – assuming it starts! Good luck Didier.
— Malcolm Churchill (@MalChurchill) April 29, 2020
Tremendous player for @Celticfc .https://t.co/Fs7JxXWnDa
Congrats and good luck ?— Steve B (@1_stevebrown) April 29, 2020
I instantly want you to win every game forever now.
— Dr J.T. Wishbone (@jwishbone2020) April 29, 2020
Hes the fastest player I’ve seen over half a pitch…. he built up speed the longer he ran… very underrated player ?
— Broken Bell (@gerrard15) April 29, 2020
Lilian Thurman once asked of him in a press conference after a game v Juventus – ‘who is this Celtic machine’. A class act. Good luck Didi ??
— Brophessor (@BrophessorDJB) April 29, 2020
— ??ˢᶜ32ᴵᴱ?? (@sc32ie) April 29, 2020
Brilliant statement of intent!!!!! ?
— Dark Knight (@Me_safc_1973) April 29, 2020
Legend has it Mbappe had pictures of him on his wall
— Paddy Hutton (@PaddyHutton) April 29, 2020
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