Pascal taking tips from the greats

By Robin Jones

PASCAL CHIMBONDA says he will draw inspiration from the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone in a bid to save struggling Skelmersdale United from the drop.

Chimbonda, the former Tottenham, Wigan, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland full-back has taken over at the North West Counties Premier Division club looking to claw back a 10-point deficit from their closest rivals.

“Just like those great managers, my philosophy will be to play attractive football,” the 44-year-old said.

As the time of his appointment Skelmersdale were 10 points adrift having taken just three points from 16 games. Despite finishing 11th in the Northern Premier League Division One West last season, the Blueboys were relegated due to ground grading issues.

Chimbonda’s headline-grabbing appointment was announced the day after team boss Matt Potter, the former AFC Liverpool manager, and his backroom team of Carl Lancaster and Sam D’Auvin parted company with the club.

Chimbonda said: “It is a great honour to become manager of a club with a history as rich as that of Skelmersdale United. This is a very proud day for me and also a wonderful opportunity, and I am very eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players.

“I will be focusing on greater fitness which will match the intensity I expect of all the players.”

He also told BBC Lancashire that the scarcity of black managers is a “barrier to fight against” as he seeks to prove himself.

Blueboys chairman Frank Hughes said of the former France international: “We are extremely pleased to announce that Pascal has agreed to join one of the most prestigious clubs in Non-League football.

“We’ve set out to create a philosophy that will continue throughout the ages. We are going to be the standard bearers for great football, because that is what our supporters demand, and is exactly what they deserve.

WELCOME: Pascal Chimbonda

“We have found the right man for the job in Pascal. His experience at the very top of elite football, shows that he has that winning mentality. This is amajor coup for the club, and we are very excited about the future.”