SLIGO ROVERS HAVE unveiled the identity of their new first team manager.
Dave Robertson has signed a two-year deal with the SSE Aitricity League club, having managed League One side Peterborough United as recently as September — when he was sacked after their poor start to the season.
He is a former Royal Marine who served as a commando in Belfast and Kuwait before being discharged in 1998 after a virus left him with a minor heart problem.
It was then that the Londoner turned his hand to coaching football with Crystal Palace and, later, the Posh.
“I am delighted to be coming to work at Sligo Rovers,” said Robertson in a club statement released today. “I know it is a big club with big expectations and hopefully the players and I can bring the success it deserves.
“The club has had some good times for the last few years and I want to bring that back. That is what I intend to do and I will be 100% committed to that.
I have spoken to several people I know that know the league so I have a relative understanding but I want to get more depth.
“Recruiting players is a massive task and a very important one and if we can do that well it gives us the opportunity to hit the ground running and push forward from there.
“I am confident and excited about the next few weeks and hopefully we can secure the services of the right players to bring success.”
The Bit O’Red began last season with Owen Heary at the helm but he was sacked in June. Former player Joseph Ndo and Greg Dykes then took over managerial duties temporarily before Micky Adams joined in August.
Having managed to secure the club’s Premier Division status as they finishing ninth in the table, however, Adams opted to call time on his brief spell in charge at the end of the season.
“The calibre of candidate for the role was high, and after what was a very thorough process, we are very confident that we have made the right decision,” said Sligo secretary Brendan Lacken.
Dave is a very ambitious young manager and we have been impressed with his enthusiasm and knowledge of Irish football.
“He also brings a great reputation as a coach from his work with the academy at Peterborough United.
“After a difficult year for the club in 2015 we are looking forward to uniting behind Dave in what we believe will bring a new era of success to Sligo Rovers.”
