Swindon Town have announced
Kevin MacDonald as their new manager.
MacDonald Press Conference
The former Aston Villa coach, who only left the Premier League outfit in the summer, will take the reins at the County Ground ahead of this weekend’s clash with Coventry.
MacDonald, 52, takes over from Paolo Di Canio who quit the club last week following a dispute with the previous owners.
The new owners, led by new Chairman Jed McCrory, have been swift to act having only been given the keys to the club this week.
During their unveiling at a press conference on Tuesday the new owners confirmed they hadn’t even begun to look for a replacement for PDC.
But following the dismal 1-0 loss to Bury this week, the owners have been quick to put a new face in charge.
The Scot has never taken charge of any top-flight club but has got experience in a caretaker capacity, taking over at Leicester in 1994 following the departure of Brian Little.
He also took temporary charge at Aston Villa after Marin O’Neill quit the club at the start of the 2010/11 season.
The former Leicester and Liverpool midfielder had previously been the favourite to replace Henning Berg at Blackburn Rovers before Michael Appleton’s appointment last month.
MacDonald is still understood to be on the payroll at the Midlands club and he has been credited with bringing through a number of youngsters to the first team at Villa Park.
Delighted chairman Jed McCrory said: “This is a hugely important appointment at a significant moment in Swindon’s recent history and we are delighted to appoint a football man of Kevin’s calibre as our new manager.
“This is a clear message that the new Board is determined to drive on for promotion this season and continue to try and bring success to Swindon.
“Kevin has fantastic football credentials as a Double-winner with Liverpool during his playing days and he is an excellent coach.
“He has great connections with top players and he is a proper football man. We have every faith for Kevin now to lead Swindon from the front at a pivotal moment in the campaign. It is a new start for Kevin and for our new Board of Directors and we move forward together with every confidence.”
Facts about Kevin MacDonald
- Born in Inverness in 1960.
- Has played for Leicester, Liverpool, Caledonian, Rangers, Coventry, Cardiff, Walsall.
- Became Caretaker manager at Leicester for four games following Brian Little's exit.
- Republic of Ireland Assistant manager to Steve Staunton between 2005 and 2006.
- Joined Aston Villa as coach in 2006 and was Caretaker for seven games in 2010 after O'Neill quit.
- Left Villa in 2012 after the appointment of Paul Lambert.
