Stanley offer boss job to Richardson (From This Is Lancashire)

Stanley offer boss job to Richardson

8:33am Monday 29th October 2012 in Sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

LEAM Richardson has been offered the manager’s job at Accrington Stanley – with the caretaker boss indicating that he will decide whether to accept the role in the next few days.

Richardson was in temporary charge for Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday, in the Reds’ first game since Paul Cook’s departure to Chesterfield, and the Lancashire Telegraph understands that he has been offered the job on a permanent basis.

But Richardson is also wanted as Cook’s new assistant at Chesterfield and has asked the club for a few days to weigh up his future, having admitted on Friday that family considerations could also be part of his decision. The Spireites are likely to be able to offer a higher salary.

Stanley, though, are said to be hopeful that Richardson will be swayed by the fact that the board, players and fans all want him to take over as the Reds’ new boss.

The 32-year-old has been with Stanley for seven years and impressed as caretaker manager when John Coleman departed in January, before working as Cook’s assistant at the Crown Ground.

A board meeting was held after Saturday’s game to discuss the future and managing director Rob Heys said: “There was a strong feeling within the room to have a chat with Leam.

“My views on it are no secret, I'd like to see Leam take over.

“We wanted to get Saturday’s game out of the way first. That was quite important and I think it showed that was the right thing to do because we got the three points.”

Chairman Peter Marsden said: “I have huge respect for Leam as a fantastic club man.

“He has huge respect among the board.”

Richardson admitted after Saturday’s win that he has enjoyed being in temporary charge and said that he would be back at the club today to continue the role, but stopped short of confirming where his future lay.

“It was important we got the game out of the way first,” he said.

“We’ve got a free week now, we can take as much time for talking as we want and we’ll go from there.

“It’s been a great experience and I’ve got a lot to think about.”

Meanwhile, the caretaker boss thanked players and fans for the way they supported him as Accrington Stanley secured a home victory over Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Assisted by Paul Lodge and Les Parry, Richardson took temporary charge for Stanley’s first game since Cook’s departure and guided the Reds to a 1-0 win.

He is now set to be offered the manager’s job on a permanent basis, providing he decides not to follow Cook to Derbyshire.

Stanley fans made it clear on Saturday that they wanted Richardson to be the club’s new boss, and the players showed their commitment to their caretaker boss with an impressive display.

Asked about the backing he has received from supporters, Richardson said: “They were fantastic.

“They’ve been supportive ever since I joined the club - when I was a player, when I was struggling through injury, when I was a bit part player and when I’ve stepped into steady things when there’s been two managerial changes.

“It’s been a massive experience for me and I wouldn’t change it for the world, I’ve been enjoying it.

“It’s a great learning curve and I’m made up for the lads, I put it all down to them and the staff.

“The win was not down to me, there’s a group and it was all down to them.

“I’m one of them – as are Les, Lodgey and the players not on the pitch. I’m made up for them, every last one of them. They all dug in together and worked hard for each other.

“I think we fully deserved the win.”

Padraig Amond scored Stanley’s winner with 11 minutes remaining to move them back up to 12th in League Two and Richardson was happy with his side’s performance.

“At half time we got the stats and we had 17 crosses to their three, we were up on shots and breaking into the final third we were up by 80 per cent so obviously it was going to tell,” he said.

“I thought we bossed the game throughout.”