Stevenage Football Club can confirm that Graham Westley will re-join the club as Manager after four and a half years away…
This will be the fourth time that Chairman Phil Wallace has turned to Westley, employing him previously in 2003, 2008 and 2013.
51 year old Westley has managed over 900 games in 23 years of management, with his successes mostly coming at Stevenage working in partnership with Wallace, who said “Graham got us into the football league almost 10 years ago and I can’t think of anyone better equipped to reinvigorate the team and start winning matches.
“Graham knows the club inside out, we know each other inside out and he is desperate to put his career back on track. We need a Manager with extensive experience, someone motivated to win and someone who knows how to win in this league. We started this season 4 months ago thinking we would be promotion candidates and the season so far has been a rude awakening for us all.”
The appointment of Westley will see Mark Sampson returning to his role as First Team coach, but Wallace says he can be rightly proud of the games he has looked after the team as Caretaker.
“Mark has made us hard to beat and there are 10 teams below us in the last 6 form table, but we have not won the points needed to climb the table, so it is time to introduce someone with experience into the mix.
“Given our current league position, this is not the time for us to experiment with managers. I need someone I trust and I trust Graham. The opportunity exists now for him to again create a team that is great to watch and delivers results that make our fans proud to support us.
“I obviously have a high regard for him, having employed him three times before and each time he has evolved and matured. I am banking that this maturity and evolution has continued over the four years since he was here last and we can establish a formidable partnership again.
“We are coming into a window and every game is important, not only to maintain our league status, but to build a side that challenges for honours. Our mindset is very much on providing our fans with an exciting and successful team. We know we have got to start winning quickly and we know we have to start winning our fans back with a style of football that excites and entertains.”
Westley will officially take over as Stevenage manager on Monday 23rd December and will meet the players and staff tomorrow.
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