Wadsworth in appeal to prospective Gretna owners
Last updated 09:17, Saturday, 10 May 2008
GRETNA boss Mick Wadsworth plans to appeal to any new owner to make coaches Andy Smith and Iain Scott the club’s new management team.
Wadsworth is expected to leave the crisis-hit club at the end of the season and is already actively job hunting.
The roving former Carlisle United coach, who has had 14 jobs in 15 years, has just missed out on becoming coach of the Zambia national team, and has also been linked with roles in Canada and the Far East.
Wadsworth, who joined Gretna as director of football two years ago, took over the hot-seat following Davie Irons’ move to Morton in February, and has been assisted by Smith and Scott for the run-in.
Wadsworth plans to give his lieutenants glowing references to potential new owners if a bid is made for the club which otherwise faces a winding up order next Saturday.
He said: “If a new owner comes in it would be foolish for them to look elsewhere for a manager when they have Iain and Andy.
“I hope they will be able to stay as they are good young coaches with families and I would be quite passionate about recommending them.
“They have the capacity, the drive, the talent and enthusiasm to do well.
“They can handle senior players and young players, and have been absolutely superb in recent months. They have brought a lot to the table. Even if I have to step aside, I would love those two young guys to get jobs if the club survives.
“Hopefully the club will emerge with new owners and will be able to carry on at some level playing at Raydale park.
“I have a few irons in the fire but nothing definite.
“The job in Zambia would have appealed to my roaming spirit but I’m led to believe it has gone to a French guy.”
Wadsworth takes his side to St Mirren today, hoping they will have no after-effects of last week’s 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Inverness.
They complete their season with a home clash against Hearts at Fir Park in what could prove their last-ever game if no new owner comes forward.
Skipper Paul Murray is still missing with broken ribs, but the midfielder will be on the bench because the squad is so stretched following last week’s departure of Ryan Baldacchino and John Paul Kissock.
