Former Premier League star Troy Deeney named player-manager as he lands first top coaching job
TROY DEENEY has been appointed Forest Green Rovers boss in his first managerial role.
The Watford legend was confirmed as the club’s new manager following the departures of David Horseman and Louis Carey.
He had joined the club as a player-coach in the summer but will now takeover as head coach with immediate effect, a statement announced.
Horseman and Carey left the New Lawn this week after Rovers’ poor start to their League Two campaign.
The Green are currently five points from safety in 23rd place after 22 matches this term.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Deeney said: “I am very pleased and honoured to be appointed as the new Head Coach.
“I know the fans will have many questions, which will be answered as soon as possible. We will not hide from the task at hand and will be open and honest along the way.
“One thing I can assure everyone is that we will work our very hardest to bring this wonderful club back to success.
“This is an exciting new role with many challenges that I’ll embrace. and there’s a lot of work for us to do, which has already started.
“I look forward to welcoming fans to our home game this Friday against Gillingham.”
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Deeney has scored four goals in 18 appearances for Forest Green since signing from Birmingham in the summer.
Prior to his spell at St. Andrew’s, he spent 11 years with Watford, winning promotion to the Premier League twice.
47 of his 140 goals for the Hornets came in 165 top-flight appearances during that period.