New Newry City boss Gary Boyle admits there will be "a huge void to fill" following Darren Mullen's departure, but he is ready to show hie capabilities as the club moves into a new chapter.
Mullen has left the club after a decade in charge but Newry will be hoping for a smooth transition as Boyle takes over the reins stepping up after six years in the backroom team.
The 35-year-old says there will be some "nerves and apprehension" as he becomes the youngest manager in the Danske Bank Premiership but he is relishing the challenge.
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"Of course there's apprehension and nerves, but it's all good," he told Cool Fm.
"I know I'm in a very fortunate position here. I feel as if I'm ready and I've shown my capabilities with the last management team, and that's been backed up with the conversation I've had with the club.
"It would be silly for me to say that it's not going to be a huge void to fill.
"Darren's been great with me personally the whole time I've been here.
"Over the last couple of months he's been very helpful, and I know that he's at the other end of the phone at any time, and I'll certainly be using that contact.
"It makes it slightly easier as you know the personalities of the existing players and you know the structure of the club.
"I'm hoping the transition is a seamless one. it gives continuity for the club and the players, I'm just hoping we can all make the step up together.
"Obviously if it's not broken don't fix it but there will be tweaks that I have to exert some sort of stamp on the team and staff.
"It will be a very similar set-up because I was involved in a lot of what happened over the time I've been here.
"I'll be making slight tweaks but it won't be a huge overhaul of change."
Newry City AFC Chairman Martin McLoughlin said it was "an easy decision" as he highlighted the key benefits of appointing Boyle to the role.
He said: “Gary has been Darren’s assistant for a number of years and his football qualities as well as his dedication and professionalism have been evident throughout meaning it was both an easy and unanimous decision for the club’s management committee to offer him the managers post.
"The choice of Gary not only ensures that we have the level of stability which appointment from within brings but will also allow Gary to quickly work on securing new contracts with many of the current squad.
"Gary is also best placed to work on those areas where our squad is weak and requires strengthening and as a management committee we will give Gary and his backroom team every possible support.”
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