Dickov handed his big chance
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 02 June 2010
Ex-City striker to take over Boundary Park hot seat
PAUL Dickov is set to be installed as Athletic's new manager.
The Chronicle broke the news a week ago that the 37-year-old former Arsenal and Manchester City striker had attended an interview for the position.
And it is understood that he impressed enough for club directors to offer him a first-ever management role, taking over from previous boss Dave Penney, who was sacked on the eve of the final game of last season.
Dickov beat nine other interviewed candidates to the job, seeing off competition from current caretaker manager Martin Gray among others.
It is not yet clear whether he intends to carry on his playing career, which ended last season in promotion with Leeds.
Dickov's appointment has not yet been officially announced by Athletic. That is set to happen next week once contract formalities have been concluded.
The club are staying tight-lipped over the identity of their new man until then.
"Holidays have caused the delay with our preferred man out of the country," Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy said.
"While he has been away, we have been speaking with him over the telephone and discussing a number of matters relating to planning for next season.
"However, due to holidays, an official announcement will not be made until next week."
Dickov's appointment is something of a surprise given his lack of coaching experience, but it is hoped that the desire he has displayed in a 20-year playing career will transfer across to management, re-igniting the passion of lapsed fans.
Nicknamed 'The Wasp' by Joe Royle as a result of his fierce work-rate when the pair worked together at Manchester City, Dickov became something of a Maine Road legend whose iconic moment arrived in 1999.
An equalising goal in the fifth minute of added time at Wembley helped City overcome Gillingham in the League One play-off final, kick-starting the club's revival.
Dickov started his career with Arsenal as a trainee and the Livingston-born forward won the
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup with the Highbury club in 1994.
His switch to City arrived two years later for a fee approaching £1million and he spent six years at Maine Road, acquiring cult status in the process.
Dickov, who has 10 Scotland caps, also spent a considerable period of time with Leicester City and his other clubs include Blackburn, Crystal Palace, Blackpool and Derby County.
He was linked with a playing move to Toronto FC earlier this year to link up with fellow countryman Mo Johnston but later joined Leeds United on a short-term contract which expired at the end of the season.
MARTIN Gray has left Athletic after failing in his bid to become permanent manager.
The caretaker boss, who stepped up from his assistant role to take charge for the final game of the season against Charlton following the sacking of Dave Penney, departed Boundary Park this morning with a year left on his current contract.
ATHLETIC have extended the deadline for discounted season tickets as a result of the delay in announcing their new manager.
The cut-off date was to be tomorrow, but in light of developments fans can now take advantage of an extension until Friday, June 11, with a 5pm cut-off time.
“We realise that some fans are perhaps holding back on purchasing season tickets in order to see who is appointed as our new manager,” said Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy.
“The process has taken longer than we would have liked and it is only fair that we extend the deadline.”
