We have to move on: Dickov

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov hopes to be able to appoint a new right-hand man next week.

Youth team chief Tony Philliskirk and centre of excellence manager Mick Priest took up vacant spots in the coaching ranks at Scunthorpe following the club’s decision to jettison Dickov’s assistant Gerry Taggart, sports science man Paul Butler and first-team coach Lee Duxbury at the start of the week.

Goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard, whose own position is under review, also lent a hand to the manager in the Glanford Park draw.

Dickov chose not to comment publicly on his feelings on the enforced loss of his backroom team, which came after summit meetings were held with chairman Simon Corney and the board across the weekend — other than to deny he feels undermined. No one has yet been lined up to join the Athletic backroom team.

“I think we have got to draw a line under it,” said Dickov. “The club has made the statement and we have to move on. We have a few days before the Nottingham Forest game and a week after that.

“I would like to think that by the Brentford game, somebody will be in — but as I said, I have not had time to think about it.”

Dickov, who said any appointment will be his responsibility, paid tribute to the staff placed on “gardening leave”.

“Dux has been at the club a long time and I’ve worked with him every day for the last two-and-a-half years,” he added. “Gerry and Paul Butler are some of my best friends. They have taken it well and understand that that is football.

“They don’t hold any grudges against the club and in fact, went round the club and thanked everyone for the last two and a half years — which after what’s happened shows a lot of integrity.”



Dickov is hopeful of restoring striker Matt Derbyshire on loan now the transfer window has reopened.

But he said there are no plans to bring in anyone else — despite losing Dean Furman to the African Cup of Nations after the Forest FA Cup tie on Saturday, Cristian Montano to a thigh injury and James Wesolowski to suspension.

“We need bodies,” Dickov admitted.

Reece Wabara's current loan runs out after the Forest game and Jose Baxter is out of contract on January 14.

“With Jose (Baxter) and Reece (Wabara) hopefully we can keep them and we are still speaking about Matt Derbyshire. It all depends on whether I am allowed to do that or not,” the manager said.