We’re lucky to have him - Corney

Photo: PICTURES by ANTHONY MILLER.

COMMON GOAL: new Athletic manager Lee Johnson (left) and club chairman Simon Corney.

ATHLETIC chairman Simon Corney doesn’t think his Boundary Park board has taken a risk appointing rookie manager Lee Johnson.

Suffolk-born former Yeovil, Bristol City, Hearts and Kilmarnock midfielder Johnson signed a two-year deal as Paul Dickov’s official replacement, making him, at 31, the youngest manager in the Football League.

There was shock among Athletic fans when rumours began to surface on Sunday night who the new boss was to be.

But Corney is overjoyed to have nailed his man - even though he wouldn’t have been at the top of the list following Dickov’s departure early last month.

“It was a long, hard process,” said Corney. “Many names were under consideration, but in the end this was very much an appointment made with a bright future in mind. The board and I are all delighted.

“I probably wouldn’t have considered Lee right at the beginning but we invited him in for an interview and some of his ideas just blew me away.

“He came very highly recommended but I took a step back and asked the board to see what they thought.

“They were equally enthusiastic. The whole package is there with Lee. Some people may well see this as a risky appointment, and I can live with that. We are absolutely sure we’ve got the right man.

“He’s determined to make a big future for both himself and Oldham Athletic, and I think we’re very lucky to have him, rather than the other way round.”