Marcus Bignot is the new man at the helm for Chester FC.
The Blues moved to appoint the former Solihull Moors and Grimsby Town boss to succeed Jon McCarthy, sacked a fortnight ago.
We've been covering the story all afternoon and you can read all the best bits right here.
Mark Maguire on chance of bringing in new players
Blues CEO says that there won’t be any radical overhaul of current playing squad under Bignot.
The reality is where we are. We thought that we’d invested well in the squad during the summer. In terms of the conversations we have had with Marcus so far we are all on the same page. It’s an easy thing to say we are going to spend lots of money and refresh a whole squad but we have some really good players here who we are confident with Marcus coming in will produce a bit of confidence to take them forward. The first priority is to get them playing, so there is no thoughts of radical change at this point, it is about getting behind what we have here and now.
Mark Maguire on appointment
We are delighted to welcome Marcus on board. We have been through an exhaustive process having met with and spoken to some exceptional candidates over the last few days. It is testament to the stature of Chester FC that we have attracted candidates of such high calibre. Marcus convinced the panel that he has the combination of skills to deliver results whilst building for the long term and enhancing the culture at the football club. We are looking forward to working with him.
A boost for the Blues' women's side
With a superb record during his time as boss of Birmingham City Ladies, we’re sure Chester Women’s boss Dean will be picking Marcus’ brains as soon as he can.
What the new boss said
Marcus Bignot spoke with the press this afternoon after being appointed Blues boss.
And he wasn’t afraid to back himself to turn around the club on the field and insists he will get results to lift Chester up the table.
That’s what we want to hear!
You can read his interview HERE.
Another managerial appointment
Barrow AFC have appointed Micky Moore as their first-team manager. New Blues boss Marcus Bignot had assisting Moore at the Bluebirds before making the move to the Swansay Chester Stadium.
Facebook Live
I’ll be on Facebook Live very shortly to discuss today’s appointment of Marcus Bignot. Come and share your thoughts HERE.
Bignot on his time at Grimsby
I got results and I maintained the same points ratio per game as the previous manager (Paul Hurst) who got headhunted and is now in League One (with Shrewsbury) and look at the job he’s doing (top of the table). I had the same points return, lost the best striker in the league (Omar Bogle) and the best goalkeeper in the league (Dean Henderson). The only disappointing this was we didn’t have time to implement a vision. My journey now is at a great club like Chester and I can’t wait to get started.
Confident approach
When asked ‘what can Chester fans expect from a Marcus Bignot side’, his answer....
Results.
Back from the ground
Our Chester FC reporter Dave Powell is back from the Deva. More to follow this afternoon.
Facebook reaction
Supporters have been having their say on our Chester FC Facebook page, too. Here’s some of the reaction...
Shelagh Pritchard: Great appointment, let’s press on from here.
David Evans: New blood, new passion and time to get behind the manager and the team.
William Temple: Good appointment.
Jon Ritchard: Not for me, but hoping he can turn the ship around. Good luck to the guy, a big job ahead of him. Time to get professional behind the scenes.
Steve Cooper: Marcus is a very popular choice! I don’t know anything about his experience and track record, but he must have impressed the board! He will need to bring one or two experienced players to the team! I don’t think it’s good enough right now! Good luck to him.
Chris Evans: Fantastic appointment from the club someone with ambition and will no doubt get the best out of the players we have. Time to move forward. COYB.
Love this story
Tom (Shaw) was my boot boy at Rushden and I’ve kept a close tabs on his career since. He’s a very good player and an excellent coach who has got a future in the game. But he’s still got a lot of time on the playing field as well. He will come on to the coaching side and I’m very excited about mentoring Tom. There will be someone coming in and joining the backroom staff.
Knows his stuff
I’ve done a lot of background into the team. I’ve been through all the season’s game now and I’ve got a clear understanding where the group is at and Tom Shaw will be pivotal in that. I know where the group’s at and I’m looking forward to taking it forward.
Sounds confident
We will turn it around. I’m sure the supporters will see a group that will be organised and have a structure both on and off the ball and they’ll have clear roles and responsibilities, and I honestly believe they’ll draw confidence from that, and if they’ve got that desire to work harder and smarter, I’m sure we’ll turn things around.
Bignot speaks
My next job it was important I’d be given an opportunity to bring success and Chester provides that.
'He blew us away'
It’s been an intense two days of interviews with an exceptional group of candidates. We thought it couldn’t get any better, then Marcus blew us away with his presentation. We’re delighted to have secured him.
Mark Maguire speaks
We thought we had invested really well in the summer and, from conversations with Marcus, we know where we are at. We’ve got a set of good players here and we’re confident Marcus will get them confident and improve them. There’ll be no radical changes at this point.
Bignot's remit
It’s to start to get results and start moving up that table. I’m not looking any further than getting positive results.
Bignot's live
Watch Marcus Bignot’s first press conference as Chester FC boss on our Facebook page HERE.
