Chester FC chairman Simon Olorenshaw is backing 'infectiously enthusiastic' Jon McCarthy to succeed in his new role as Blues manager.
McCarthy was named as Chester boss on a permanent basis on Saturday morning, unanimously getting the nod from those on the interview panel and seeing off competition for the role from the likes of ex-Eastleigh boss Richard Hill, former Blues midfielder Paul Carden and ex-Everton and Newcastle United player Steve Watson.
Former Northern Ireland international McCarthy could not have done much more during his four-game audition as caretaker boss following the departure of Steve Burr, winning three of his four games in charge and guiding Chester to National League safety.
And Olorenshaw was full of praise for McCarthy, highlighting his enthusiasm and passion for the club and the tactical nous that he demonstrated during his caretaker spell.
“Jon is absolutely the right man to lead us forward and we are delighted to have him at the helm,” said Olorenshaw.
“He has shown us not only what he can bring to the squad on the pitch and his tactical knowledge but also his passion for the club and understanding of its values on and off the pitch.
“He was passionate in the interview and he blew us away with his enthusiasm. He showed more desire than we saw from any other candidate and that is what really won us over.
“We could have gone in a different direction but Jon has earned his chance and we're really excited for the future. He has been able to restore some of the feel-good factor that was missing and won over a lot of people with how he has approached it all.”
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Olorenshaw praised fans for giving McCarthy the chance to prove himself and earn the job his own merits and not be seen as just Burr's former right-hand man.
“Jon has won a lot of people over and the fans have been excellent in allowing him the chance to be judged on his own merits,” said Olorenshaw.
“When he took the job on a caretaker basis there was some negativity that Jon would be just a continuation of what had already been before, but that is not the case.
“He is his own man and has his own ideas and knows exactly what this club is about. I know some people might think that he was on the training ground for the last two-and-a-half years with Steve Burr, through the good and the bad. When someone is the manager you have to go along with what they ultimately decide.”
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With McCarthy's previous role seeing him oversee the Community Trust, a role he is to leave, Olorenshaw believes the new manager will help bridge the gap between the first-team and the community and help repair some of the disconnect that has been felt in some quarters in recent times.
“Jon knows the values of the club and how much the community is a part of it,” he said.
“He is wanting to have more of a crossover and have the first-team players involved with the Community Trust. He wants there to be a feel and a connection for the club and wants them to spend more time at the ground, in the community and meeting the fans. Jon wants to encourage more togetherness and he has our total backing.”
