York City manager Jackie McNamara admits he is delighted to have been handed a vote of confidence by chairman Jason McGill as the Minstermen look set to lose their English Football League status.
McGill wants the former Dundee United boss to oversee a ‘transformation’ at Bootham Crescent after admitting that the club’s problems run much deeper than what is happening on the pitch.
McNamara has won four of his 24 matches since being appointed last November and Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Leyton Orient leaves the team nine points adrift of safety in League Two.
The former Scotland and Celtic defender admits the chairman’s public backing is what he and his staff needed to hear.
McNamara said: “From my point of view and the rest of the staff, the chairman’s statement was really important.
“Regardless of what happens this season, the club needed changing from top to bottom to make sure that every year is not just about survival and we are moving forward.
“That means getting the reserve team and youth structure right, as well as the first team and that’s what I’ve done before, so I’m confident of delivering that.”
Speaking to the York Press, he added: “Obviously, the most important thing is to try and get over the line to secure our Football League status and, if we don’t achieve that, it would be a setback, but I’ve been a fighter all my life and I’m here to do the job to the best of my ability.”
In a statement, McGill said: “Taking everything into account, I believed then as I do now that Jackie McNamara is the best person to deliver the football club’s goals and aspirations.
“I can only go on his past performances, before York City, which show a healthy points per game and win ratio and just as importantly the development of players, who contributed to winning matches, who added value and who ultimately became important assets to his previous clubs.
“For York City to benefit from Jackie’s past experiences and his achievements, a successful pre-season is vital and recruitment is everything.
“There will be a transformation of methodology and the introduction of a new philosophy at the club, from the Academy right through to the reserves and first team.
“It is envisaged this will lead to energetic, exciting and entertaining football and a sustainable business model which will lead to investment in players and training ground facilities.”
