Friday 8 March 2013 17:53, UK
Steven Pressley insists he would not have joined Coventry if he did not feel comfortable about their off-field difficulties.
The Scot, who enjoyed a brief playing spell with the Sky Blues in 1994/95, came across in a calm, assured and warm manner as he was unveiled to the media on Friday afternoon having penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at the League One club. He arrives at a time when cash-strapped Coventry are embroiled in an ongoing rent row over the Ricoh Arena, which has subsequently seen their bank accounts frozen, while last week they were placed under a transfer embargo having again failed to file their annual accounts on time. However, following the resignation of deputy chairman John Clarke on Monday, rumours that administration, or possibly even liquidation, is imminently looming for the midlands outfit have been dispelled. Yet despite the worrying times, Pressley said: "I'll be perfectly honest, I wouldn't be sitting here today I can assure you of that if I wasn't comfortable with the current situation. "Of course there are challenges ahead and we're very much aware of those but I'm very comfortable with the situation. "I've spoken to Joy (Seppala, boss of owners SISU), Tim (Fisher, chief executive) and Steve (Waggott, development director), and I believe we can get through this period and then get the opportunity to truly build this football club." Pressley arrives following a three-year stint north of the border with Falkirk. Waggott turned to none other than Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who played for Falkirk at the end of his career, and has exchanged training ground visits with Pressley in the last couple of years, to pick his brains over the 39-year-old, who in turn admitted he was "hugely honoured" to hear of the glowing reference. Waggott said: "We obviously wanted to have a look at some references, from people who had been tracking Steven more closely. "And there's no bigger reference in the game of football here than Sir Alex Ferguson, who called to give me a glowing report of one of many talents to have come out of Scotland. "He gave full approval and said that given time and the right support he believes Steven is a great choice for the juncture that Coventry City arrive at at the moment."