Monday 21 September 2015 15:34, UK
League One Peterborough have named Graham Westley as their new manager following the sacking of Dave Robertson earlier this month.
Westley, formerly the Preston and Stevenage boss, watched Posh's 1-1 draw at home to Walsall on Saturday and is excited to be taking charge.
"I'm thrilled," he said. "This is a great opportunity. It is a fantastic football club with a fantastic squad of players.
"There's not too many other clubs in League One spending around £4m putting a squad together and £1.5m came off the bench at the weekend so there's real strength and depth.
"The opportunity to work with a talented squad at a place that knows how to win is fantastic for me."
Let me state simply that I will never as Chairman of this football club sit back and watch what could be described as hoof ball or direct and ugly uninspiring football.
Westley left Stevenage in May after they were defeated in the League Two play-off semi-final and takes over a side currently lying 18th in the third tier.
Robertson was sacked after a run of three wins in 17 and caretaker boss Grant McCann has overseen a 5-1 defeat of Oldham and the draw with Walsall since then.
Westley, who becomes Peterborough's sixth permanent manager in just over five-and-a-half years, says he will retain McCann on his coaching staff.
Westley's possible appointment had prompted a negative reaction among a significant number of Posh fans on social media, his tenure at Preston having been overshadowed by reports of player unrest and criticism of his man-management and playing style.
But Peterborough Chairman Darragh MacAnthony released a statement, which said in part: "Today we welcome Graham Westley, after what has been an extensive interview process with some excellent candidates.
"I've spent the last 10 days getting to know Graham inside-out. Not only did we have a phenomenal one-on-one interview here in Florida, but we have spoken every day since Graham returned to the UK, as I took my time making the final decision.
"Before we ever spoke or met, I read all the various things written about Graham's time at Preston, his apparent preference in style of football and his apparent obsession with fitness and physicality, over style, flair and fast free-flowing football.
"To judge somebody on the views of others is something I'm never prepared to do without meeting and judging for myself.
"Graham has a burning desire to win, succeed and add to his previous success, which includes multiple promotions, league titles and multiple cup wins at Wembley, not to mention a near 50% win record.
"Graham Westley has achieved his success at what are so called unfashionable clubs and the one blip on his CV doesn't mean that he should be blackballed and blacklisted from working in football and at Peterborough United.
"Let me state simply that I will never as Chairman of this football club sit back and watch what could be described as hoof ball or direct and ugly uninspiring football. So understand that Graham Westley is clear on his objectives, what I want, and the job that needs to be done at our club and quickly.
"I am genuinely excited with this appointment and am looking forward to Graham showing our fans why I hired him above many others as our new manager."
