Sunday 16 October 2016 14:53, UK
York City have confirmed the return of Gary Mills as first-team manager with former boss Jackie McNamara becoming chief executive of the National League club.
Mills previously managed the Minstermen from October 2010 to March 2013 and led them to promotion from the Conference to League Two in 2012, a week after they also lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley.
The 54-year-old was subsequently sacked after York struggled back in the Football League and has since gone on to manage Gateshead and Wrexham, who axed him on Thursday.
York have wasted little time in bringing him back to Bootham Crescent and he will be in charge for Monday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay at Curzon Ashton.
Mills will be assisted by youth-team manager Steve Torpey for that game after assistant manager Simon Donnelly left the club by mutual consent.
McNamara, however, remains at the club despite stepping down as manager following the 1-1 draw at Braintree last weekend, a match which followed his statement that he would resign if City failed to achieve a "positive result" in the game.
He subsequently oversaw Saturday's 1-1 home draw with National League North side Curzon Ashton on a caretaker basis and has now moved into a senior role at the club alongside chairman Jason McGill in the latest twist to the saga.
A statement announcing Mills' appointment read: "After careful consideration and upon completion of the interview process with a selection of potential candidates, it was decided that Gary Mills was the person most qualified to take the team forward and was consequently offered the role of first-team manager.
"Gary was delighted to accept the offer and once the terms of his employment had been agreed with the chairman, a meeting was arranged, at short notice, with Jackie McNamara to discuss his assessment of the current playing squad.
"Gary is looking forward to returning to York City FC and making an immediate impact with both players and results. Gary brings with him a depth of knowledge and experience at this level, together with a track record of getting the most out of players and is well known for his exciting, attacking and, when necessary, pragmatic brand of football to achieve positive results."
McNamara was appointed as manager last November but failed to save York from relegation back to the National League and Mills takes over with the team sitting down in 19th place with 13 points from 15 matches.
The Scot will, however, be working with his successor in the role of chief executive.
An additional statement read: "Jackie will focus on all operational aspects of the club with specific attention paid to the development of a communication strategy, effective both internally and externally, administration management, aspects of the academy, aspects of the Foundation and commerciality to name just a few of the areas of his involvement.
"When required by the first-team manager, assistance will also be provided by the chairman and chief executive, especially in relation to certain financial aspects of the playing budget. It is imperative that we support the first-team manager by taking away the non-playing issues so he can focus on results.
"It has become abundantly clear that a full-time chief executive is required at York City Football Club and Jackie is keen to implement and conclude the work we began to overhaul the club from top to bottom confirmed in the chairman's statement in April this year."
