PHOTO: Guy Whittingham (Caretaker Manager) (pictured right) and Andy Awford (Assistant Caretaker Manager) Portsmouth FC shown taking training November 8, 2012
November 8, 2012
Guy Whittingham has been given the Caretaker Manager job with Pompey together with Andy Awford as his assistant following the departure of first team manager Michael Appleton, who has bagged a job with Championship side Blackpool. The pair of them sit alongside each other in Pompey’s Hall of Fame. Now Guy Whittingham and Andy Awford are serving together as the Blues’ managerial team. The duo will take charge of Pompey at Bury on Saturday. Awford was asked to step up from his job as Academy manager to assist stand-in boss Whittingham in first-team duties. The duo established themselves as Fratton favourites whilst playing in the same teams together. And for Whittingham, there is no-one better to serve as his right-hand man. He said: ‘Myself and Trevor Birch sat around a table and, considering the state of affairs at the moment, it had to be done in-house. ‘It was just felt we needed somebody alongside me with the football knowledge that Awfs has got. ‘Ultimately, it will be my call, but you are always open to persuasion and people see different things when you are looking at solutions. ‘I am looking forward to it. Me and Awfs are similar on our philosophy of football, anyway, having played under Jim Smith. ‘We have talked lots of times since we’ve been back at the club together. ‘We’re good friends so that helps. ‘Part of being good friends is making sure you tell each other what you think – and we’re open enough and honest enough to do that.’ |