Ex-Tottenham and West Ham star Matthew Etherington lands new job after managing just THREE games as Crawley boss
MATTHEW ETHERINGTON has been named the new manager of Colchester.
Etherington took over the U's Under-21 side during the summer but stepped up to replace Ben Garner at the senior squad last month.
The ex-Tottenham ace then led the League Two side to two wins and one draw in his first three matches in the third tier as caretaker boss.
That convinced Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling and sporting director Dmitri Halajko to make the former West Ham ace's appointment permanent.
Etherington said: "I'm extremely pleased, and obviously grateful to the chairman and Dmitri for giving me this opportunity, and I'll give everything I can to make sure this club is successful.
“It's been a decent start in terms of the league form, but we need to make sure we maintain that going forwards.
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“I'm a big believer in 'what will be will be' and here we are. I'm really looking forward to it and I'll give it everything I've got.”
Etherington hit the headlines last year in December when he was sacked by Crawley Town after just three games in his first managerial job.
However, the 42-year-old tactician's fortunes completely changed at Colchester Community Stadium.
Halajko said: "Matty has had a good response from the players and his league points' return has been excellent as interim head coach.
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“He's a Pro Licence coach who has had experiences of first team coaching at other clubs, along with a playing career at the highest level.
“These experiences will put Matty in a great position to be a successful at Colchester United.
“He will now have the opportunity on a full-time basis and will have the full support at everybody at the club as we look to continue climbing up the league table.”