FORMER Celtic and Scotland captain Paul Lambert has been named the new manager of Coca-Cola League One strugglers Colchester United.
The 39-year-old replaces Geraint Williams, who left the Essex club by mutual consent last month following their disappointing start to the new season.
Lambert began his managerial career at Livingston and spent two years in charge at Wycombe bef
ore resigning at the end of last season following their elimination from the League Two play-offs. Former Crystal Palace defender Kit Symons, who was assistant to Williams, has been in temporary charge for the last four games but the Us have yet to register a victory at their new Community Stadium.
Chairman Robbie Cowling interviewed four candidates for the role and Lambert, who guided Wycombe to a memorable Carling Cup semi-final draw against Chelsea in 2007, was the board's unanimous choice.
"I thought when I came for my interview that whoever gets the Colchester job will have a really good board behind them with some great plans and I'm honoured to get the job," said Lambert.
"The club has gone up the leagues quickly and is now in a bit of a dip which is normal, but it's a vibrant club with a new stadium and one or two results just haven't gone their way, so it's up to me to rectify that.
"Geraint Williams did a terrific job and I will do my utmost to bring the club some success.
"The players are better than they have shown but results just haven't gone for them. They just need a little bit of guidance."
Symons and reserves manager Joe Dunne will take charge of the Us at Cheltenham tomorrow, but Lambert plans to bring in his own backroom staff.
Meanwhile, Gerry Francis has revealed he would be honoured to coach at Newcastle, but insists a deal to join Joe Kinnear's backroom staff is still a long way off.
Last week Magpies' interim manager Kinnear offered the former Tottenham manager a coaching role at the club.
Francis revealed his admiration for the club, but admitted he has yet to meet the 61-year-old to discuss the offer.
"I have spoken to Joe Kinnear and I have been made an offer," said Francis. "In the next few days we'll meet and discuss that offer. Newcastle is a tremendous football club and it would be an honour to coach there so it's nice to be asked to do that."
Another development at Newcastle yesterday saw recruitment chief Tony Jimenez become the first of Mike Ashley's principal backroom staff to leave since the club was put up for sale. Jimenez took the decision to depart St James' Park and the club have stated he is looking to "pursue other interests".
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