Malpas is lined up for Swindon vacancy

Jan 8 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SCOTSMAN Maurice Malpas will become Swindon’s new manager once Andrew Fitton’s takeover of the Wiltshire club is completed.

Malpas, who left his role as Motherwell boss in the summer after one season, will be assisted by caretaker boss Dave Byrne at the County Ground, where Town will be in League I action a fortnight tonight.

The former Dundee United player and coach said: “I believe they’ve got a decent squad, and obviously you want to continue the development of the squad.

“The board’s realistic goals were one of the things I was looking for. They never said they were looking to be in the Premier League in two or three years. The goal is to reach the Championship, which I think is realistic.

“I think they appreciated the jobs I’ve done on tight budgets, my honesty and my philosophy. I have a background in making sure youngsters have their opportunities.”

“I think it would be wise to use David’s experience of the club and the division. The two of us should gel and we’re both looking forward to it.”

Chairman-elect Fitton said he was convinced once he met with Malpas, a friend of former Swindon chief Paul Sturrock, saying:

“When we met Maurice we knew immediately that he was the right person for the job. We had a list of criteria and we wanted to piece together the right team for the future of the business.”