Keith Downing appointed as Chief Coach

Keith Downing

Sounds ok, been around the block as manager and coach. Hopefully he'll be the man to ease some of the burden on the manager, good luck to him.

sounds promising, anything to make it easier for Schuey.

Spoke to a mate who supports wolves, had nothing but praise for him, on the pitch and when he coached the reserves.

good appointment just what steven needs behind him.

the job title however strikes me as odd considering a first team head coach is usual another name for the manager. I hope his role gets explained if he is running training over steven now

Reminds me of when the club appointed Paul Mariner as a head coach while we struggled to get luggy to resign as we couldnt afford to fire him.

Keith Downing, who guided England under-19s to the European Championship success in 2017, has joined Plymouth Argyle as first team head coach.

The 56-year-old will assist recently-appointed Pilgrims' boss Steven Schumacher and work alongside Kevin Nancekivell in coaching the first team.

Downing's first game in the Argyle dug-out will be on Boxing Day away to Cheltenham Town, a club that he managed in 2007 and 2008.

His most recent job was at Bristol City where he was appointed as an assistant head coach to Dean Holden and remained at Ashton Gate until October.

Schumacher said: "Keith has joined this week. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. I felt it was really important that I brought in somebody as a calming figure alongside me.

"In my first managerial job it's important that the coaching department and that side of things is still taken care of, and there is no better person in my opinion right now than Keith Downing to do that.

"Obviously, I'm going to be doing slightly different things being the manager. I have got other focuses as well as the coaching, but Keith has been there, seen it and done it.

"He's well respected throughout the game and I'm really pleased that he has decided to come and join us."

Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip has known Downing personally and professionally for a number of years, working with him through the England youth set-up.

That included the 2017 European Under-19 Championship success, when England beat Portugal 2-1 in the final.

Schumacher said: "Keith was recommended to me by Neil pretty much straight away when I agreed to take the manager's job.

"He told me Keith was out of work, which I knew because I'm real good friends with one of Keith's good friends, Rob Kelly, another experienced coach in the game.

"It just all fitted. For me it was what I need. I need somebody alongside me who can help, can give me little bits of advice and, most importantly, improve the team."

Schumacher added: "Keith has come in as my No 2, if you like, and Nance is still first team coach. Nothing has changed. We all have different roles and responsibilities.

"My role and responsibility now is to talk to you guys (the media) as well as everything else and while I'm doing that Keith will be working hard to make sure the small details in the sessions are right.

"So when we all go out on the grass together it flows the way a good coaching team should flow."

Schumacher was asked whether there would be any further additions to his backroom staff and replied: "That's it for right now. There is no other news to confirm.

"As the weeks come and go we will reassess it but right now I feel as though we have got a real good coaching team. Anything else that happens would only be done if we feel it would improve everyone."

Downing joined Cheltenham in 2004 as assistant manager to John Ward and then took over from him when he left for Carlisle United in 2017.

He continued as the Robins' boss until September 2008 and later had spells at Port Vale and West Bromwich Albion before he became part of the England youth set-up, first with the under-20s and then the under-19s.

Schumacher said: "Keith knows Cheltenham really well. He knows what the club is all about. He has mentioned about what to expect when we go to Whaddon Road.

"He's a brilliant addition to the team and we are really pleased that he's on board."

Some usually reliable sources within football had suggested earlier this week that 35-year-old Bristol Rovers defender Mark Hughes wold be joining Argyle as a coach.

Asked about that, Schumacher said: "I can't confirm anything on that. Me and Mark have been good friends for years and played together at Everton, Bury and Stevenage.

"We pick up the phone to each other every week. He's a centre-back so I'm always forever on the phone to him 'Go on, what about this centre-forward, tell me about him? and get information.

"He's going to be a top coach one day because he studies the game but as of right now he's still a Bristol Rovers player. He has still got a playing contract, he's out injured at the moment.

"That's where it's at right now. If things change in the future then so be it."

link

Newbie manager with a very experienced coach, makes sense to me. Not sure it's just down to Covid but Hallet seems to be stepping back fully from running the club and it seems like Dewsnips is the boss to all intents and purposes?

Sounds a sensible appointment - we will see, as always.

Earwegoagain wrote:

Newbie manager with a very experienced coach, makes sense to me. Not sure it's just down to Covid but Hallet seems to be stepping back fully from running the club and it seems like Dewsnips is the boss to all intents and purposes?

Hallet never has run the club on a day to day basis thats always been the CEO Parkinson on his behalf.

This looks like a very good set up.


When the previous manager joined PAFC, it was suggested he needed some one more experienced as his assistant.

Angry wrote:

Earwegoagain wrote:

Newbie manager with a very experienced coach, makes sense to me. Not sure it's just down to Covid but Hallet seems to be stepping back fully from running the club and it seems like Dewsnips is the boss to all intents and purposes?

Hallet never has run the club on a day to day basis thats always been the CEO Parkinson on his behalf.

I know it's the job of the CEO maybe I didn't phrase it well let's say that last season Si said this, SI said that and he was regularly posting stuff yet this season he has gone a bit quiet.

Earwegoagain wrote:

Angry wrote:

Earwegoagain wrote:

Newbie manager with a very experienced coach, makes sense to me. Not sure it's just down to Covid but Hallet seems to be stepping back fully from running the club and it seems like Dewsnips is the boss to all intents and purposes?

Hallet never has run the club on a day to day basis thats always been the CEO Parkinson on his behalf.

I know it's the job of the CEO maybe I didn't phrase it well let's say that last season Si said this, SI said that and he was regularly posting stuff yet this season he has gone a bit quiet.

I think the last couple years has seen major upheaval behind the scenes at Home Park, as we were/are slowly but surely being properly professionalised ( if that’s even a word?). You’re right, Hallett has been very communicative since he’s come in. I think maybe the big changes have all been implemented now, and there isn’t a huge amount to update us on.

Czarcasm wrote:

Earwegoagain wrote:

Angry wrote:

Earwegoagain wrote:

Newbie manager with a very experienced coach, makes sense to me. Not sure it's just down to Covid but Hallet seems to be stepping back fully from running the club and it seems like Dewsnips is the boss to all intents and purposes?

Hallet never has run the club on a day to day basis thats always been the CEO Parkinson on his behalf.

I know it's the job of the CEO maybe I didn't phrase it well let's say that last season Si said this, SI said that and he was regularly posting stuff yet this season he has gone a bit quiet.

I think the last couple years has seen major upheaval behind the scenes at Home Park, as we were/are slowly but surely being properly professionalised ( if that’s even a word?). You’re right, Hallett has been very communicative since he’s come in. I think maybe the big changes have all been implemented now, and there isn’t a huge amount to update us on.

As if by magic he's released a Christmas missive. ATD regular foreshore.

Positive interview.