Doogie: Get Parky In!

Ex-Colchester United captain Karl Duguid is backing a return for former manager Phil Parkinson.

The U's are currently without a manager since the departure of Geraint Williams on Monday, with Parkinson being tipped to replace him. The now Charlton Assistant manager enjoyed great success as U's boss last time round, leading them to a historic promotion to the Championship.

However, Billy Davies, Ian Holloway and Alan Curbishley are all in the running as well.

Duguid, now with Plymouth Argyle, told the EADT: 'Phil Parkinson would be the No. 1 name on most Colchester fans' lips. I reckon the fans would love it.

'I know that Phil left under a bit of a cloud, but Colchester United is a different place now. When he first came, there was no money, an old stadium and no training ground.

'But now there's a brand new stadium, an ambitious young chairman and the promise of a new training ground. Being the manager of Colchester United is a very attractive club now,' Duguid added.

'I'm gutted for George (Geraint) Williams. It's never nice when a manager loses his job.

'I worked very closely with George over the years. I firstly played in the same team as him, and he was then asked to take charge of a few reserve games under Phil Parkinson.

'George worked his way up and he will go down in history as the manager who got the club to their highest ever league position (10th in the Championship in 2006-07).

'Phil Parkinson was the man who got the team promoted, and is therefore regarded by many fans as the club's best ever manager, but George was the coach at that time, so he must be the best coach.'

Duguid, 30, continued: 'Unfortunately, after a great first season as manager, George's hands were then tied in his second season. He lost nearly all his players and did not really replace them at the time.

'Since then Robbie Cowling has pumped in a lot of money, and is backing the club as much as possible. George brought in a lot of players this summer, and it's not quite worked for him, or at least not quickly enough.

'Six games into a new season isn't long, but that's football these days. Managers don't get very long.

'The chairman has put his money in, and he's a businessman. In fact looking at the team the previous weekend, there was more than £1m on the Colchester bench!'


See Also:


The Race To Replace - Day 1 Day 2



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