Richardson: Bossing Reds is ambition (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Richardson: Bossing Reds is ambition

8:20am Saturday 27th October 2012 in Football By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

LEAM Richardson says he has some thinking to do as he ponders whether to remain at Accrington Stanley – but admits that becoming the club’s manager has long been one of his ambitions.

Richardson is in caretaker charge of Stanley for this afternoon’s home game against Bristol Rovers, following the departure of Paul Cook to Chesterfield.

Stanley chief executive Rob Heys has revealed that Richardson is set to be offered the chance to take over as boss, having worked as assistant manager to Cook following an impressive spell as caretaker when John Coleman left in January.

But all discussions are on hold until after today’s game, with Cook wanting Richardson to follow him to Chesterfield.

The former Blackburn Rovers defender seemed to give some indication of his thinking when he yesterday spoke of his ambition to manage Stanley, but also admitted he still potentially had a decision to make.

The Spireites could possibly offer Richardson a higher salary, and the 32-year-old is based in Yorkshire.

“Obviously I’ve got a few things to think about myself,” Richardson said.

“I’ve got a young family and things, so we’ll sit down after the game and see where we go from there.”

“But to be given that opportunity and to be spoken about like that (by Heys), it’s brilliant and it’s a really good compliment. I can’t thank them enough for that.

“We’ll get this game out of the way and we’ll weigh up our options.

“The opportunity is fantastic, I’ve been at the club a long time and I hold it high in my ambitions to be manager of Accrington Stanley.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot over the last nine months from Paul.

“Obviously we wish him well, it’s a big loss for Accrington but it’s a great gain for Chesterfield.

“The main focus now is Bristol Rovers though. They’re not really bothered if there’s a manager in place, they’re coming to win a football game and we’ve got to meet that head on."