Ninth ex-Claret into managerial role (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ninth ex-Claret into managerial role

7:49am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in Football By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

THE number of former Burnley players managing Football League clubs has reached nine after Tony Philliskirk was put in temporary charge of Oldham Athletic.

Philliskirk is Oldham’s head of youth but is taking first-team training as the Latics search for a new manager following the exit of Paul Dickov at the weekend.

The 47-year-old scored nine goals in 49 matches for Burnley between 1994 and 1995 and is likely to take charge of Oldham for their League One match at home to Yeovil tonight, with an appointment yet to be made at Boundary Park.

Philliskirk’s new role follows the recent rise of Brian Flynn from scout to manager at Doncaster.

The 57-year-old was a popular figure at Turf Moor during two spells at the club and was recently put in charge of Doncaster until the end of the season following Dean Saunders’ departure to Wolves.

He took over a side second in League One, in contrast to his previous Football League jobs with Wrexham and with a Swansea side then battling to avoid relegation to the Conference.

“It’s better than the last two jobs and where I started there,” Flynn admitted about his new job, having left his role with the Welsh FA last summer.

“I’m enjoying it, it’s a great place to be.

“I took up the international role for eight years, working with elite talented players, playing against European sides like France, Italy, Germany on a regular basis and pitting my wits against them at different age groups.

“Travelling all the way round Europe and looking at different styles, tactics, the way they train – I’ve picked up many things.”

In temporary charge at Huddersfield is former Burnley youth team player Steve Eyre along with Mark Lillis. Eyre, 40, never made a first-team appearance for the Clarets but went on to manage Rochdale in 2011.

Blackpool are currently being led by ex-Burnley midfielder Steve Thompson, who is said to be hoping to get the job on a full-time basis following Michael Appleton’s departure.

In League One, Steve Davis has guided Crewe to 12th after being on the shortlist for the vacancy at Turf Moor earlier this season. But Scunthorpe, with Brian Laws back in charge for a second spell, sit third bottom.

In League Two, Mark Yates’ Cheltenham are well placed for promotion in third position.

Graham Alexander has taken 13 points from his first nine games in charge at Fleetwood, who are in ninth place. Paul Cook’s Chesterfield are in 11th position.

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