Latest news with #AshvirSinghJohal
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Morecambe FC: First Sikh professional football club manager appointed in UK
Ashvir Singh Johal has become the first Sikh to take charge of a professional British football has been appointed manager of National League side, Morecambe FC. At 30 years old, he has also become the youngest head coach in the history of the top five tiers of the this summer, Johal also became one of the youngest coaches in the history of English football to complete his Uefa Pro Licence qualification. What's happened with Johal and Morecambe FC? Johal has previously spent 10 years working in various roles in Leicester City's worked under Manchester City's current assistant coach, Kolo Toure, during his time at Wigan Athletic - and as an assistant to former Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas during his time at Italian Serie A side an interview with the BBC in June, Johal said: "I have been fortunate to work with and learn from some incredible people. "I know what world-class standards look like, how to lead with clarity, and how to develop a team with a real identity."We will create an environment that brings the best out of people, that people want to be part of, and that drives people to improve every day," he added.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Morecambe embargo lifted and first game to go ahead
Morecambe have confirmed their National League game against Altrincham will go ahead on Saturday and that they are now able to sign players. The Shrimps were forced to postpone their opening three games of the campaign after being suspended by the league for failing to comply with its rules. The future looked uncertain for the Lancashire club but their protracted takeover by the Panjab Warriors consortium was finally completed on Sunday. Derek Adams was sacked as manager on Monday and replaced with Ashvir Singh Johal, the first Sikh to manage professionally in England, on Tuesday. The club then confirmed on Wednesday that the National League had officially lifted their transfer embargo. The league had previously said the embargo would remain in place until all football creditors, including players, staff and HM Revenue & Customs, had been paid. "With new ownership steering the club into a new era, optimism is building both on and off the pitch," Morecambe said in a statement. "Fans can expect an electric atmosphere as the Shrimps look to make an early statement and set the tone for the season ahead. "This is more than just the first game of the season, it's the start of something special. We want to build a team and a club the town can be proud of, and we're calling on our supporters to come out in force and be part of this journey from day one." On Monday, the BBC understood Morecambe had just five players under contract. Saturday's opponents Altrincham have won one and lost two of their three league games so far this campaign.
ITV News
9 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Morecambe FC match against Altrincham will go ahead under new manager Ashir Singh Johal
Morecambe FC will play Altricham as planned on Saturday, 23 August, under new manager Ashvir Singh Johal. The Shrimp's previous two league matches were postponed following the club's suspension for failing to comply with National League rules. The club took to X to confirm that tickets are now on sale for their match at home to the Robins, despite doubts over whether the new manager could rebuild an 11-man squad in time. Morecambe FC, who were relegated from League Two at the end of the 2024/25 Season, were suspended from the National League in July amid ongoing financial issues. The suspension has now been lifted, with Owners Bond Group and investment firm Panjab Warriors agreeing a deal for the sale of the club, after more than a year of protracted talks and the Shrimps at risk of "immediate closure". The new owners first action was to part ways with manager Derek Adams, announcing Ashvir Singh Johal as the club's new manager just hours later. The 30-year-old is now the youngest head coach in the top five tiers of English football, and the first Sikh to take on the role at a British football club. Despite the uncertainty of the immediate future, the new boss is looking to the long term. 'The immediate priority right now is going to be to identify the players that we need in this building to ensure Morecambe Football Club can perform well in the National League,' he said in an interview with the club's official website. 'I think the short-term plan this year is to make sure that we retain our place in the National League by playing exciting, energetic football and working hard. I think that is a short-term aim. 'The long-term aim is to build the processes, the infrastructure. There's a clear commitment from the owners about the direction they want the club to go in. 'OK, now it's about building, and it's about growing and making sure that in three, four, five years' time, this is a completely energised and galvanised more football club that thrives in the EFL.' The club has confirmed the National League has lifted the embargo, and they are now free to sign players ahead of their first match.
India Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Who is Ashvir Singh Johal? The first Sikh and youngest manager in Britain's top five tiers
Ashvir Singh Johal has made history as the first Sikh to take charge of a professional British football club and the youngest manager across the top five tiers of English football. The 30-year-old has been appointed as manager of National League side Morecambe FC, following the club's takeover by the Panjab Warriors consortium. His appointment comes after the dismissal of Derek Adams earlier this this is Johal's first senior managerial role, his path to this position has been defined by years of dedicated coaching experience across youth and professional setups. He began his journey into coaching at the age of 16, completing his FA Level 1 qualification while still in school. He spent his teenage years laying cones, teaching PE lessons, and volunteering at Leicester City, where he gradually progressed from community sessions to coaching in the academy. Over a decade, he worked his way from coaching the U7s to the U18s, balancing his responsibilities with A-Levels and later university IS ASHVIR SINGH JOHAL?In 2022, Johal secured his first role in senior football as assistant coach at Wigan Athletic under former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure. Despite the brevity of Toure's tenure, Johal credits the experience as formative, highlighting lessons learned in leadership, professionalism, and team culture. He later joined another Arsenal great, Cesc Fabregas, as assistant manager of the Primavera (U19) team at Como in Italy. There, he continued his development, working closely with Fbregas and gaining valuable insight into tactical clarity and team identity. His time in Italy was cut short due to Brexit-related work permit issues, prompting a return to England, where he took charge of Notts County's B-team. The role allowed him to bridge the gap between academy and first-team football, offering an important stepping stone in his career. Earlier this summer, Johal became one of the youngest coaches in English football history to complete his UEFA Pro Licence, graduating alongside former England and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere. Just over a month later, he was handed his first professional managerial post with arrives at a club facing transition. The Shrimps' season was delayed after the National League suspended them for failing to meet compliance requirements. Their first competitive fixture is now scheduled for this Saturday against Altrincham, following their relegation from League Two in on his journey, Johal told the BBC in June that he had been preparing for this opportunity for several years. "I've been working hard for the last five or six years. I've known I wanted to be a manager. How do I learn from the right people? How do I be around the right environments? So that when I get the opportunity to be a manager, I'm successful from the start."He added, "This is about Morecambe Football Club. It's about building a team that can perform on the pitch. That's our priority this season."- Ends
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Morecambe to play first game of season on Saturday
Morecambe have confirmed their National League game against Altrincham will go ahead on Shrimps were forced to postpone their opening three games of the campaign after being suspended by the league for failing to comply with its future looked uncertain for the Lancashire club but their protracted takeover by the Panjab Warriors consortium was finally completed on Adams was sacked as manager on Monday and replaced with Ashvir Singh Johal, the first Sikh to manage professionally in England, on Tuesday."With new ownership steering the club into a new era, optimism is building both on and off the pitch," Morecambe said in a statement., external"Fans can expect an electric atmosphere as the Shrimps look to make an early statement and set the tone for the season ahead."This is more than just the first game of the season, it's the start of something special. We want to build a team and a club the town can be proud of, and we're calling on our supporters to come out in force and be part of this journey from day one."They will need to be busy in the transfer market before the end of the week though. On Monday the BBC understood the club had just five players under opponents Altrincham have won one and lost two of their three league games so far this campaign.
