McAllister looks forward to challenge

Last updated : 02 May 2002 By Gary Broughton
It will prove a difficult task however. Coventry's financial debts have been well publicised over the last few months, and the new manager has been told he will have no fresh funds available to the squad.

Gary Mac is back!
"I have told Gary all he needs to know about the finances of the club. We may as well start as we mean to go on - honestly" explained new chairman Mike McGinnity, drafted in after his predecessor reluctantly resigned following a vote of no confidence.

McAllister is already assured of one extra player next season though - himself. And while the ex-Leeds midfielder is very much in the twilight of his career, he proved himself still as capable as ever just last season, helping his previous club Liverpool to win no less than five trophies.

His first task will be to select his right-hand man for the job. Eric Black was well touted last week, and is still favourite to be confirmed in the post, following his resignation as Motherwell manager last week.

The new boss knows there is plenty of talent in his squad, and probably feels they can perform a lot better than their eleventh place finish suggests. Towards the end of last year the Sky Blues actually led the First Division table, but then fell away in alarming fashion.

"When the manager is appointed, the first thing they ask for is time. But I think Coventry need to get back up there. Hopefully we can hit the ground running" said McAllister.

However, he still has a couple of weeks left of his old job yet, before he gets into the swing of things. Liverpool still see him as a vital asset as they attempt to steal second place in the Premiership from Manchester United, which would see them avoiding to start next season's Champions League campaign in the qualifying rounds.