Graham Westley named Preston boss after Stevenage compensation deal

Graham Westley has brought two of his assistants with him from Stevenage

Preston have confirmed the appointment of Graham Westley as manager after agreeing a compensation deal with his former club Stevenage.

The 43-year-old, who replaces Phil Brown, will be joined at Deepdale by his assistants at Stevenage, John Dreyer and Dino Maamria.

Westley told the club's website: "It is a privilege to be handed the reins at this historic football club."

He will take over after Saturday's League One home game against Wycombe.

Westley, Preston's fourth manager in the last three seasons, took Stevenage from the Conference to League One in successive seasons and was behind the cup upsets of Newcastle and Reading.

"When you see images of men like Sir Tom Finney, Alan Kelly and Bill Shankly looking back at you from the stands at Deepdale, you get a very clear sense of the responsibilities that you are accepting," he told pnefc.net.

"My job is to do my very best to re-ignite the club's on-field performance and in the first instance help the club to punch its weight."

Preston chairman Peter Ridsdale appointed Westley after a one-month search following the sacking of Phil Brown in December.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of our number one target," Ridsdale told the club's website.

"We look forward to working together to restore this fabulous football club to its rightful position in the football hierarchy."