Mark Yates wants Crawley Town to challenge for promotion
- Published
Recruitment key for Crawley - Yates
New Crawley Town manager Mark Yates hopes he can build a side which can challenge for promotion next season.
The 45-year-old was appointed by the Reds, who were relegated from League One earlier this month, on a two-year deal on Tuesday.
"I aim to be challenging for the play-offs or automatic [promotion]," he told BBC Sussex.
"The budget will not be the biggest but I'm used to that. I'll try and get the best possible squad."
He added: "We've no divine right to go up because we have come down.
"I will work tirelessly to bring a bit of success and give the supporters something to smile about."
Yates has been out of work since November, when he was sacked by League Two side Cheltenham.
He had reached the League Two play-offs in 2012 and 2013 and was the third-longest serving manager in the top four divisions at the time of his dismissal.
Mark Yates at Cheltenham | |
|---|---|
Yates played 230 games for Cheltenham between 1999 and 2004, scoring 22 goals | |
He returned to Whaddon Road in December 2009 as manager, following a spell as Kidderminster Harriers boss | |
Yates twice led the Robins to the League Two play-offs; losing in the final to Crewe in 2012 and in the semi-finals to Northampton a year later | |
After a 17th placed finish in 2013-14, he was sacked in November 2014 with the club 18th in the table | |
Yates' overall record: Played: 257 Won: 93 Drawn: 69 Lost: 95 |
"At Cheltenham I had a team where the sum of parts was better than the individuals we had," he said.
"I really believe I am a better manager than I was at Cheltenham. I felt I overachieved and was a victim of my own relative success."
Crawley chief executive Michael Dunford described Yates as a "good coach with a winning mentality".
He added: "Managing this club is not without challenges but he is raring to go and we are ready to support him.
"We are looking to bounce back as soon as possible and with Mark at the helm we stand an excellent chance of making progress."
Yates is set to appoint his backroom staff in the next couple of weeks, while also pursuing new signings for the West Sussex club.
Crawley currently have nine senior players under contract for next season.
- Published7 June 2019
