Colchester United: Danny and Nicky Cowley were 'first choice if we could get them'
- Published
Danny (left) and Nicky Cowley brothers have also managed in the EFL at Lincoln, Huddersfield and Portsmouth
Danny and Nicky Cowley were always Colchester United's first choice to become the club's management team, says sporting director Dmitri Halajko.
Danny Cowley, 45, was appointed head coach by the U's on Thursday, with brother Nicky as his assistant.
"They were excited to get the call from us and because they are from the area it means that little bit more," Halajko told BBC Essex.
"We explained the project and there was immediate positivity and interest."
The Cowleys' fourth job in management in the English Football League - at a place where they have been frequently linked given their Essex roots, having previously managed in non-league with Concord Rangers and Braintree - finally came in the wake of Matty Etherington's dismissal on New Year's Day.
They arrive with Colchester in danger of returning to the fifth tier for a second time, having last gone down into non-league in 1990.
But being 22nd in the League Two table, five points clear of trouble, has not fazed them - and their long-term thought processes will be more in line with the two seasons the club spent up in the Championship from 2006 to 2008 than the two seasons down in the Conference from 1990 to 1992.
"For us, our next job was about finding the right people and the right project," Danny Cowley, who has not held a managerial role since leaving Portsmouth a year ago, told BBC Essex.
"From speaking to the owner, Robbie Cowling, it is clear he is so passionate about the club and wants it to do well.
"We have been so impressed with what the club is doing off the field and the infrastructure in place. It is clear it needs some help and that is what we are here to do."
The Cowleys rose to national prominence when they led Lincoln from the National League to League One, as well as to an FA Cup quarter-final at Arsenal when still a non-league side in 2017.
They have since had spells at Huddersfield Town and Pompey, and were close to joining Bradford in the autumn.
"The chairman made it clear Danny and Nicky were our first choice if we could get them," said Halajko.
"They can mould a group of players and we believe they can create something special.
"They are very clear about the short-term targets we have for them and we were impressed with how they have identified how they can achieve those before going on to the medium and long-term targets."
'The Cowleys like winning'
Danny Cowley added: "Being Essex boys we have an affinity for the area and the club.
"This is also a proud moment for our families. It's great to be back in Essex. We've had a lot of success here.
"We need everyone to feel a part of what we are doing. It does not matter if you are making the tea, cleaning the toilets or a 25-goal number nine, everybody is contributing. Everybody has to be aligned. That is what happens in the best organisations.
"Nicky and I like winning, we are used to winning and we'll be doing all we can to help the team.
"It is obvious it needs to improve defensively and in its structure against the ball. You can talk about structure and tactics but with that you have to bring intensity and commitment.
"We want to play fast, attacking football but also we need to be harder to play against."
For Nicky Cowley, joining Colchester ends a long wait for the brothers to get back into the game.
"The itch to get back in was almost immediate after leaving Portsmouth because we love our football so much," he said.
"We love helping players and helping clubs. This has always been a club we have admired and we are really excited about the journey ahead.
"Danny and I have had a great time together and have been lucky to work together for much of our professional life.
"There are some great things in place here and we are here to try to improve areas where we think we can get some quick wins."