Morecambe have appointed Ashvir Singh Johal as their new manager, making him the first Sikh to manage a professional British club and the youngest manager in the top five tiers of English football.
The 30-year-old Johal was confirmed as Morecambe manager just 48 hours after Panjab Warriors completed their National League takeover, vowing to prevent past issues from recurring.
“I’m proud to lead Morecambe and can’t wait to meet the fans and build an exciting, hard-working team to retain our league place,” he said.
Though new to first-team management, Johal has a strong CV: starting as a teenage coach in Leicester City’s schools programme, leading their under-18s, assisting Kolo Touré at Wigan, working with Cesc Fàbregas at Como’s Primavera side, and managing Notts County’s B team while completing his Uefa Pro Licence as one of the youngest ever.
“I’ve prepared for this opportunity since I was 14 or 15,” he added. “Now my goal is to make Morecambe thrive, not just survive.”
Johal had long been Panjab Warriors’ preferred candidate, with Derek Adams relieved of duties on Monday. Although the National League suspension is lifted, Morecambe currently lacks enough players, and Saturday’s match against Altrincham is likely to be postponed.
