Paul Dickov feels he served his managerial apprenticeship with Oldham and is ready to come of age with Doncaster Rovers.
The 40-year-old was unveiled as Rovers’ new boss yesterday following a gruelling interview process, ending a three month spell out of work after resigning from his post with Oldham.
And despite his struggles at Boundary Park, Dickov insists he is ready for the Championship challenge ahead.
“For me personally, this is exciting,” Dickov said.
“This is something I feel I’ve been ready for.
“This is a fantastic club, a stable club and that’s something I’ve been striving for in my managerial career - to have the basis to go and work and be able to manage a football club in the way I want to.
“I’ve had two and a half years with Oldham which has been fantastic for me as a young manager.
“I had to work to strict budget with limited resources at times.
“When you’re a player and you go into management, you think you know what the job entails.
“When you’re in there, you realise you’ve not got a clue.
“You’ve got to think on your feet, learn the job and know you’re ready for it.
“I know I’m ready for it.
“It’s a step up but a step up I think I’m ready for. I’m enthusiastic about it.
“It’s a challenge but it’s a challenge I’m going to embrace.”
Former Manchester City striker Dickov yesterday signed a one year rolling contract with Rovers.
Despite an impressive cup run with Oldham which saw Liverpool knocked out of the FA Cup, Dickov found himself under pressure due to the club’s poor position in League One.
However, it is Dickov’s time with Oldham that attracted the attention of Rovers chairman John Ryan.
“We were very impressed with Paul with the way his Oldham side played against us three times last season,” Ryan said.
“We feel he’s got all the credentials to come on and become a fantastic manager in the future.
“He’s very organised, very hard working, very enthusiastic.
“He has a knack of picking the right player, putting round pegs in round holes.”
Dickov’s first order of business is to sit down with director of football Brian Flynn and player-coach Rob Jones to discuss the club’s retained list.