Former Tottenham Hotspur star announced as manager of ninth-tier non-league side

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Pascal Chimbonda has been recently been appointed as the new head coach of ninth-tier Skelmersdale United in a move that very few saw coming.

Chimbonda ended his playing career in 2019, with his final club being Ashton Town. Previously, he had made 68 Premier League appearances for Spurs over the course of his time as a player, scoring three goals.

Chimbonda’s move to Skelmersdale marks his first foray into management, but he had a nomadic career before then - turning out for clubs such as Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Doncaster Rovers.

What division do Skelmersdale United play in?

Currently, Skelmersdale United find themselves in the North West Counties League, alongside outfits such as Chadderton, Glossop North End and the newly-reformed Bury FC. As things stand, Skelmersdale are bottom of the division on just three points - they do, however, have four games in hand over the team above them in the table.

So far, Skelmersdale have lost all but one of their games in the league this season - their sole victory came at the expense of Isle of Man FC, who they defeated by a score of 2-0 at their home ground (The Community Ground).

As such, it seems Chimbonda has quite a task on his hands. Skelmersdale are ten points from safety as things stand - can the former French international save the Blueboys?

What did Pascal Chimbonda say regarding the move?

Speaking on Skelmersdale United’s official club website, Chimbonda said: “It is a great honour to become manager of a club with a history as rich as that of Skelmersdale United Football Club. This is a very proud day for me and also a wonderful opportunity, and I am very eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players.

“I will be focusing on greater fitness which will match the intensity I expect of all the players. I’ve been inspired by Guardiola, Mourinho, Diego Simeone and Zinedine Zidane, and as such just like those great managers, my philosophy will be to play attractive football.

“I know how precious this club is to the supporters, and therefore we’re ready to work hard to give them what they want.”