'Love and passion' for the club meant Peterborough Sports boss made an instant decision to return and take charge at PIMS Park
It took Michael Gash a nanosecond to agree to take over as Peterborough Sports manager for the second time.
There was a dramatic development before training on Tuesday night with Gash asked to take the reins until the end of a season that is threatening to end in relegation from the National League North.
Experienced boss Phil Brown has moved upstairs to become the club’s first director of football. He will be watching future opponents while Gash runs the team in a big game against Southport at PIMS Park on Saturday (3pm kick off).
Brown had replaced Gash and co-boss Luke Steele in September, but he hasn’t inspired the expected improvement despite considerable financial backing from Sports owner/chairman Tim Woodward. Brown’s staff will stay and assist Gash who, with Steele, had previously led Sports to a record high finish and biggest points total at step two level in the club’s history. Steele is not coming back.
Sports are currently in the relegation with 11 games to go. They haven’t won any of the their last seven games which prompted Woodward to make his change.
Gash said: “I arrived at training on Tuesday and was told to report to the boardroom. Tim asked to me to be manager for the rest of the season and I agreed instantly. I would have given the same answer if I’d had time to think about it as my association with the club has turned into one of love and passion for the place.
"I will do everything and anything I can in the next seven weeks and 11 games to help this club get out of trouble. I spoke to the players last night and they are all on board.
"Included in those 11 games are seven against teams in and around us in the division and in our position at this stage of a season that’s all you could ask for.
"We need to win a good percentage of them, but that can happen. There is plenty of quality in the squad. We will all give everything starting on Saturday against a team who are in decent form and who have reached the FA Trophy semi-finals.”
Gash had a playing contract at Sports as well as a managerial deal so has been in and around the squad all season, albeit as a spectator for the most because of a bad injury.
He could play as a centre-back against Southport as Charlie Hickinbottom has a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Peter Crook is set to return after injury and Gash is hopeful key defender Connor Wood is available again. Former Posh youngster Aaron Powell is out.
"I have to speak to the staff on Thursday and get their input into team selection,” Gash added. “We all need to pull together on and off the pitch to start climbing the table.”
Sports follow the game with Southport with a tough trip to Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday (March 10). Kidderminster are fourth and a former club of both Gash and Brown.