Portsmouth boss Paul Cook has today revealed why he moved out Andy Awford’s backroom staff and bought in his own.
Cook saw assistant manager Gary Waddock, first team coach Paul Hardyman, head of recruitment Andy Melville and strength and conditioning coach Louis Langdown depart soon after he arrived. To replace the quartet Leam Richardson and Ian Foster were brought in.
Richardson (pictured below) had previously worked with Cook at Chesterfield while Foster was formerly a development coach at Coventry.
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While Waddock was seen as part of the long-term future of the club, there is now no way back for him. However, Hardyman, who has spent a quarter of a century serving the South Coast side is hopeful of a new role after meeting with Cook. He told the Portsmouth News:
“We’ve had a couple of conversations and Paul told me he would like me to stay on in some capacity, which was great of him. So I’m hopeful something may come out of it. I’m hoping to get something sorted out as quickly as possible.”
Cook also revealed why he made the decision to bring in his own people. Also speaking to the Portsmouth News he said:
“I think it’s important that you do have people around you, first and foremost, that you trust. It’s important that they know the manager and how I work – I think that is the most important thing”
