Plymouth sack Paul Sturrock but give him new 'business' role

Published on Thursday 10 December 2009 22:07

PAUL Sturrock has been removed from his position as manager at Plymouth Argyle and handed a business support role at the Coca-Cola Championship club.

Paul Mariner, the head coach who rejoined the Pilgrims earlier this season, will instead take charge of all football activities until further notice and is set to be in charge for tomorrow's league match at Preston North End.

"The board has decided to make this move following the continuing poor set of results," Argyle chairman Sir Roy Gardner told the club website yesterday. "We're convinced we have the capability to remain in the Championship."

Plymouth have struggled for form this season and are lying second bottom of the table, having won only four games. Sturrock, the former Dundee United and St Johnstone manager who joined Plymouth for a second time in 2007, will now be working on plans to improve the club's training facilities.

"Paul is remaining at the club, working closely with business director Keith Todd," said vice-chairman Paul Stapleton. "We'd like to thank Paul for his considerable contribution for Plymouth Argyle over many years.

"But he's (Sturrock] a realist and knows that if the results haven't come then we need to do something.

"There comes a time like everything in football where you have to look at the facts, look at the results, look at the points and say to yourselves we need to address that now before it gets too late."

Mariner, 56, joined Plymouth as head coach from American side New England Revolution in October. The former England striker, who made 135 appearances for the Pilgrims between 1973 and 1976, scoring 56 goals, described the changes as bittersweet.

"It's a sad day, but obviously a happy day for me because I'm getting my chance to be a manager in the league," said Mariner. "He's (Sturrock] a great friend of mine. The bond that we have together is quite remarkable and we have a mutual respect for each other."

Sturrock's two spells at Home Park have brought mixed fortunes for the Devon side. His first stint at Home Park saw Argyle gain promotion from League Two in 2002 and they were promoted again in 2004, shortly after his departure to Southampton. After his return to the club in November 2007, Sturrock has struggled to reproduce the results. Last season, the Pilgrims finished only one place and five points above the relegation zone.

In July of last year, the Scot revealed that he had been taking medication for a mild version of the neurological condition Parkinson's Disease. He disclosed it was first diagnosed in 2000.