Monday 13 October 2014 18:08, UK
Chairman Peter Swann has told new boss Mark Robins to keep Scunthorpe in League One with a view to a play-off challenge next season.
Robins, 44, who has signed a three-year contract, was unveiled at Glanford Park as a permanent replacement for Russ Wilcox, who was sacked last Wednesday after only a year in charge. "I want him to keep us up - that's the most important thing," Swann said. "Then get us competitive and see where we go. I don't want to stop at that because we can kick on and get a few wins under our belt. "But if we can in League One, then hopefully put some good blocks down ready for the future, bringing in people for the future however he wants to see the team progress. "I would love to see us challenging next season. Just thinking beyond here is always difficult, but I do feel if we work hard and secure our place we'll be a better team next year." Swann revealed former Rotherham, Barnsley, Coventry and Huddersfield manager Robins was his number one target and that he had not spoken to any other candidates about the job. "You're never quite sure because when you target somebody you're always taking a risk because if it fails, anybody looking round will say I wasn't your first choice. "So there was a big risk in it but after a lot of consideration and talking to people who knew Mark, we felt he was the ideal candidate and for the project as well. "I needed to get his interest and I did. I didn't need a short-list. He was my main target. "There's a lot more to Mark than just doing that. When you look at what he's done at these clubs, he's developed a rapport and a philosophy with the club. "So not only does he get them out of trouble, he puts them in a position to win something. "He's not been able to do that at his previous clubs and we thought what if he does kick on, what sort of manager would he be? "There's just that promotion to get on his CV now, so I'm looking way ahead and thinking can I actually help him do that?"
