Thursday 13 November 2014 17:58, UK
New Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was delighted with his first morning's work on the training ground, following his appointment on Wednesday.
The former Leeds and Chelsea striker took charge of his first session with the Albion squad at England’s St George Park base.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Hasselbaink said: “It went very well. The boys looked sharp, they had a good session, I’m very pleased.
Hasselbaink has taken over at the Pirelli Stadium after Gary Rowett filled the vacancy at struggling Championship club Birmingham following Lee Clark's departure.
Burton are fifth in League Two at the moment, and Hasselbaink believes he has enough knowledge of that division to continue the team’s push for promotion.
Gary has done exceptionally well here and we’re going to try and push that on and keep the positive vibe that is at the club at this moment in time.
“Since I’ve been out of work I’ve been watching a lot of football, and I’ve watched quite a bit in League Two and League One and also obviously in the Championship, but I’m quite familiar with League Two,” Hasselbaink said.
“I’ve spoken to the players, my target is as high as possible. Gary has done exceptionally well here and we’re going to try and push that on and keep the positive vibe that is at the club at this moment in time.
“I’m not going to tell you here that we’re going to end at this position or that position but we want to finish as high as possible up the league.”
Hasselbaink’s appointment means he is the third black manager in the Football League with Chris Powell at Huddersfield and Keith Curle at Carlisle.
But the Dutchman insists his race should not be an issue and has not idea if the quota of non-white managers is high enough.
Hasselbaink said: “I have no idea. Look I knew the question was coming but for me it’s not really that important. I just hope and I think the chairman chose me because of what I can bring to the club and that I’m the right man for the job, black, white or whatever.”
