The Shrimps have undergone huge changes over the past couple of days, which saw an ownership change and now a managerial change. Derek Adams was relieved of his duties and has been replaced by the first Sikh manager to take charge of a football club.
Johal has previously been an assistant manager at Wigan Athletic when the club was in the Championship under Kolo Toure, and he was also the under 21’s boss at Notts County last season, where he was one of the youngest coaches to complete their UEFA Pro Licence. During former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas’ first campaign at Como 1907 in Italy, Johal worked alongside the Spaniard, making up his coaching staff.
Considering this is the 30-year-old’s first job as a first-team manager, the task on hand for him is enormous. Morecambe have not played a single league game this season due to financial difficulties, but the new ownership change has now brought a feel-good factor back to the club, as it can start playing matches again.
Image: Morecambe FC
But a complete revamp of the squad is needed, following a mass exodus of last season’s playing squad over the summer. The team is set to take on Altrincham FC on Saturday in their first game of the season, which will be at home at the Mazuma Stadium. Aldershot Town will be their first away game on 25 August. The turnaround for their first two clashes is set to be slim, as they are in line to play two matches in just three days.
The club confirmed on Wednesday morning that the National league has officially lifted the transfer embargo on the club, meaning that they can now sign players ahead of their game against Altrincham. The Lancashire outfit need to act quickly during the transfer window and bring in a huge number of signings to put them in the best position for their first two matches of the season. Altrincham, managed by Phil Parkinson, have won one of their first three league matches this season, losing their last two.
Aldershot Town have lost all of their first three games this season, and they are currently below Morecambe in the table, due to a worse goal difference, with both sides sat on zero points.
Following relegation from the Football League last summer, the club will look to bounce back into the EFL as early as possible.
In his first interview with the club, Johal said: “I think our short-term plan this year is to make sure that we retain our place in the National League by playing exciting, energetic football and working hard”.
While the players and coaching staff will want to hit the ground running, it will be a difficult task on hand for the side. To transfer the manager’s tactical philosophy over to a playing squad in just days will be a tough ask, but right now, the fans will only care about their club being saved.
