Ian Dawes believes it is a “real honour” to be appointed as Tranmere Rovers manager, and he is relishing the opportunity at Prenton Park.
Dawes’ appointment as permanent manager was confirmed on Thursday, after serving the Club as interim manager three times since arriving in the summer of 2020.
Andy Parkinson will remain as first-team coach, as Dawes’ appointment begins a new era for Tranmere Rovers Football Club.
Dawes said: “It’s an honour to be the Tranmere manager, it’s a massive football club and it’s a great honour for myself to be the manager.
Having already had three interim spells, I’m now ready to take control of the team and implement my own style and ideas.
“What I would like to reassure the fans, is that I’m not just taking the job because it is available to me, I’m taking it as I believe that I can be a success.
“It’s an opportunity I’m relishing and I want to reassure the fans that I personally hate failure and would not have taken the job unless I was confident of bringing success to the Club.
“I know it is equally important to win games as it is to develop players. Every player that steps foot onto that pitch has to play for the badge and make the fans and the Club proud and this is one of the key messages I will be implementing.
“When I looked at the team that we have behind us, staff and players, available for next season, I knew in my heart of hearts that it could be a success, so that played a huge part in me taking the job.
“I’ve got good knowledge about the Club, I know what the Club needs and fans expect with the type of players and performances, I’ve been fortunate to be here for three years and I’ve got an advantage having seen that.
“The planning and preparation for the summer is so important now, so when we get back in for pre-season, we’re ready and we’ve got a team ready to compete.
“With the players we have under contract, the re-signing of a few and adding the right players and balance to improve the squad, I believe we can see an improvement and get back to having something to play for come the end of the season, at the positive end of the table.
“We have to get the balance between winning and developing, and the correct way, so in order to be a Tranmere Rovers fan, employee or player, responsibility relies on winning, which is so important for the Football Club, so it’s important that we get that right.
“We know where we need to improve and address in the summer, and it’s mine and the backroom team’s job to identify the players for this Football Club.
“There’s a good small group that have worked under myself going into next season, and know the requirements and style that we play, and that winning is really important."
Dawes also spoke about how the SWA will play an important role from the stands moving forward.
He added: “The fans are massive at this Football Club. I’ve been fortunate to be at good Football Clubs but the fans here are different, in a positive way. The fans here are football people and they know the game and they are honest. The support of the fans is important and the way they get behind the players.
“There support home and away all season has been outstanding, they’ve got behind the players and the staff which is great.”
To watch Ian’s first interview as Tranmere Rovers manager on YouTube, subscribe HERE.