Swindon Town Head of Football Jamie Russell explained the decision to appoint Mark Kennedy as the club’s new head coach.

Kennedy was confirmed as Town’s new head coach on Tuesday, 136 days after the departure of the previous boss Michael Flynn, with Gavin Gunning having been in charge on an interim basis for the final 18 games of the season.

The 48-year-old arrives having previously had a brief spell in charge of Macclesfield Town and then spent over a season at Lincoln City, where he secured the second-highest league finish of the last 40 years for The Imps with the sixth-best defensive record in League One.

He also has extensive experience as a coach, having worked as the assistant manager to Lee Bowyer at Birmingham City, as well as within the academy set-ups at Ipswich Town, Manchester City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After the appointment was confirmed, Russell explained the reasons behind why he had chosen to go for Kennedy as Swindon’s next head coach, believing that the former Liverpool winger coming in was going to be exciting for all those around the club.

In a club statement, he said: "Mark's introduction to the club brings us a new start with fresh ideas and something we are very much looking forward to.

"His approach and coaching style will provide strong leadership, motivation, and guidance to all players.

"His coaching qualities can also help every player to develop regardless of age due to his experience in coaching at Category One academies, working with first-team players across the EFL and finally from being an elite player who has represented his country on several occasions and played in solely the top-two tiers of English football.

"Another attribute Mark will bring is a passion for being at Swindon Town, and delivering the huge potential we all know this club has and we're confident he can lead us in guiding the club to this level.

"This appointment will generate excitement and interest among fans as Mark will show through his dedication to supporting fan engagement across the club and we are delighted he has agreed to join us here ahead of the new season and look forward to seeing what he'll bring to our first-team footballing department too.

"Overall, the appointment of Mark Kennedy as our new Head Coach is an opportunity for positive change and progress across Swindon Town Football Club."