Woking Refuse To 'Play It Safe' After Appointing Doyle

The 42-year-old, previously assistant head coach at the Magpies and Forest Green Rovers, left a job with Portsmouth's academy to replace Darrell Sarll.

The Cards board were in total agreement that he is the person to take the club forward and sifting through the CVs - and say they refused to play it safe with their selection.

They were sold on what he helped get started at Notts before Luke Williams took over and returned the club to the EFL last summer.

The new man watch on as the club ended their horror winless run with victory at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.

Chief Executive John Katz thinks Woking’s future is bright and explained why they went for the novice over some more experienced candidates.

He told the club’s website: “After an exhaustive manager search which included interviewing numerous candidates with impressive CVs, Michael Doyle was the unanimous choice of our selection committee.

“We had the option to be safe or to be bold, and we took the decision to be bold with this appointment.

“Michael is a young, ambitious, and dynamic manager, and our decision to be bold represents what this club needs to regain – ambition and dynamism.

“We believe in his track record of success in the Football League, how he wants his Woking team to play, and his plan to move the club forward.”

Doyle kept a low profile at Dorking but was thrilled with what he saw.

He said: “I was glad to be at the game. It was an important result first and foremost after the loss midweek. There’s plenty to build on now going into next week and through the remainder of the season.

“Woking is a great club with a rich history. I’m looking forward to working Ian and the backroom staff, with the players and the people behind the scenes.”