GARY MILLS has returned to York City as their new manager, just three days after his Wrexham exit – while Jackie McNamara has been named the Minstermen’s new chief executive.
Mills 54, previously managed York from October 2010 to March 2013 and led them to a Conference promotion and FA Trophy double in 2011-12.
After being sacked by York, Mills had spells with Gateshead and then Wrexham, who he left on Thursday after a poor start to the season.
He didn’t have to wait long for his return to the dugout, however, as he was officially announced as York’s new boss on Sunday.
The former European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest will replace McNamara, who stepped down after the draw at Braintree last week but stayed on in caretaker charge.
Rather than leaving the football club, the ex-Celtic man has been appointed chief executive at Bootham Crescent and will oversee several areas of the club while Mills looks to take City up the National League table.
Mills told the club’s website: “It feels good (to be back). It was always a club that I wanted to come back to but I wasn’t sure if it would ever happen. I lost my job at Wrexham and York is available so maybe it was fate, who knows?
“It was great to work here with the people and the rapport I had with the supporters. It was a lovely time for me and York always feels right for me – it’s a great city.
“As soon as I lost my job on Thursday, I made contact with the football club (York) to let them know I was available and would like the job.
“I got a call from the chairman (Jason McGill) on Saturday, was up the A1 speaking to him in the early evening and then he offered me the job.
“It’s not been a great start (for the club). There are a lot of players here and I need to work out quickly who are the right players that I need around me. He (the chairman) has given me the licence to go out and get more players if needed. There are too many here at the moment, I prefer working with small squads.
“It’s going to be a difficult job but it’s one I’m looking forward to. I’ve got to motivate the players and give them the belief.”
Mills won’t have long to wait for his first match back in the York dugout as the Minstermen travel to Curzon Ashton on Monday night in their FA Cup replay.
