Deeney named Forest Green boss as Horseman departs

Forest Green Rovers is Troy Deeney's first full-time managerial role

Forest Green Rovers have appointed ex-Watford captain Troy Deeney as head coach following the departure of David Horseman by mutual consent.

Horseman, 39, spent only five months in charge and has left following the team's FA Cup exit to Blackpool.

Rovers have won only four league matches this season and sit 23rd in the table, five points from safety.

Forest Green owner Dale Vince said he needed to "act decisively to improve our performances and league position".

"Troy came to us to begin his career in coaching and take the next step of his career - this is happening sooner than expected but he's built strong relationships already with our staff, squad and fans - and is well placed for the challenge," said Vince.

"We'll strengthen our squad in the coming transfer window as well, to give ourselves the best chance of first securing our place in League Two before looking upward once more, toward League One and beyond."

Deeney joined Forest Green after leaving Championship side Birmingham City in the summer and has scored four goals in 18 appearances this season while also working on the coaching staff at The New Lawn.

He becomes the club's fourth boss in 19 months since the departure of Rob Edwards in May 2022, after Ian Burchnall, Duncan Ferguson and Horseman.

His first game in charge will be Friday's visit of Gillingham.

"One thing I can assure everyone is that we will work our very hardest to bring this wonderful club back to success," said Deeney.

"This is an exciting new role with many challenges that I'll embrace, and there's a lot of work for us to do, which has already started."

Horseman unable to halt Rovers' slide

David Horseman won only four league matches during his tenure at Forest Green

Owner Vince backed Horseman only a few weeks ago amid growing fan unrest.

The former Southampton academy coach was brought in following the club's instant return to the fourth tier this summer, after one season in League One.

However, Rovers have continually languished near the bottom of the table - not helped by raft of injuries to key players - and are fighting to avoid a second successive relegation and a return to non-league football.

Their last League Two win came on 28 October against Crawley. Friday's home game against Gillingham is the first of four fixtures over the festive period.

After the 3-0 loss by Blackpool on Tuesday, Horseman said he believed he could turn the team's fortunes around and still had the support of Vince.

"We're ambitious in January because we could turn this around quite quickly," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.