FORMER DERRY CITY, Portadown, York City and Carlisle United player Darren Kelly has been named the new manager of League One side Oldham.

Kelly, who was previously a coach at Sunderland, has agreed a two-year deal with the club.

Dean Holden, who becomes assistant boss, had previously been in temporary charge of the club, who finished 15th, following Lee Johnson’s departure to Barnsley last February.

It is the 35-year-old Derry native’s first job in management, after gaining his Uefa Pro Licence recently.

“It think it is a great time to come in as I’ll get to chat to the players before the off season,” Kelly said, speaking to BBC Radio Manchester.

“I’m a young, aspiring modern-day manager, if it’s manager you want to call it as I’ll be involved in every training session.

“I understand that I’ll have to go out and prove [myself] to a lot of people.

“Is it a risk? Absolutely. From the supporters, the chairman and the board side of it, but do I think it is a risk? No, and I think I’ll prove that.”

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