Hannah Dingley appointment labelled a ‘PR stunt’ as Forest Green hire Southampton B team boss

Southampton B team head coach David Horseman has been appointed as the new manager of Forest Green.

Horseman succeeds Duncan Ferguson, who who left the League Two club earlier this month, with Hannah Dingley then taking the role on an interim basis.

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Horseman has taken the reins at The New Lawn StadiumCredit: Getty

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Dingley’s time in charge of the team lasted less than two weeksCredit: Twitter @FGRFCOfficial

Dingley made history as she became the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Her ground-breaking appointment on July 4 attracted a great deal of attention but her time in charge has been short-lived.

She will remain in charge for the back-to-back home games on Tuesday and Wednesday night against Coventry and Everton Under-21s respectively before reverting back to her role as academy head.

Horseman and assistant Louis Carey will then begin their new roles on Thursday ahead of travelling to Plymouth for a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday.

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said on the club’s official website: “We are delighted to have David join as our head coach.

“He brings a wealth of experience and a modern approach to the game which matches our own – and he very much stood out from over 100 applicants for the role.

“I’m grateful to Hannah for holding the fort for the club while we went through the complete recruitment process and although she did not get the top job this time, it’s undoubtedly been a valuable experience and a big step on her career path.”

Horseman said: “I’m extremely excited and grateful that Dale, (vice-chairman) Asif Rehmanwala and (director of football) Allan (Steele) have given me the opportunity to lead a team which has such strong values both on and off the pitch.

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Agbonlahor took aim at Vince amid the news Horseman is set to get the jobCredit: Getty

“Louis and I have been lucky to be involved for a long time in professional football and study from some elite coaches which we will bring some ideas with us.

“The supporters can look forward to seeing a team with energy and aggression and one that they can be proud of.”

However, Vince has been accused of performing a ‘PR stunt’ when appointing Dingley by talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor said: “Hannah Dingley set to lose her job as caretaker manager of Forest Green? Nothing but a PR stunt from that numpty chairman.

“If I’m being brutally honest, I think the chairman of Forest Green is an attention-seeking moron. He was never going to give her he job.

“I wanted her to get at least ten games – have a proper go at it. I think it sums him up, to be honest.

“It’s not the first time you have seen him in the limelight. It is obvious it was just a PR stunt.”

Horseman has previously worked in backroom coaching roles at Watford and Bristol City.

Horseman arrived at Southampton in August 2019 and took the reins of the under-23 side during the 2019/20 season.

He was in charge of the club’s B team and served as an assistant to former first-team boss Ruben Selles last season.

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