York City have announced Nigel Worthington as their new manager. Worthington will take charge of the club with immediate effect after the dismissal of former manager Gary Mills on Saturday.
Mills was sacked following a 2-0 home defeat to Bradford City on Saturday afternoon, which consigned York to an 11th consecutive game without victory.
That run of six points out of a possible 33 leaves York languishing in 18th place, just four points above the drop zone, with 10 games left this season.
Mills led York to promotion from the Conference last season, masterminding two Wembley victories in the FA Trophy and in the Conference Play-off Final.
A bright start to this campaign had many dreaming of another push for a play-off place, but the slump in form has forced City fans to be looking over their shoulders, rather than upwards.
Worthington will take charge of his first game this coming Saturday, as York make the trip to AFC Wimbledon, the side who currently sit bottom of League Two.
The appointment of Worthington is quite a coup for York. He is best known for his six years as the manager of Norwich City, which included winning promotion to the Premiership for the Canaries in 2003-4 as First Division champions. The following season, Norwich were relegated on the final day.
More recently, Worthington managed the Northern Ireland national team. He has been out of work since leaving that role in October 2011.
Worthington was also a successful defender as a player, playing over 300 games for Sheffield Wednesday in the 1980s and early 90s, the majority of those in the top division.
He also played for Notts County, Leeds United and Stoke City, before ending his career with Blackpool, where he was given his first managerial appointment in 1997.
A statement on the club’s website read “The decision to appoint Nigel was based on his solid Football League experience, his strong coaching ability and his extensive knowledge of players throughout the leagues.
“The York City Board of Directors welcomes Nigel Worthington to the Club and looks forward to working with him.”