91Èȱ¬

New Swindon Town boss Kevin MacDonald has said he is ready to make the step from coaching to management.

The 52-year-old was appointed at the County Ground on Thursday, in what is his first permanent managerial job.

He previously held caretaker roles at Leicester, then Aston Villa, where he worked on the backroom staff until leaving last summer.

"Having been successful as a coach, I need to see if I can be successful as a manager," he told 91Èȱ¬ Wiltshire.

"Swindon was an offer I couldn't refuse. I came down to speak to him [chairman Jed McCrory] and we got on like a house on fire.

"The way it was portrayed to me is that they want it to be a coaching club, to try and develop players.

"I just felt it was the right fit for me.

"I was getting fed up at home, the missus wasn't too happy with me and my golf wasn't getting any better so I thought I should get back in to football."

MacDonald succeeds Paolo Di Canio, who resigned from his role at the League One club on 18 February - citing off-field issues for his decision to quit.

The Italian led Swindon to the League Two title last season and they are fourth in the table, three points off top-spot.

MacDonald's first game in charge will come at fellow promotion-chasers Coventry on Saturday.

"They've done very well under Paolo," he continued. "But there are plenty of other good teams in his league and they just need another little push forward."

Swindon chairman Jed McCrory confirmed they had spoken to former Arsenal striker Ian Wright about the vacant position but MacDonald's experience won them over.

"I felt he [Kevin] can build everything we've spoken about," added McCrory. "His credibility is unquestionable and I felt he was perfect for this club.

"Ian is a friend of ours [the board] and we had spoken to him about a position at the club.

"He would love a manager's job - bless him - but Kevin's got all the experience and he ticks all the boxes."