Rick Passmoor says that his appointment as Leicester City interim head coach has been “a whirlwind” – and added that he would love to be with the club long-term.
In his first press conference in the role, Passmoor said the last few days had been “quite manic”.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, but really pleased to be here with so many good people, good staff, and good footballers,” he told reporters.
Passmoor could not shed any light on the club’s search for a permanent manager following Amandine Miquel’s departure from the club last week; Matt Beard had been linked with the role but has been placed on three months’ gardening leave by his former club Burnley.
He underlined his priority was to prepare for the weekend, and that he expected to be in the dugout when Leicester City travel to Manchester United’s Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, 7th September.
“My intent is to ensure we do really, really well, [that] we put in processes [for] players to achieve their potential, and then we’ll look going forward.
“I would actually love to stay at this football club.”
Rick Passmoor: It’s a pleasure working with these players
He explained what his priorities had been over the previous few days: “Make sure that I bring my character, personality, ensuring that the players are in a good place for the training, work collaboratively with the staff to ensure that they have a big place and a big part of what we want to achieve this season, so there’s many meetings setting out short-term aims and goals and everybody to be valued, but also in the short term and interim, for them to be accountable, map targets, and what we want to come out with and achieve.
“The staff have been magnificent, and the players also on the pitch have really worked hard professionally, and it’s been a privilege to be here and work with them.”
Passmoor added that the squad’s attitude was impressive and that he had not sensed any discord since taking over the reins.
“The mindset is now to come in, complete your work to the best of your ability, park your emotions, and come in here to do a professional level of football.
“All the players have adapted accordingly to what we want, and have made some significant strides in how we wish to play, and it’s been a pleasure working with them over the last couple of days.”
Rick Passmoor on Leicester’s transfer activity
On the club’s transfer activity on deadline day, Passmoor welcomed the arrival of Australia’s Emily van Egmond, describing her as “a vastly experienced international – great to have her in the environment and in the club, in the building.”
He hinted that there may be more movement later on Thursday, but emphasised that was up to the club’s strategic operations: “I’m here to look after this team for this Sunday.
“I’m working with the players that are in the building.
“If we can add to it, fantastic.
“We’ve got a backbone of players that really represent Leicester City Women, and, they and I am looking forward to working in training and the game on Sunday.”
Rick Passmoor on the growth of the women’s game
Passmoor has many years of experience in the women’s game, having previously managed Lincoln Ladies who became Notts County Women in the WSL, and he reflected on how the game had changed and what it was like stepping back into the hot seat.
“We’re working incredibly hard – the amount of hours, in terms of having a very pleasant summer at home, and then the phone’s always ringing and the emails are happening. I’m like, ‘Oh, we’re back involved, are we?’ From the first time in the morning your eyes open, there’s messages galore, and emails, etcetera.
“For anybody, what you’ve got to ensure is that you love every moment of being involved in this game.
“We’ve seen the WSL grow, the women’s game grow.
“I’ve been in it a few years, and it’s just fantastic to see and long may it continue.”
