Allen named new Cheltenham boss

Allen is the new boss at Whaddon Road

League One strugglers Cheltenham Town have appointed Martin Allen as their new manager at Whaddon Road.

The 43-year-old who takes over from Keith Downing has been out of the game since leaving Leicester City in August 2007 after three months in charge.

"I wanted to work and get out on the training pitch, but at the right club," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"It is a massive challenge, the club at the moment bottom of the league and that's right up my street, I think."

The Robins are bottom of the League One table by Friday's 4-1 defeat at Hartlepool and they parted company with Downing by mutual consent the following day.

Allen added he has plenty of sympathy for Downing: "I do feel sorry for Keith Downing because I know how hard it hit me when I got the sack at Leicester, so I will try and speak to him before the end of the week."

Allen began his managerial career at Barnet and has also been in charge of Brentford and MK Dons.

He takes over at Whaddon Road with immediate effect and will be in charge for Tuesday's game at home to Bristol Rovers.

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Despite never having managed or played for Cheltenham before, Allen has strong connections with the Robins.

His father, Denis, managed Cheltenham in the 1970s when the club was in the Southern League.