Terry Butcher..."Ian Crook was not first choice"

[Mike Walker 0]

It appears from what new manager Terry Butcher has said today, Ian Crook would not have been his first choice assistant at Sydney FC."It has been one of the hardest things leaving him (Maurice Malpas) behind,"

Butcher, 47, said. "He is a wonderful guy, a wonderful coach and he is

going to be a wonderful manager as well."

Butcher admitted that departing without his assistant was one of the toughest choices he has ever had to make.

He added: "Ian Crook is out here as my assistant so it was not possible for Maurice to come out here."

Pity, Ian could have been at a loose end!