New deal not a given, says Macaulay

Mike New is in the frame to become the next head coach of Milton Keynes Lions – but his appointment is not a done deal.

Lions owner Vince Macaulay, who created the vacancy when he stepped down at the end of the last campaign, has revealed approaches from a number of candidates at home and abroad.

New, previously his assistant, called time on his long playing career last month, having already cut his teeth at the helm of the club's successive junior programme.

And while the Chicago-born veteran remains the clear favourite for the role, Macaulay is undertaking a full review before making a decision.

“Mike is in the mix and he has a head start,” he confirmed. “He knows our system and we have a level of comfort with him. But we are looking at all the options available.

“Ideally, we'd like to make a decision sooner rather than later, probably by the end of the month.”

Macaulay confirmed that the Lions will spend next season at their Middleton Hall base, located within a shopping mall in the city. However, he remains confident that the club will move into a new arena, adjacent to the Dons football stadium, in 12 months time.

“It looks like it will be finally finished sooner rather than later, and that's where we want to be because we're a big organisation with over 9000 kids in our junior programmes and over 30 sponsors.

“But the shopping mall is a fantastic venue and they've really looked after us. And we know that's where we'll be staying until the arena's finished.”

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