Leam Richardson has the perfect combination for a football boss – he has all his coaching badges, he has started his physiotherapy degree and he is even a trained social worker.

And the 32-year-old is hoping to out all these together to make his caretaker role a full-time post as he looks to steer the Reds into the play-off places and continue John Coleman’s works at the Crown Ground.

Richardson, with his six- month contract up at the end of this month, was all ready to sign another one in a player-coach role with the Reds.

But he has instead stepped up into the management role and is ready to grasp it with both hands. He said he always wanted to be a manager although it has come sooner than expected.

"It is early days obviously and I am not out to be the new Coley," said the former Bolton and Blackburn defender.

"It would always be a struggle to follow in their footsteps but hopefully it can be a new era at the club. I am not going to turn into a manager overnight and I have got a lot to learn.

"But I have worked under some top managers such as Sam Allardyce, who was like Coley, Brian Kidd who was a great manager, Steve McMahon, who had a good philosophy on football and Roy Hodgson who was a thorough manager.

"Then there is Coley. While I have been out injured, I haven’t just been aimlessly watching games. I have been listening, learning and developing.

"I have picked up a little bit from each of those managers and I also have my own ideas. I also have a lot of contacts still in the game at Blackburn, Bolton and Leeds. I know I will need help and I am not afraid to ask."

All the players have openly come out and backed their new ‘gaffer’ and Richardson said this was an inspiration to him.

"It was a huge compliment when they said that and it has given me a confidence boost.

"They seem to like me, they listen to me, they seem to respect and respond to me but we are a small, close-knit squad and everyone is working together. I also have the help of Phil Hackney who is great at organising, a great coach and an assessor and Bryan Hughes has a strong pedigree and it’s great working with people like him."

Richardson is back fit again after struggling with injuries, especially in his last few years of his seven with the Reds.

"That’s why I have done other things. I have worked as a social worker with young offenders around Leeds – that will certainly stand me in good stead with the players here! I started my physio degree this year and I have also done my coaching badges.

"I also became a father for the first time so it has been a busy time. I am going to have to be very good at time-management!

"But I have always seen myself as a manager. It’s sooner than I would want but it’s a great opportunity."

One of his first jobs is to think about the Gillingham game and get his team together.

"I have been studying DVDs of Gillingham and read scouting reports. I have also been thinking about team selection but we are only a small squad, it’s only a small club with admin staff and coaches etc, but everyone is pulling together and understands the situation we are in.

"The first thing I did when I was made interim manager was speak to the loan players.

"Obviously they were brought in by John but I have told them they are wanted at the club and they seem to be behind me too."

Richardson admits, after the initial shock of the management duo’s departure, the mood around the camp is buzzing now.

"Everyone seems upbeat and positive and it is a fresh start. We will never forget what John and Jimmy have done and I know I am not trying to follow in their footsteps.

"But Accrington is a unique club, one you have got to understand. I have been here a long time because I have loved every minute of it.

"We are in a good position. I may be more nervous tomorrow in the dugout than in any match I have ever played but it’s a big chance now."