Ashvir Singh Johal Becomes First Sikh Manager in British Football

• Ashvir Singh Johal makes history as the first Sikh to manage a professional British club.
• The 30-year-old vows to rebuild Morecambe and lead them back to the EFL.
• Kick It Out hails his appointment as a landmark for representation in football leadership.

Ashvir Singh Johal has vowed to take Morecambe back into the English Football League after being appointed as the club’s new manager.

The 30-year-old was named on Tuesday, becoming the first Sikh to take charge of a professional British club. His arrival came just a day after Derek Adams was dismissed, following the takeover of the club by new owners Panjab Warriors.

Singh Johal, who previously worked under Kolo Toure at Wigan and alongside Cesc Fabregas at Como, inherits a difficult task. Morecambe have only five players under contract and were relegated from League Two last season. The Shrimps also had their opening two National League fixtures postponed due to earlier suspension for failing to comply with league rules.

Despite the challenges, Singh Johal struck a positive tone. “The immediate priority right now is going to be to identify the players that we need in this building to ensure Morecambe Football Club can perform well in the National League,” he told the club’s website.

“I think the short-term plan this year is to make sure that we retain our place in the National League by playing exciting, energetic football and working hard. I think that is a short-term aim. The long-term aim is to build the processes, the infrastructure. There’s a clear commitment from the owners about the direction they want the club to go in. OK, now it’s about building, and it’s about growing and making sure that in three, four, five years’ time, this is a completely energised and galvanised Morecambe Football Club that thrives in the EFL.”

Singh Johal, who never played professionally, spent a decade at Leicester City in coaching roles before moving abroad. He is one of the youngest holders of the UEFA Pro Licence.

On landing his first senior managerial role, he said: “It’s what I’ve wanted to do. It’s been my dream since I was 14 or 15 years old. It’s every single day that’s been the target I’ve worked towards. But for me, now there’s a new target, and the target is to make sure Morecambe is successful as a club. Make sure this year we don’t just survive in the National League, we thrive.”

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out praised the appointment, writing on X: “History made. Congratulations to Ashvir Singh Johal on becoming the first Sikh manager in professional football. Fully deserved and also a significant milestone for representation in leadership within the game.”

Singh Johal is due to take charge of Morecambe’s opening match against Altrincham, though uncertainty remains over whether the fixture will go ahead given the lack of contracted players.