Managerial Career
In 2002 Penney retired to pursue a career in management and he remained at Doncaster, taking the managerial job on a full-time basis. After a well-placed finish in his first season, Penney guided Doncaster back into the Football League with victory in the play-off final in the 2002–03 season. Their stay in Division Three wasn't long though as he managed Doncaster to the Division Three title. During a further two seasons of cementing Doncaster's place in Coca-Cola League One Penney famously masterminded victories over Premier League sides Manchester City and Aston Villa, and nearly overcame Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-finals before finally being beaten in a penalty shootout. Penney left Rovers on 30 August 2006 as he felt he had taken the club as far as he could.
He was appointed manager of Darlington on 30 October 2006. He returned to Doncaster with Darlington for a Football League Trophy tie on 9 January 2007, Doncaster winning the game 2–0, and Penney received a hero's reception from the home fans at the new Keepmoat Stadium.
Penney was appointed manager at Oldham Athletic on 30 April 2009. He left on 6 May 2010, through mutual consent, with falling attendances one of the reasons why Penney was relieved of duty.
On 10 January 2011 Penney was appointed as manager of League One club Bristol Rovers. His tenure in charge of the west country club did not last long however, as he was sacked less than two months later having lost nine of his 13 games in charge. His last game was a 2–0 defeat against Dagenham and Redbridge,with Defender Romain Vincelot and a free kick from Danny Green sealing a win for the Daggers. Jerel Ifil was sent off in the first half. Following receiving the sack from Bristol Rovers, Stuart Campbell was put in charge for the game against Tranmere, in which a Chris Lines goal sealed a 1–0 win.
While at the Memorial Stadium, he only recorded two wins, Swindon Town F.C. and Oldham Athletic F.C., and also recorded a 6–1 defeat away to Walsall F.C.. He was reported as being furious after being overlooked for the Grimsby Town managerial job when Rob Scott and Paul Hurst were appointed on 22 March 2011.
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Famous quotes containing the word career:
“A black boxer’s career is the perfect metaphor for the career of a black male. Every day is like being in the gym, sparring with impersonal opponents as one faces the rudeness and hostility that a black male must confront in the United States, where he is the object of both fear and fascination.”
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