CONCORD Rangers have appointed former Brentwood Town manager Adam Flanagan as their new boss.

Flanagan, a former Concord player himself, moves to the Aspect Arena after an incredibly successful 18 months at Brentwood – in which he took them from Ryman One North relegation candidates when he took over in November 2013 to play-off winners a week ago.

His appointment comes after Danny Cowley left the club last week to make the step up to the Conference National and join Braintree Town, after eight successful years in south Essex.

And Beach Boys chairman Antony Smith has wasted no time in replacing Cowley, with Flanagan one of 43 applicants for the post, and he has backed the 37-year-old former Billericay Town man to succeed at Concord.

“It has been a mad and difficult week,” said Smith. “We had 43 applications, including one from an assistant manager in the Premier League last year. We had a couple from step four clubs as well but as soon as Danny said he was leaving I had Adam in my head.

“I didn’t speak to him until after the play-off final but we met on Tuesday and I think he is a perfect fit for the job. He is level-headed, intelligent and he reminds me of Danny – albeit slightly less intense.

“I always believe clubs should be willing to give young and aspiring managers a chance and he is someone I know well. Adam often spoke to Danny and myself, asking our opinions on various things and I like that.

“He knows some of our boys as well – the likes of Steve King, James White and Danny Glozier know him and that will help.”

Despite Concord’s recent success, that has seen them promoted three times in eight seasons and finish seventh in the Conference South last season, Smith insists Flanagan, like Cowley, is under no pressure.

“The first goal as always is to stay in this division,” he said. “I am not going to say we want play-offs or anything like that – we just want to progress as a club.”

Smith admitted it was hard to say goodbye to Cowley when he told him he was leaving, although said it was only a matter of time before a club came in for him.

“We all knew it would come one day but we didn’t know when,” he said. “I totally understand Danny’s aspirations and he wanted to take the opportunity while he could. I still believe he could manage higher up but he goes with my best wishes and we will remain firm friends.

“We will see him tonight at the club’s presentation evening and we look forward to it very much.”