Brabin leaves Everton to take up Tranmere position

The 44-year-old, who was in charge at Kenilworth Road from March 2011 to April 2012, was most recently in charge of Southport.

He left the Sandgrounders to take up a coaching role in the Academy of his boyhood Premier League side Everton in January.

However, he has now been tempted back into management by Tranmere, despite Rovers losing their Football League status with relegation to the Conference this season.

Speaking on his appointment, Brabin said: “I have gone on record in the past as saying that the role I was doing at Everton was my dream job, and I did not think that anything would tempt me into leaving there.

“I have had approaches from other clubs and declined them, but the Tranmere job is special.

“The chance to lead one of the three famous old Merseyside Clubs back to where it belongs in the League is a fantastic challenge that is hard to resist.

“I know that the club and its fans are hurting right now because of relegation, but I am confident that we can restore the club to its former glory and play some football that will put a smile back on the fans’ faces.”

Rovers chairman Mark Palios added: “Gary was my main target for this role for a number of reasons, although I knew it would be very difficult to tempt him out of an Everton role he was clearly enjoying.

“Firstly, he is a manager with a strong win rate and a fantastic track record of getting his clubs into the Conference play-offs.

“Importantly, the job requires a strong character and someone who knows what the weight of expectation of managing a larger club in the Conference feels like. Gary has done this at both Cambridge and Luton.

“But he is not someone who relies on playing ugly football to win matches; he is a young progressive manager who has taken the time to study other successful managers both in this country and abroad, and who is very keen to use the best that sports science can offer to ensure that players are at peak fitness and continue to develop throughout their careers.

“Finally, he is a local man. Although that wasn’t a pre-requisite for the job, I do think it means he has both a natural affinity for and understanding of the area and more importantly what Tranmere Rovers means.”