AT just 34, Chris Todd was one of the younger applicants for the Eastleigh manager’s job.

But the new Spitfires’ boss feels he has been destined to be a manager all his footballing life, writes Wendy Gee.

The popular Welshman beat off stiff competition, including bosses with Premier League and international experience, to be unveiled today as Richard Hill’s successor at the Silverlake Stadium.

It is his first managerial post but Todd, who guided Eastleigh to memorable National League wins over Wrexham, Tranmere and league leaders Forest Green Rovers while in interim charge, is up for the challenge.

“I’m delighted to get the job, obviously, in fact honoured is the word I’d use,” he smiled.

“What a challenge and what a great job to get as my first in management!

“It’s come sooner than I thought but I always believed, even when I was starting out as a player, that I would be a manager one day.

“As a young lad of 18 or 19 getting into the Swans (Swansea City) first team, I was telling people what to do. I’ve got that leadership in me.

“The results we’ve had against Wrexham, Tranmere and Forest Green show what this club is capable of, but this is just the start. We’ve got to kick on now, run with it and start working our way up towards the Football League.”

Todd first joined Eastleigh as a centre-back in January 2013 and it was his partnership with Dean Beckwith that formed the backbone of the Spitfires’ rise to the Conference National. He was player-coach last season and became Hill’s right-hand man this summer, replacing Craig McAllister.

An EFC statement said: “Having been at Eastleigh for a few years now, Chris understands the ethos and outlook of the club and we are extremely excited at the prospect of him leading us through the next stage of our development.

“Whilst Chris is new to management, he has a wealth of experience at this level both as a player along with his recent role as assistant.

“He is very well thought of in the game and has very good footballing connections which the club should benefit from.”

Todd’s first game in permanent charge on Saturday is another titanic test away to second-placed Cheltenham Town who are targeting a rapid return to the Football League.

But the former Swansea, Exeter and Newport County centre-back is taking it all in his confident stride. “In my head I’ve never been caretaker boss, I was always manager, that’s the way you’ve got to look at it,” he said. “It’s another big game tomorrow, they’re coming thick and fast, but the lads are on good form.”

Having failed in their appeal against James Constable’s red card at Tranmere, Eastleigh are again without their main marksman, as well as injured skipper Paul Reid.

But Todd has already made his first signing, bringing in lightning-fast former West Ham Academy wideman/frontman Matthias Fanimo.

No longer will Spitfires fans be able to complain that the side lacks pace. Last year Lambeth-born Fanimo, now 21, recorded a top speed equal to Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia, who is regarded as the world’s fastest footballer.