LOUIS Langdown has today been named as new manager of Southern One South & West club AFC Totton.

Langdown, who has previous managerial experience with Team Solent, has also worked for several professional clubs - Southampton, AFC Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Crystal Palace - and was head of sports science for the Cherries.

He replaces Steve Hollick, who left by mutual consent at the back end of September after a disappointing start to the league campaign.

Gosport Borough boss Alex Pike had very publicly linked himself to the Totton vacancy, but the Stags always maintained there were three names in the running.

A club statement issued by the Stags said: "It has taken longer than most of us would have wanted for numerous reasons, but we believe we have recruited the best person to take this club forward.

"Louis will take training tonight and Thursday before introducing himself to our supporters at our home game this Saturday against North Leigh."

Langdown gained his UEFA B coaching licence while guiding Team Solent’s promotion to the Wessex League, winning the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Championship, Southampton Senior Cup and League Cup in his successful two-year reign as manager.

He also has very recent coaching experience with Havant & Waterlooville, combining good knowledge of non-League football with his extensive background in professional football.

Totton chairman Andy Straker said: “We made an announcement last week to our supporters explaining the delay in making an appointment. "In that announcement, we explained that recruiting the correct person was far more important than just rushing into recruiting a new manager. "We believe we have made the best appointment and we look forward to Louis taking us forward as a club”.

Roy Edwards, Totton's vice-chairman, added: “It’s been a difficult time since Steve Hollick left the club, but I know that the time we have taken to find our new manager is time very well spent. "Louis has experience at football clubs far higher up the divisions than AFC Totton and he will use that experience to take us forward.”

Langdown has a big job on his hands with Totton labouring third-to-bottom of the South & West, but said: “I’m excited about leading the challenge to develop and progress the team.

"Throughout this process it has become clear that the club is in good hands, with good people committed to driving the club forward.

"This is a great opportunity, at the right club, to have a competitive, energetic and entertaining football team and I’m proud to start this new chapter as manager of AFC Totton.”