NEW Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates has praised his former boss Steve Cotterill for allowing him to take up the vacant post at Aggborough Stadium at short notice.

The former Clarets first team coach made the switch to the club he played for on two seperate spells in the early hours of Friday morning.

And he publicly thanked the Burnley chief for making his quick exit from Turf Moor a smooth one.

Yates said: "I knew I was going to be offered the job just after midnight last night and Steve (Cotterill) was fantastic in helping to secure my release.

"I have upmost respect for him and he was great in releasing me without the need for compensation and all the messy things like that.

"It was an easy decision to make because I want to be a manager and succeed in management.

"Maybe the fact that I've played here made the decision easier."

Harriers, who sacked former boss Stuart Watkiss, plumped for Yates ahead of a list of candidates that included former Rovers star Jimmy Quinn and former Preston manager John Beck.

And Yates was quick to make his first appointment as he made his former Cheltenham Town team-mate Neil Howarth, who left AFC Telford yesterda, his assistant,

And the new Harriers boss, who will take charge of his first game at Woking today, can't wait to get started.

He added: "I'm going to give 100 per cent and I'm going to make sure the players do the same.

"I took my first training session and the attitude of the players was good.

"The first thing we have to do is get our first three points and then we can concentrate on trying to get the second win.

"My immediate aim is to move the club forward and away from the relegation zone.

"And if we can get on a roll then who knows but I want to get the team into the top half of the table as soon as possible.

"We've got enough quality in the squad and I don't foresee wholesale changes."