He told The Sun: “I didn’t expect to get the job so I am not surprised that other people have reacted to it with huge surprise. But I am confident I have the backing of my whole team.
“Other than the first day, when the players were in a state of shock at Jose leaving and me being their new manager, they have been 100 per cent great to me.
“It has not been an easy time for any of us, change is never like that.
“For me it is completely new — I am not used to taking over a team when the season is already in full flow. So I know how the players feel.
“But now we will unite and go forward.”
