PAUL Lambert is the new boss of Colchester United.

Carl Marston

PAUL Lambert is the new boss of Colchester United.

The former Wycombe boss was unveiled at a press conference today.

Chairman Robbie Cowling said: “I think that we had a massively high calibre of candidates who applied and showed an interest.

“We narrowed those down and interviewed four candidates from there.

“At that point, Paul was head and shoulders above the other candidates and he was so impressive that the board of directors were unanimous in their decision.

“I think the determination that he showed shone through and he showed a good knowledge of the squad that he would inherit from the previous manager.

“He showed a real desire to take this football club forward.”

Lambert was appointed manager of Wycombe in 2006 and led them to the League Cup semi-finals after defeating Premier League sides Fulham and Charlton Athletic .

The semi-final tie, against then Premier League champions Chelsea , saw Wycombe hold Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Adams Park before losing the away leg.

It was the first time in more than 30 years a fourth tier team had reached that stage of the League Cup.

Lambert resigned as Wycombe manager on May 20 this year, following the club's elimination from the League 2 play-offs by Stockport.

Cowling also paid tribute to the efforts of caretaker manager Kit Symons and assistant Joe Dunne, who will take charge of the team for the last time in Saturday's game at Cheltenham.

It is likely that Lambert will then bring in his own backroom team, although that will be confirmed next week.

“Like a lot of managers he has his own ideas on his back-up team, but I don't think we can thank Kit Symons and Joe Dunne enough for their work over the past couple of weeks,” Cowling said.

“They have done a fantastic job for this team during a difficult time and will do it again on Saturday.

“They will see the lads through this fixture and all of the players and supporters should get behind them and see out their caretaking spell in style with hopefully a third win away.

“I was pleased with what Kit did and I think he will go on to be a good manager in time to come.

“There was certainly careful consideration to keeping him on longer term and we wish him well in the future.”