EDIN Rahic believes new boss David Hopkin will be the tough leader that City have been lacking.

The uncompromising Scot takes charge for the first time tomorrow against Blackpool.

Chairman Rahic is confident Hopkin will prove the right man for the job having sacked Michael Collins after just 77 days – and they can work well together.

Rahic said: “The players need tough, tough direction. This will be the case.

“Different leadership types exist but for this squad then this is the best match.

“We have seen in the last two games that this is needed. The players are not doing themselves justice and the coaching will bring a change of direction.”

The joint-chairman rubbished the ongoing suggestion that he has meddled with team affairs with Hopkin’s predecessors. And he stressed that Hopkin will make the call on selection and recruitment.

“The club would never sign a player for the first team when the manager does not have the final say.

“Why would a club do that? If the head coach does not play that player, then he is sitting next to me in the stand.

“David’s success (in Scotland) was to have a very good relationship with the chairman. He can be successful again by having a very good relationship with me and vice-versa.

“Based on the short time we have known each other, I have a very good feeling about this and belief.”

Collins lasted just seven games into the season – losing four in the league and being knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties at Macclesfield.

Rahic insisted that he has never suggested who should be playing with any of the previous bosses. And he made it clear the controversial choice to leave out Matt Kilgallon, who last week joined Hamilton, was down to the coaching team.

“They decided and only then informed me that Matt Kilgallon was not in their plans,” he said.

“They informed Matt and I then had to deal with that, ensuring what was best for him and for the club.

“The coaching team – Michael, Martin (Drury) and Greg (Abbott) – made that decision. I have very good relations with Matt and he was really very fair.

“Who is playing is their job. I pay them to do that so, they have to make those decisions.

“I was there for Michael, Martin and Greg every day, 24/7. They came to me at 10pm or 11pm and we spoke.

“I gave them full support. I was always there for them.

“I said many weeks ago Michael is a very good coach and he’s still a very good coach. If he learns out of this situation, he will bounce back.”

Abbott and Drury will be in the dug-out at Bloomfield Road alongside Hopkin as City look to bounce back from the successive defeats that saw Collins dismissed.

Rahic will leave any decision on their future to the head coach.

He added: “We have to give David the best chance to succeed. If I have my opinion about it and he is not comfortable with it, why should I make that decision?

“David needs to know what backroom team is best for him. He has to know the guys behind him are behind him.

“If he wants three new assistants, we have to take care of the budget.

“It is very difficult for the club that people on the outside see only negativeness.

“Then they have their own perceptions about what is going on at the club.

“But David met me and his wife met me and they saw I was a totally different person.

“I would think he had to have the feeling we could work together.

“This is the most important relationship at a football club, definitely.”