JIMMY Dack admits life is very different as a manager compared to an assistant, but is relishing the task, writes Michael Pearlman.

The long-time number two to Justin Edinburgh was this week confirmed to remain at Rodney Parade until the end of the campaign.

And while he admits to a few sleepless nights, Dack is largely enjoying the task of attempting to rescue Newport’s faltering promotion bid.

Dack admits he was far from shocked at being offered the role of manager until the end of the season and has no doubts he’s the right man for the task.

“I was told before this announcement this week to take the team until further notice and that’s all I was doing, I didn’t know what way it was going to go, but irrespective of that, I was going to give it my best,” he said.

“Has it come as a bit of a surprise to be announced until the end of the season? No because I always felt bringing someone in now would be hard, no one knows these players better than myself. I know them inside out and we’ve had a lot of success together.

“So no it hasn’t surprised me, no. But I’m going to enjoy it and give it my best shot.”

Dack isn’t going to be an Alex Ferguson or Harry Redknapp style manager, who spends more time in his office while others focus on the day-to-day training.

Dack and his assistant Wayne Hatswell were in charge of training during Edinburgh’s tenure and Dack is in no rush to become anything other than a tracksuit manager.

However, known as “Dacky,” for almost four years at the club, Dack is ready to put some distance between himself and the playing squad.

“I’ve always been close to the players, so nothing has changed in that sense, but the media side of things are a bit different from what I’ve been used to, I have to choose my words a bit more wisely now,” he said of the differences in taking the top job.

“But I am settling into it now, though it has been a bit of a whirlwind, being a manager is very different to being a number two.

“You don’t to enjoy your wins for long enough, but I am going to look forward to it and give it my best shot.

“I have to put a bit of distance between myself and the players, there is certainly that side to it.

“I won’t stop working with them on the training ground because that is what I love doing, but there will be certain boundaries set.”