PAUL MARINER has insisted he is not afraid of the challenge facing him now that he has taken over first team affairs at Plymouth Argyle.

Paul Sturrock has been stripped of that responsibility after the club's poor results in the Championship this season.

But the 53-year-old will take up what has been described by the Pilgrims as a 'business support role' at Home Park.

Sturrock will work closely with executive director Keith Todd on some off-the-pitch projects, such as improving the training facilities.

Mariner

(pictured right)

will continue to be titled as Argyle head coach for the foreseeable future.

That is because Sturrock has a contract as manager until the end of next June and it has not been paid up.

But all football decisions will now be taken by 56-year-old Mariner, starting with the away game against Preston North End tomorrow (3pm).

He said: "I'm confident in my own ability. I'm a very good communicator and we have a group of players we want to help."

Mariner is in the process of trying to bring in staff to work with him.

He said: "I'm already in discussions with the board about that. They are extremely supportive.

"They haven't given me any timeframe but, obviously, it's an urgent matter."

Former Newcastle United assistant manager John Carver, who was head coach of Toronto FC in Canada until April, could be a possible candidate.

Todd told Sturrock of the board of directors' decision on Wednesday night, in the aftermath of the Pilgrims' third consecutive 1-0 defeat.

They were beaten by Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, and remained in 23rd position in the Championship.

Todd and Mariner had a 9.45am meeting with the Argyle squad in the boardroom at Home Park yesterday.

That was followed by a briefing from Todd and Sturrock to the club's non-playing staff.

Mariner took the Pilgrims' squad for training at Harper's Park, before he attended a 12noon media call to announce his elevation in status.

"I know the measure of the challenge, but if this morning's training session is anything to go by, we will be okay," said Mariner.

He added: "I actually got very emotional during the talk with the players because Paul Sturrock, to me, is a fantastic football brain and a fantastic coach."

Todd described Sturrock as being 'realistic' about the situation the club, and he, found themselves in.

"I don't think anybody can challenge the fact that Paul Sturrock has got Plymouth Argyle in his heart," said Todd.

"Whatever mistakes may have been made, and whatever opinions there are, he has always put the football club first, and he understands the reality of this game. It was time to move on."

Mariner was only appointed as head coach in October, after the departure of Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley from Sturrock's backroom staff.

He had previously been the assistant coach at New England Revolution, the American Major League Soccer club, since 2004.

Mariner said: "For eight weeks, it has been a crash course for me of picking things up.

"But there isn't a great deal of difference between football worldwide."

There is no exact timescale on how long Mariner will be responsible for all football activities.

But it is clear the intention is for the Argyle and England international striker to continue in the role long term.

Argyle deputy chairman Paul Stapleton said: "At this point in time, we can't use the word 'permanent'.

"Paul (Mariner) is here and he's taking over first team affairs.

"We know he might need some help sooner rather than later, which we are going to look at, to try to get Plymouth Argyle away from the foot of this league.

"We have a board meeting on December 22 when we are all going to be in Plymouth and we will discuss the matter further then."

That will be attended by London-based chairman Sir Roy Gardner and, possibly, Yasuaki Kagami, the club's Japanese director.

Stapleton said: "Sir Roy is coming down and we hope we will have Mr Kagami as well, because it's important we make the right decision going forward.

"Let's put it this way – Paul Mariner is in the prime position – but this has all happened rather quickly.

"You might say, 'You should have been planning for it', but once you take the decision you have got to act.

"Paul Mariner agreed to accept the role of being in charge of the first team, and we will take it from there and see what evolves.

"We will have our board meeting on December 22 when there will be further comments to make."

When Mariner was appointed as Argyle head coach it was with the intention of him eventually becoming manager.

But the club would probably have preferred to wait until the summer, and Sturrock's contract ended, before making the change over.

Todd said: "I think it has been a pretty open secret where this was going to end up. The decision was when to do it."

Mariner added: "I'm extremely happy to take over.

"It's a little earlier than I thought, but I wouldn't be sat in this seat if I didn't think I could do it."