BOSS Tom Killick has welcomed Alex Pike to Poole Town and says he is unconcerned his appointment has set tongues wagging.

Pike was this week unveiled as the club’s new commercial manager, fuelling speculation on the non-league rumour mill that he could be after Killick’s job.

Both have a highly-decorated curriculum vitae in management, having guided clubs from step five – the Wessex League – to step two – National South.

Killick, who scored twice as Pike’s Wimborne won the FA Vase in 1992, masterminded Poole’s rise before they suffered relegation back to the Southern League last season.

And Pike, once dubbed the Jose Mourinho of non-league management, took Gosport Borough through the leagues before losing his job in March as they battled financial issues.

Pike’s appointment was announced just two days after Poole had tasted defeat in their first Southern League South game of the season against new boys Hartley Wintney.

Killick, who saw Dolphins respond with an excellent 2-1 midweek win at Salisbury, told the Daily Echo: “Alex has come in to try to bring in revenue to the club and I hope it works out well.

“It doesn’t really affect me, other than if it works out in the way the club is hoping, it can put us in a stronger position in terms of what we want to do on the field.

“I have known Alex a long time and, if he can have a positive impact, then it is going to be positive for me as well.

“I am not silly in that I am sure people are looking at it in terms of the fact things have been difficult and then they see this appointment.

“As a manager, you are going to be replaced at some point, whether that is voluntarily or a decision made by the club.

“You know it is going to happen one day but I can’t get concerned about that. I respect the people who run our club and I am not going to start worrying about who is lurking around.

“I am told Alex is not interested in the job. I just have to try to do things as well as I can and, when it comes to an end, it will come to an end.

“Alex has a good profile in terms of the local area and, if that can be used to our advantage, then it will be all well and good.”