JOE Dunne was this morning officially appointed the new manager of Colchester United.

Dunne had been installed as caretaker boss, following former manager John Ward’s departure on Monday morning.

But the Dubliner has now been handed the job full-time, by owner and chairman Robbie Cowling and the rest of the U’s Board.

“The last time I was caretaker manager (2009), I was not ready for the job,” explained Dunne at today’s press conference.

“But this time when the chairman asked me - ‘Do you want it?’ – I defy anyone with feelings for the club to say ‘no.’

“I’ve done it the hard way, coming up from the bottom.”

Dunne has also lost no time in appointing Mark Kinsella as his No. 2.

Like Dunne, former midfielder Kinsella is a former fans’ favourite from his playing days at Layer Road. The two used to play against each other during their teenage days, for their respective Dublin-based clubs.

“Mark is a very highly-rated coach. He is already preparing to take coaching today,” confirmed Dunne.

Dunne, a former player who made more than 160 league games as a right-back for the U’s, has worked his way up through the coaching ranks at the Essex club.

He has been youth team manager, reserve team manager and first team coach, in addition to being assistant manager during Ward’s most recent regime.

The 39-year-old’s first game in charge, as a permanent boss, will be at home to Hartlepool on Saturday.

And it seems likely that Dunne will strengthen his squad before this game, with the addition of one or two loan players.

The U’s are still waiting to chalk up their first win of the season, after nine league and cup games.

Dunne has signed a one-year rolling contract.

Chairman and owner, Robbie Cowling, enthused: “Joe has been with the club a long time, and I am very pleased to give him the job.

“He’s filled most of the positions at the club, and I am really confident that I have appointed the right man for the job. I’d like to wish Joe all the best.”

Dunne was initially only appointed as caretaker boss on Monday, following former manager John Ward’s departure.

But just three days later and Cowling had no hesitation in naming Dunne as his new full-time boss.

Cowling explained: “Even when I initially made Joe caretaker, he was always in my mind the likely candidate to move on, but sometimes you need to sit down and have a chat with somebody.

“Speaking to Joe after that, I was convinced.

“Initially I was thinking maybe I’d see who else applied, but from the moment I spoke to Joe, just when he thought he was going to be caretaker manager, I could see his enthusiasm and his desire to do good for the club.

“My mind was made up,” added Cowling.