ANGELO Harrop says he will look to strike the same winning balance as his former boss Phil Parkinson as he embarks on his first season as Braintree Town's new manager.

Harrop was a young player at the U's when Parkinson presided over his successful spell in the Layer Road hot seat, which included leading the club to a historic promotion in 2006.

Despite being released by Parkinson at the age of 19, new Iron chief Harrop says he has 'massive respect' for the current Wrexham boss.

The former Gilberd School pupil is now looking to replicate the qualities shown by successful managers, as he looks to bring success to the National League South outfit.

Harrop said: “I was at Colchester from eight years of age to 19 and Phil was the one who released me.

“But I have massive respect for him in terms of the way he managed Colchester United.

“They were low budget at the time and he put a really good side together.

“The way he did things meant that players loved playing for him but also there was a little bit of a fear factor.

“If I can get that balance right, it will only bode well for me in the future.

“It’s not just Phil Parkinson – I watch football all of the time and the different managers.

Braintree and Witham Times:

“You look at the Premier League and the likes of Guardiola and Klopp and the energy that they bring.

“I think the best managers are those who bring different ideas from other countries.

“You’re always learning and fortunately for me, I have some good contacts in the pro game that I can take ideas from.

“I spent a day at Southampton a couple of months ago and saw how they work.

“Fortunately for me, my Dad (Geoff Harrop) is at Southampton so it was a great chance for me to see how they work as a football club and the way that they speak to players is unbelievable.

“I’m lucky enough to also have good friends at Colchester and Norwich and I can go and see how they do things – there might be certain ideas that I really like."

Harrop has enjoyed a rapid rise in his coaching career.

He managed at Stanway Rovers, Brightlingsea Regent and AFC Sudbury, prior to be appointed as Ryan Maxwell's successor at Braintree, last May.

Braintree and Witham Times:

“Braintree is an unbelievable platform to showcase your football at Step Two," added Harrop, who father Geoff was Director of Youth at Colchester.

“You’re not far away from league football there and if you can have a good season at that level, the rest will follow.

“You’ve only got to look at the Cowley brothers.

“I was in constant dialogue with them when they were at Braintree during my time at Stanway Rovers and I listened to what they had to say.

“My journey is quite similar to what they’ve done.

“They started at the lower levels and really earned their worth.

“That’s a dream for me to do something like that.

“It’s important to aim as high as you can.

“I feel like I’m ready for it and now it’s a case of making sure the players are ready for it, too."