Boss Clark axed by struggling Shakers
LEE Clark has been axed as Bury manager after only eight months in charge.
Clark left his position at Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock in February to take over at Gigg Lane and helped the Shakers narrowly avoid relegation last season as they clinched a 19th-placed finish in League One.
Despite the arrival of more than 20 players in the summer – including Jermaine Beckford and Harry Bunn – it has been another disappointing campaign for Bury, and a 1-0 defeat to Doncaster on Saturday was their fourth successive loss, leaving them 23rd in the table.
It has lead to Clark leaving the club, along with his assistant Alan Thompson, who had previously worked alongside Clark at Birmingham and Blackpool.
Former Huddersfield boss Clark said on the club’s website: “I have enjoyed my time at Bury enormously and I wish the board, the players and the supporters all the very best for this season and beyond.”
The 45-year-old had overseen only three wins from 16 league matches this campaign, with Bury languishing three points from safety.
He admitted following their latest setback at the Keepmoat Stadium – which saw Bury’s Eoghan O’Connell sent off in the first half – that he was fighting for his position, but insisted he was still the right man for the job.
“We’ve lost four on the bounce and I know the business I’m in,” he said on Saturday. “It’s not a great run that we’re on but I’m working hard every day. I believe I’m the right man to turn it around.” Bury are yet to announce who will take charge of the team for their FA Cup first round clash at National League side Woking on Saturday. Bury face an EFL Trophy group match at home to Stoke City Under21s on November 8 followed by tough league matches at Gillingham then at home to Blackburn. Former Southampton and Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins has been installed as the early favourite for the role along with Graham Westley and Steve Allens.
United legend Ryan Giggs has been linked with the post, alongside his former team-mate Phil Neville, who is from Bury.
Chairman Stewart Day is keen to find a quick replacement.
“I’ll take my time, but it won’t take long,” he said.
“We hope to have the right person before the Gillingham match in two weeks.
“Based on recent results, it was not good enough and we had to take action.”