Football Potential candidates to be the next man in charge at Rovers
THE managerial rumour mill quickly began spinning after Ben Garner’s sacking was confirmed by Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
The 40-year-old lost his job after a 4-1 defeat to Fleetwood Town which left Rovers 18th in League One with just three wins from 11 games.
Work is underway to identify his successor, and the oddsmakers have published their early odds for the vacancy, and the Bristol Post has run the rule over some of the contenders.
Tommy Widdrington (Rovers’ head of recruitment) Why he could get the job
He knows the workings of the club better than any of the contenders and was central to the construction of this squad in his role of head of recruitment. He helped form the strategy to develop more players from within and would be happy to work within existing frameworks.
Why he won’t
Despite being the bookies’ early favourite, the Post’s website Bristol Live understands the 49-year-old, who has managerial experience in non-league, is not currently being considered.
He holds a boardroom role, which he and the club intend for him to return.
Michael Flynn (Newport County) Why he could get the job
The 40-year-old has amassed experience across three years at Rodney Parade, and his Exiles side are setting the pace at the top of League Two with 18 points from a possible 21 in October.
Flynn has also overcome criticism of his style of play, which in the past has been labelled physical and direct. This term, his Newport team are finding success with a possession-based style.
Why he won’t
Will Rovers want to pay compensation for a manager when there are other possible contenders currently out of work? Newport will be desperate to keep the reigning League Two manager of the month and will drive a hard bargain.
Paul Cook (Unattached) Why he could get the job
Cook’s stock is high after his efforts with Wigan Athletic were undermined by off-field matters which saw the club relegated and subsequently marooned at the bottom of League One. The 53-year-old’s style of play would suit Rovers’ squad. He has three promotions on his CV. Why he won’t
The former Chesterfield and Pompey boss has collected plenty of admirers, and could be waiting for an offer in the Championship.
Steve Cotterill (Unattached) Why he could get the job
Well proven at League One level and above, including trophy-laden spells with Cheltenham Town and Bristol City. Despite his association with the red half of Bristol, his CV is impressive and he lives in the area. Why he won’t
Cotterill has been out of work since 2018 and it is debatable if he would be willing, as a manager who likes to have control, to work within the framework at Rovers. Former chairman Steve Hamer pushed for Cotterill to get the job when the club was looking to replace Darrell Clarke in 2018. The club opted for Graham Coughlan instead.
Danny Cowley (Unattached) Why he could get the job
Danny Cowley and his brother Nicky have a fine reputation after their heroics at Lincoln City, which earned a move to Championship side Huddersfield Town.
The brothers secured Huddersfield’s safety in the division before being relieved of their duties at the end of last season, with the Terriers saying they had a “different vision” under Carlos Coberhan.
Why he won’t
The style of play has been the only mark against the Cowleys, who have used physical, direct and pragmatic tactics to great effect.
That conflicts with the desires of the Rovers board, who are eager to see Rovers play entertaining attacking football. The Cowleys have been linked to Championship jobs.
Sol Campbell (Unattached) Why he could get the job
Was one of the best defenders of his generation and has a wealth of experience, but that has not stopped him mucking in at clubs in the lower reaches of the EFL.
Macclesfield Town have since been expelled from the National League, but in Campbell’s short stint at Moss Rose he masterminded a miraculous escape from relegation danger in League Two.
Many believe he is deserving of an opportunity at a more stable club. Could Rovers be the one?
Why he won’t
The odds were stacked against him with players’ wages unpaid and a transfer embargo, but his time at Southend United was disastrous as they crashed out of League One.
Ian Holloway (Grimsby Town) Why he could get the job
Perhaps the man most synonymous with Bristol Rovers, Holloway already has legend status from his days playing and managing the club. A return appears unlikely, but it would be box office viewing.
Why he won’t
The chance was there for Holloway to return when Rovers were looking for Coughlan’s successor, but he chose not to apply and joined
Grimsby Town shortly after. Bristol Live understands Holloway is settled at Blundell Park and committed to the Grimsby job.
Nigel Adkins (Unattached) Why he could get the job
Adkins has a huge bank of experience, including a pair of promotions with Scunthorpe United and Southampton respectively. The 55-year-old has experience in the Championship and Premier League. He is out of work after leaving Hull City in 2019.
Why he won’t
Adkins is another early candidate likely holding out for an opportunity in the Championship.
Paul Tisdale (Unattached) Why he could get the job
Tisdale had a fine record of developing young talent at Exeter City.
That is what Rovers want to replicate as they vie to become more sustainable, and he has managed almost 700 games.
Why he won’t
Has been considered by Rovers in the past but they opted for Garner instead.
Keith Curle (Northampton Town) Why he could get the job
The 57-year-old’s playing career began with Rovers, and he went on to make more than 700 senior appearances including three England caps. Since retirement, he has been in the dugout for more than 500 games and recently led Northampton Town to promotion from League Two via the play-offs. Bristol Live understands Bristol-born Curle would be interested.
Why he won’t
Northampton’s display at the Mem in October, which led to a 2-0 win for the Gas, was not a good showcase, with the Cobblers not playing in a way that Rovers want to.