The Contenders – New Manager

Are the club now going to take the plunge and bring in an ‘outsider’? It certainly seems to be the way this is heading. With Dario named as caretaker manager there is definitely a reluctance from the great man to take the job full time again.

If they were to appoint from within (Neil Baker) they would have done so by now. And for the first time in decades we could well be looking at fresh blood in the management team. But who’s out there?

Let’s see…

Mark Robins

The Rotherham manager has a decent record despite tough times in Yorkshire. As manager of The Robins he has overcome a 17 point deduction this season with the Yorkshire team now sitting above the relegation zone in League Two with 9 points. He’s well thought of at Rotherham and has won 36 games of his 86 as manager. Rumours from recent months suggest he’s an early contender.

Stan Ternent

A whisper Vital Crewe heard themselves not so long ago puts the former Huddersfield manager firmly in contention. Having been sacked by a fellow League One side though having fallen out with half his dressing room you could ask if he is really in the mould that we are looking for. As manager of Bury in the mid-90’s he took them to two successive promotions into the Championship before taking over Burnley, who he also took into the Championship. His record with Huddersfield this season however was not so good with just five wins in 18 games.

Jim Gannon

Wishful thinking or could we tempt the former Alex player? The Stockport manager comes to Gresty Road on Saturday as the Hatters manager but continues to stall on a new contract. He called Stockport’s contract offer unacceptable last week. His record proves he’s one of the best in the lower leagues. When he took over Stockport they were rooted to the bottom of League Two and within three years guided them into League One via the play-offs. Stockport, in their first season in League One, now sit in 9th with their eyes on a second successive promotion.

Steve Davis

The former Crewe defender is currently impressing at local non-league side Nantwich Town. He has had two promotions in 3 years and won the FA Vase in 2006. The Dabbers currently sit 9th in the Unibond Premier. He’ll be a popular choice with Alex fans who pop down to The Weaver Stadium on occassions but may be a little too inexperienced for others.

Nigel Clough

His name seems to pop up for every football job going. The son of legendary Brian Clough has been a loyal manager at Burton Albion in the Blue Square Premier for the past 10 years having over seen their progression into possible promotion challengers in the non-league’s highest tier. He would likely keep to the club’s traditions of looking after the academy but whether he’s ready to leave Albion is the biggest question.

Ian Holloway

Holloway will prove a popular choice if not for his management then definitely for his wacky radio interviews. Having been out of work since being sacked by Leicester City in the summer following their relegation he’s been linked with various jobs. In his management career he managed to steer QPR into the Championship followed by a couple of mid-table finishes. After board disagreements at QPR he took over Plymouth Argyle where he built a play-off challenging team before controversially jumping ship for Leicester after just 18 months. His time at Leicester however was sour, winning just 9 games in 32 and seeing Leicester relegated into League One.

Aidy Boothroyd

Another popular choice who made his name as manager of Watford. Still young at 37, Boothroyd took Watford into the Premiership in his first season in charge. In the Premiership Watford failed to make an impact, finishing 20th but with a FA Cup semi-final under their belt. Their return to the Championship was less successful as they missed out on the play-offs. He was sacked earlier this season but remains highly rated.

Paul Tisdale

Tisdale has brought Exeter City back into the league in his 2nd season at the Grecians. He sold the Alex both Woodards and Billy Jones and his patient passing style of football will impress the Alex directors. Still young, aged 35, Tisdale is definitely one of the upcoming managers with Exeter sitting in 8th in League Two.

David Platt

A true Alex great who knows how the club works could be the direction the club choose. Still in touch with Dario Gradi, Platt is the most obvious of the legends we could turn to. However his spell as Forest manager is not something he would bring up in any job interview. Many Forest fans still blame Platt for much of their financial woes and downfall in recent years. he went on to manage the England U-21s and did a respectable job before getting a media job with Sky. His playing experience is second to none but has time out of the game improved him and more to the point, will he leave a well paid job at Sky Sports?

You could also include Neil Lennon and Craig Hignett as candidates.

But who do YOU want?

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