Home
Wanderers fans have waited a long time for their club to appoint a new manager – and the signs indicate the club’s owners are still undecided on the man they want.
Three candidates were interviewed on Monday, another already-employed manager is looking to reschedule and at least one more worthy candidate has contacted Ken Anderson since the weekend and may be considered.
It is still a case of ‘ifs, buts and maybes’ for now – but what do we know of the three men definitely in the frame?
Here The Bolton News analyses their strengths and weaknesses, plus hear from some of the people who know them well.
NIGEL ADKINS
High points: Led Southampton to back-to-back promotions and it came as some shock when the Saints replaced him with the then-unknown Mauricio Pochettino. Also took Scunthorpe United to two promotions from League One into the Championship.
Low points: His last spell at Sheffield United ended in surprising failure as the Blades finished 11th and eight points off the play-off spots despite having League One’s biggest playing budget.
Associated staff: Andy Crosby has been Adkins’ right-hand man throughout his managerial career but Dean Wilkins has also been a regular member of his backroom.
What he brings: James Shield of the Sheffield Star believes he inherited a host of problems when he walked into Bramall Lane. “I wasn’t entirely surprised by his exit but it was clear the issues he walked into were going to take time to clear, and you don’t get much of that in football.”
Is he a good fit for Wanderers? – He has a point to prove after spells at Reading and Sheffield United ended badly. Wanderers need someone who can construct a League One side quickly and Adkins has fished from this particular pool for quite some time. He is also a particularly positive person, which might brighten the mood somewhat around the Macron.
Any doubts? – Budget-wise, Adkins has never had it overly tough. Even at Scunthorpe he enjoyed a bit more cash than his successors and at Sheffield United he had a depth of squad that no-one else in the division could match. His uber-positive outlook did wear thin in the end on the battle-hardened folk of South Yorkshire.
CHRIS POWELL
High points: Leading Charlton Athletic to promotion in his first full season as a manager was some achievement, with the Addicks languishing in mid-table in League One when he stepped up to the role. He was only three points off a Championship play-off place the following season too.
Low points: Powell’s time in charge at Huddersfield Town never got going. Problems behind the scenes developed, with players sold on and not being replaced, but the former England international’s reputation took a dent as a result.
Associated staff: Alex Dyer has been Powell’s right hand man at both Charlton and Huddersfield Town. Jason Euell is another man who was brought into the coaching fold by the former PFA representative.
What he brings: Rich Cawley, of the South London Press, believes Powell is a great man-manager who could get the best out of the Bolton squad. “He’s one of the most genuine blokes in football,” he said. “He’s dedicated, thoughtful, and gets the best out of the players. He certainly pulled together a pretty impressive side and mind-set at Charlton compared to when he took the job.”
Is he a good fit for Wanderers? – A calm head to ease the madness which has swept around the Macron? Perhaps. Powell knows Ken Anderson well and is an extremely respected figure in football. His Charlton side won promotion from League One in 2012 and nearly made the Championship play-offs the following season.
Any doubts? – Is he too sensible to step into a job and a club which many see as insecure? Powell’s style of football was criticised at Huddersfield for being a shade on the defensive side – which won’t necessarily please the punters at Bolton.
NB: Chris Powell took up an assistant manager's job at Derby County since this article was first published on May 26.
STEVE COTTERILL
High points: Cotterill blitzed League Two with Notts County in 2010, losing just once in 18 games as he guided the Magpies to promotion. When he gets it right, he does it in style, and he had a similarly spectacular promotion with Bristol City in 2015, winning the title by 10 points and also lifting the Football League Trophy at Wembley.
Low points: A 13-game spell at Stoke City in 2002 still rankles with Potters fans, while his time in charge at Nottingham Forest between 2010 and 2013 – albeit in very unsecure times at the City Ground – was also relatively disappointing.
Associated staff: All of Cotterill’s backroom are still with Bristol City but Wade Elliott worked with him at Burnley and would potentially be one of the people he would reach out for at Wanderers.
What he brings: Andy Stockhausen, of the Bristol Post, reckons Cotterill is a manager who eats, breathes and sleeps football. “He’s thorough, the type who will want to have a say in everything from top to bottom – even the kind of tea they serve in the canteen. His knowledge of football is encyclopaedic and he’s a workaholic. He’s a very intense guy at times.”
Is he a good fit for Wanderers? – Cotterill is driven and has an excellent record of getting promotions with Bristol City, Notts County and Cheltenham Town. He is driven and would bring a very different approach to the other two men interviewed on Monday.
Any doubts? – The indications are that Wanderers’ ownership are already lining up players, and they have taken decisions on the current squad without a manager being in place. Whether Cotterill can relinquish control and work within a different system of football operations remains to be seen. Also, the tough love approach failed with Neil Lennon, can it work in League One?
Source
Three candidates were interviewed on Monday, another already-employed manager is looking to reschedule and at least one more worthy candidate has contacted Ken Anderson since the weekend and may be considered.
It is still a case of ‘ifs, buts and maybes’ for now – but what do we know of the three men definitely in the frame?
Here The Bolton News analyses their strengths and weaknesses, plus hear from some of the people who know them well.
NIGEL ADKINS
High points: Led Southampton to back-to-back promotions and it came as some shock when the Saints replaced him with the then-unknown Mauricio Pochettino. Also took Scunthorpe United to two promotions from League One into the Championship.
Low points: His last spell at Sheffield United ended in surprising failure as the Blades finished 11th and eight points off the play-off spots despite having League One’s biggest playing budget.
Associated staff: Andy Crosby has been Adkins’ right-hand man throughout his managerial career but Dean Wilkins has also been a regular member of his backroom.
What he brings: James Shield of the Sheffield Star believes he inherited a host of problems when he walked into Bramall Lane. “I wasn’t entirely surprised by his exit but it was clear the issues he walked into were going to take time to clear, and you don’t get much of that in football.”
Is he a good fit for Wanderers? – He has a point to prove after spells at Reading and Sheffield United ended badly. Wanderers need someone who can construct a League One side quickly and Adkins has fished from this particular pool for quite some time. He is also a particularly positive person, which might brighten the mood somewhat around the Macron.
Any doubts? – Budget-wise, Adkins has never had it overly tough. Even at Scunthorpe he enjoyed a bit more cash than his successors and at Sheffield United he had a depth of squad that no-one else in the division could match. His uber-positive outlook did wear thin in the end on the battle-hardened folk of South Yorkshire.
CHRIS POWELL
High points: Leading Charlton Athletic to promotion in his first full season as a manager was some achievement, with the Addicks languishing in mid-table in League One when he stepped up to the role. He was only three points off a Championship play-off place the following season too.
Low points: Powell’s time in charge at Huddersfield Town never got going. Problems behind the scenes developed, with players sold on and not being replaced, but the former England international’s reputation took a dent as a result.
Associated staff: Alex Dyer has been Powell’s right hand man at both Charlton and Huddersfield Town. Jason Euell is another man who was brought into the coaching fold by the former PFA representative.
What he brings: Rich Cawley, of the South London Press, believes Powell is a great man-manager who could get the best out of the Bolton squad. “He’s one of the most genuine blokes in football,” he said. “He’s dedicated, thoughtful, and gets the best out of the players. He certainly pulled together a pretty impressive side and mind-set at Charlton compared to when he took the job.”
Is he a good fit for Wanderers? – A calm head to ease the madness which has swept around the Macron? Perhaps. Powell knows Ken Anderson well and is an extremely respected figure in football. His Charlton side won promotion from League One in 2012 and nearly made the Championship play-offs the following season.
Any doubts? – Is he too sensible to step into a job and a club which many see as insecure? Powell’s style of football was criticised at Huddersfield for being a shade on the defensive side – which won’t necessarily please the punters at Bolton.
NB: Chris Powell took up an assistant manager's job at Derby County since this article was first published on May 26.
STEVE COTTERILL
High points: Cotterill blitzed League Two with Notts County in 2010, losing just once in 18 games as he guided the Magpies to promotion. When he gets it right, he does it in style, and he had a similarly spectacular promotion with Bristol City in 2015, winning the title by 10 points and also lifting the Football League Trophy at Wembley.
Low points: A 13-game spell at Stoke City in 2002 still rankles with Potters fans, while his time in charge at Nottingham Forest between 2010 and 2013 – albeit in very unsecure times at the City Ground – was also relatively disappointing.
Associated staff: All of Cotterill’s backroom are still with Bristol City but Wade Elliott worked with him at Burnley and would potentially be one of the people he would reach out for at Wanderers.
What he brings: Andy Stockhausen, of the Bristol Post, reckons Cotterill is a manager who eats, breathes and sleeps football. “He’s thorough, the type who will want to have a say in everything from top to bottom – even the kind of tea they serve in the canteen. His knowledge of football is encyclopaedic and he’s a workaholic. He’s a very intense guy at times.”
Is he a good fit for Wanderers? – Cotterill is driven and has an excellent record of getting promotions with Bristol City, Notts County and Cheltenham Town. He is driven and would bring a very different approach to the other two men interviewed on Monday.
Any doubts? – The indications are that Wanderers’ ownership are already lining up players, and they have taken decisions on the current squad without a manager being in place. Whether Cotterill can relinquish control and work within a different system of football operations remains to be seen. Also, the tough love approach failed with Neil Lennon, can it work in League One?
Source