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There is something quite different about Wanderers’ current search for a manager.
Patience may be wearing thin among supporters as the wait for a new boss stretches towards a 12th week. But the perceived indecisiveness of the Whites co-owners has been mirrored in that no clear favourite has emerged among the fans either.
Even the bookmakers – relied upon to make some sense of the madness and protect their own financial interests – cannot seem to agree on the identity of Bolton’s top choice.
Soon after Neil Lennon was relieved of his duties, Phil Brown was installed as the outright favourite. The former Wanderers assistant, now at Southend United, had been linked with the Sports Shield group since they first appeared on the scene looking to buy the club from Eddie Davies.
It quickly became apparent the Shrimpers would not make things easy, and a water-tight contract signed by the 56-year-old just last summer proved to be his undoing.
In truth, Wanderers fans had been split on his proposed appointment. Brown is still highly regarded in these parts but perhaps still scarred by the ‘old boys’ appointment of Owen Coyle not so long ago, there was a resistance to bring back someone so closely connected with the club’s past.
At one point, Peter Reid looked to be the answer. A partnership between the vastly experienced former Sunderland boss and a younger coach – Kevin Nolan and Kevin Phillips among the mooted names – did raise a flicker of interest.
But at the same time a raft of managerial changes through the Championship and League One provided more food for thought for the co-owners. And it made sense to shop around.
Chris Wilder and John Sheridan both gained plenty of exposure as their name was linked – and in Wilder’s case, removed – from the running. Tellingly, both men now have new employment at Sheffield United and Notts County, respectively.
The modern trend of using third parties to “suss out” the interest of potential candidates or clubs can make it difficult to judge just who is the active party in any discussion. Brian McDermott’s link with Wanderers last weekend was reported very differently in the North West than it was in Berkshire and it is The Bolton News’ understanding that representatives of the recently-sacked Reading boss contacted Bolton, rather than the other way around.
After Wilder and Sheridan’s brief moment in the spotlight, the attention again fell on Reid, who is known to have a good working relationship with both owners but whose appointment was particularly favoured by Holdsworth.
At the same time, Anderson put into motion the final interview process.
In April, he had claimed the shortlist was down to the final three. But when jobs started to open up at Derby County, Blackburn Rovers, Rotherham United, Charlton Athletic, Nottingham Forest and even Aston Villa, the candidates he thought he had nailed down for interview were also looking elsewhere.
It took a full six weeks to establish another four-man shortlist. And it came as some surprise that Reid was not handed a formal interview.
Nigel Adkins, Steve Cotterill and Chris Powell had discussions at the start of last week but Powell removed his name from the running after landing the assistant manager’s job at Derby alongside Nigel Pearson.
A fourth man – believed to be currently in employment – cancelled his interview last week but will pick up the baton again on Wednesday.
Even granted three of the names interviewed there was little agreement among the Wanderers fans as to who was the right man to lead the club forward.
There could yet be a joker in the pack. This week’s interview may see Anderson and Holdsworth retire for deliberations but with McDermott now available, Steve Evans on the brink of leaving Leeds United and another well-respected League One boss tipped to leave his job this week, things could shift again.
Wanderers remain adamant a manager will be in place to welcome his players back by the start of July and make preparations to rebuild the squad. Suffice it to say after nearly three months of waiting, fans still need some convincing of that fact.
Source
Patience may be wearing thin among supporters as the wait for a new boss stretches towards a 12th week. But the perceived indecisiveness of the Whites co-owners has been mirrored in that no clear favourite has emerged among the fans either.
Even the bookmakers – relied upon to make some sense of the madness and protect their own financial interests – cannot seem to agree on the identity of Bolton’s top choice.
Soon after Neil Lennon was relieved of his duties, Phil Brown was installed as the outright favourite. The former Wanderers assistant, now at Southend United, had been linked with the Sports Shield group since they first appeared on the scene looking to buy the club from Eddie Davies.
It quickly became apparent the Shrimpers would not make things easy, and a water-tight contract signed by the 56-year-old just last summer proved to be his undoing.
In truth, Wanderers fans had been split on his proposed appointment. Brown is still highly regarded in these parts but perhaps still scarred by the ‘old boys’ appointment of Owen Coyle not so long ago, there was a resistance to bring back someone so closely connected with the club’s past.
At one point, Peter Reid looked to be the answer. A partnership between the vastly experienced former Sunderland boss and a younger coach – Kevin Nolan and Kevin Phillips among the mooted names – did raise a flicker of interest.
But at the same time a raft of managerial changes through the Championship and League One provided more food for thought for the co-owners. And it made sense to shop around.
Chris Wilder and John Sheridan both gained plenty of exposure as their name was linked – and in Wilder’s case, removed – from the running. Tellingly, both men now have new employment at Sheffield United and Notts County, respectively.
The modern trend of using third parties to “suss out” the interest of potential candidates or clubs can make it difficult to judge just who is the active party in any discussion. Brian McDermott’s link with Wanderers last weekend was reported very differently in the North West than it was in Berkshire and it is The Bolton News’ understanding that representatives of the recently-sacked Reading boss contacted Bolton, rather than the other way around.
After Wilder and Sheridan’s brief moment in the spotlight, the attention again fell on Reid, who is known to have a good working relationship with both owners but whose appointment was particularly favoured by Holdsworth.
At the same time, Anderson put into motion the final interview process.
In April, he had claimed the shortlist was down to the final three. But when jobs started to open up at Derby County, Blackburn Rovers, Rotherham United, Charlton Athletic, Nottingham Forest and even Aston Villa, the candidates he thought he had nailed down for interview were also looking elsewhere.
It took a full six weeks to establish another four-man shortlist. And it came as some surprise that Reid was not handed a formal interview.
Nigel Adkins, Steve Cotterill and Chris Powell had discussions at the start of last week but Powell removed his name from the running after landing the assistant manager’s job at Derby alongside Nigel Pearson.
A fourth man – believed to be currently in employment – cancelled his interview last week but will pick up the baton again on Wednesday.
Even granted three of the names interviewed there was little agreement among the Wanderers fans as to who was the right man to lead the club forward.
There could yet be a joker in the pack. This week’s interview may see Anderson and Holdsworth retire for deliberations but with McDermott now available, Steve Evans on the brink of leaving Leeds United and another well-respected League One boss tipped to leave his job this week, things could shift again.
Wanderers remain adamant a manager will be in place to welcome his players back by the start of July and make preparations to rebuild the squad. Suffice it to say after nearly three months of waiting, fans still need some convincing of that fact.
Source
