Home
Kevin Davies reckons the lure of Bolton Wanderers could easily attract managers from higher up the football league pyramid this summer.
The former Whites captain has watched an early list of candidates emerge since the weekend and is not surprised that many of the names linked are already in a job.
Ex-Bury boss Ryan Lowe, now in charge at Plymouth, is now the bookmakers' favourite and it now appears there is some substance to rumours he could be being sized up to replace Keith Hill.
Shrewsbury's Sam Ricketts, Bristol City's Dean Holden and Barrow's Ian Evatt have also featured heavily on the rumour mill - and though doubts have been cast in some quarters that a move to Bolton at this stage in the club's history could be considered a 'backwards step,' Davies is of the opinion that the fresh canvass is a perfect starting point.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for someone because you are nearly starting from scratch with the squad, you have a top stadium which is a massive selling point and a big fanbase who are just desperate to see the club doing well again. If someone gets that right... It is some club.
“I honestly think there will be managers in League One who would drop down to manage Bolton.
“And I know of good candidates who have won promotions, worked at the lower end of the Championship, who would fancy the job."
Proven names who are out of a job such as Chris Powell, Simon Grayson and Gary Bowyer are also understood to have thrown their hat into the ring.
Bolton appear content to take their time with an appointment, particularly with a decision due soon on whether Leagues One and Two will be working under a salary cap. If that decision is voted through there will be implications on what cash would be available for a potential boss.
It is also understood that the potential 'football philosophy' of an incoming manager is important in the process, with Wanderers' owners looking to restructure both their coaching and recruitment to provide better long-term success.
Davies believes there will be a balance to be struck in League Two between establishing a foundation for the future, and making sure Wanderers are the right side of the dotted line next summer.
“It depends on the style of football you are look at – are you willing to take a bit of time and get a manager who wants to play, or it is promotion-first, and the style isn’t so much of a consideration?
“Either way you need someone who is astute, knows which players are going to fit with his style of play and if Bolton are restructuring their recruitment department you need to be able to work with that too.
“The size of the club at that level of football should mean you can pick up some of the better out of contract players."
Source
The former Whites captain has watched an early list of candidates emerge since the weekend and is not surprised that many of the names linked are already in a job.
Ex-Bury boss Ryan Lowe, now in charge at Plymouth, is now the bookmakers' favourite and it now appears there is some substance to rumours he could be being sized up to replace Keith Hill.
Shrewsbury's Sam Ricketts, Bristol City's Dean Holden and Barrow's Ian Evatt have also featured heavily on the rumour mill - and though doubts have been cast in some quarters that a move to Bolton at this stage in the club's history could be considered a 'backwards step,' Davies is of the opinion that the fresh canvass is a perfect starting point.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for someone because you are nearly starting from scratch with the squad, you have a top stadium which is a massive selling point and a big fanbase who are just desperate to see the club doing well again. If someone gets that right... It is some club.
“I honestly think there will be managers in League One who would drop down to manage Bolton.
“And I know of good candidates who have won promotions, worked at the lower end of the Championship, who would fancy the job."
Proven names who are out of a job such as Chris Powell, Simon Grayson and Gary Bowyer are also understood to have thrown their hat into the ring.
Bolton appear content to take their time with an appointment, particularly with a decision due soon on whether Leagues One and Two will be working under a salary cap. If that decision is voted through there will be implications on what cash would be available for a potential boss.
It is also understood that the potential 'football philosophy' of an incoming manager is important in the process, with Wanderers' owners looking to restructure both their coaching and recruitment to provide better long-term success.
Davies believes there will be a balance to be struck in League Two between establishing a foundation for the future, and making sure Wanderers are the right side of the dotted line next summer.
“It depends on the style of football you are look at – are you willing to take a bit of time and get a manager who wants to play, or it is promotion-first, and the style isn’t so much of a consideration?
“Either way you need someone who is astute, knows which players are going to fit with his style of play and if Bolton are restructuring their recruitment department you need to be able to work with that too.
“The size of the club at that level of football should mean you can pick up some of the better out of contract players."
Source