Bristol City finally unveil their new head coach, coming in as a replacement for Lee Johnson who left towards the end of last season.
The Championship outfit finished the 2019/20 campaign in 12th place, taking 63 points from from 46 games.
Holden took control on an interim basis for the final five games, from which City took eight points, picking up their dreadful form which saw them slip away from the playoffs.
#BristolCity are delighted to unveil Dean Holden as the club’s head coach.
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— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) August 10, 2020
CLUB STATEMENT:
Following a thorough selection process, Holden has been selected to lead the Robins and will take formal charge of the team when they report for pre-season training on Tuesday (August 11th).
The 40-year-old took over in a caretaker capacity for the final five games of the 2019/20 season and City Chief Executive Mark Ashton said: “We are delighted to announce Dean as Bristol City’s head coach. We undertook a rigorous recruitment process and, while that rightly took time because of how important it was, we believe we have made the correct decisions about the head coach and the coaching structure.”
Holden will be assisted by Keith Downing and Paul Simpson, who have more than 40 years coaching experience between them at all levels of the game.
Downing joins from the Football Association where he led England Under-19s to victory in the 2017 European Championship, while Simpson steered England to victory in the Under 20s World Cup the same year.
Ashton added: “Dean has a clear vision of how he wants to take us forward and we believe that, along with the addition of Keith and Paul, we will have a coaching team that can deliver that vision. Everyone involved with the club should be excited about this next chapter for Bristol City.”
The appointment continues a four-year association with City for Holden, who said: “I am honoured to take on the role of head coach – it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I’m excited about this opportunity and I’m delighted that the Board have selected me.
“I want to say we will go into every game wanting to win with attacking and exciting football. That’s what fans want. I know what it’s like to be a supporter. I love that our supporters care and are so passionate. I know what that’s like – it’s important to them and rightly so. I spent all my money as a kid following my team around the country home and away.
“What you see is what you get with me. I’ll be honest with the players, staff and the fans and I’ll graft as hard as I can to bring success to this football club.”
It’s an appointment that has angered fans, especially after days following Lee Johnson’s departure, owner Steve Lansdown said in an interview with talkSPORT that he wanted to “bring a breath of fresh air into the club” to help them “take the next step”.
There was plenty of reaction on Twitter as Bristol City finally unveil their new head coach…
— Chris Bryant (@Bryant1chris) August 10, 2020
Up there as the most Bristol City thing Bristol City have ever done. Spend an absolute age looking for a Manager, then appoint the bloke already at the club, who was brought there by the previous incumbent. At best, massive opportunity missed, complete & utter shambles, worst.?♂️
— Herders76 (@Herders76) August 10, 2020
Good luck dean ? fucking shame on you @BristolCity #MAout
— Adam Coombs (@skipperadam) August 10, 2020
I’m not angry at Holden I’m angry at the board because at the end of the day Dean has just accepted a job for a top half championship club. I don’t know why they chose him over Hughton but u can’t help those clueless pricks.
— Tom Cleeves (@CleevesTom) August 10, 2020
I hope I’m proved wrong but I was more excited to hear Rovers news last week that they’d had tarmac laid behind their clubhouse
— Simon Atkins (@DrSAtkins) August 10, 2020
Nothing personal against Deano but when Chris Hughton expresses an interest and you take 5 weeks to appoint our assistant manager it’s a bit of a joke
— K?? (@bcfckierh) August 10, 2020
— Josh Grotzke (@JoshGrotzke) August 10, 2020
The comments are as to be expected. But as always I’ll get behind the manager and support him but the backlash is deserved and the board cannot be surprised one bit..
— Matty Davis (@MattDavis1897) August 10, 2020
— Chris (@chriswalters98) August 10, 2020
— adam (@adamrobins0n1) August 10, 2020
Best of luck Dean, I hope you prove all the doubters wrong.
The board and owners have got a lot to answer for after everything that’s happened in the past 5 weeks though, and even a radio station made the big announcement before the club. A complete shambles
— Bracey (@BraceyIsGod) August 10, 2020
GET ASHTON OUT pic.twitter.com/ED0BSK5oDt
— ‘ (@bcfc_webb) August 10, 2020
Bristol Sport. pic.twitter.com/pWE2K9Ue0E
— jason (@jason_loach) August 10, 2020
This has been a shambles from start to finish. Nothing against Dean Holden, I feel sorry him being put in this position but you’ve now wasted 5-6 weeks to make no change. ??
— Steve (@Nintendoubt815) August 10, 2020
Fair play to Deano he’s a top bloke and none of the blame should ever be put on to him.
Mark Ashton and @JonLansdown on the other hand should have a real hard look at themselves and decide if they really do have the club and fans best interests at heart. Embarrassing 5 weeks.— Tommy Gun ? (@dodgysocket) August 10, 2020
You spelt Chris Hughton wrong.
All the best to Holden, nothing at all against him personally. But one man’s ego has prevented a top manager, and promotion, coming to us.
Have you set up a hotline for season ticket refunds?— Rob Case Ⓥ (@RobboCase) August 10, 2020
Good luck Deano – Prove the majority wrong and make Bristol proud again – More questions than answers for those at the helm of this football club – They can’t hide for ever ?
— Bristol Oli (@BristolOli) August 10, 2020
— Bruton (@joshbruton21) August 10, 2020
Never felt so let down having followed City for 60 years. We are a laughing stock and Ashton has a lot to answer for. Treated the fans as idiots, but just as well the season will start with a closed stadium as it will hide the embarrassment of a half empty stadium
— Nick B (@Somersound) August 10, 2020
No City fans has anything against Holden as a man!
We just didn’t want him as our manager! #Ashtonout
— Leah knight (@leahknight27) August 10, 2020
Is this the appointment to take us to the next level ???? Jokes
— Dave Pagett (@padgers82) August 10, 2020
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