Doncaster Rovers are reportedly keen to appoint ex-Sheff Wed, Plymouth, Rotherham, Shrewsbury player Graham Coughlan as manager.
The managerial vacancy at the Keepmoat Stadium is up for grabs and Coughlan has had talks with the struggling League One outfit, according to BBC Sheffield Sports Editor Andy Giddings.
Donny axed previous boss Richie Wellens earlier in December following a dreadful start to the 2020/21 campaign with the South Yorkshire sitting bottom for the third tier.
Graham Coughlan (Credit: Mansfield Town)
Wellens could only gain three wins from their opening 19 league games, but now unless they drastically turn their form around, face potential relegation to League Two, a division they haven’t been in since the 2016/17 season.
An update on who could take over from Wellens is revealed by BBC Sheffield Sports Editor Andy Giddings, saying: “Understand former Bristol Rovers boss Graham Coughlan has held talks with #drfc about the vacant managers position. Kept The Pirates up who were in similar circumstances. Club board meeting tomrrow to begin shortlisting.”
Gary McSheffrey is currently in charge on a temporary basis but is not actively looking to become the club’s permanent manager.
Applications for the vacancy are set to close on Friday as Doncaster look to appoint an individual who will be capable of helping them stay up.
Graham Coughlan is an Irish professional football manager and former player who played as a centre back. He was most recently joint manager of Sheffield United U23 with Darren Currie.
Coughlan began his career in his native Ireland with Bray Wanderers, before joining Blackburn Rovers. He signed for Livingston in 1999 and his performances for the Scottish club led to a transfer to Plymouth Argyle two years later. He was an integral member of the squad that won two Football League divisional championships between 2002 and 2004, and was a favourite among supporters for his uncompromising style of play at the heart of their defence. Coughlan joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2005, before dropping down to League Two to play for Rotherham United. He moved on to Shrewsbury Town a year later and combined playing duties with coaching their young players. He signed for Southend United in July 2010 and signed a new deal on the 20th of June 2013, but in the role as first team coach, thus bringing the end to his player career.
Graham Coughlan (Credit: Shrewsbury Town_
In 2018, Coughlan joined Bristol Rovers as a defensive coach and was then named caretaker in December 2018, following the departure of Darrell Clarke and Marcus Stewart. In January 2019, he was appointed on a permanent basis after picking up 10 points from a possible 15 over the course of his caretaker spell. At the time of his appointment, the club were sitting 19th in the league, only sitting above the relegation zone on goal difference. With the signing of Jonson Clarke-Harris, Rovers saw an upturn of their fortunes and secured their League One status in the penultimate match after a 0–0 draw at Fleetwood Town.
Having been involved in a relegation battle the previous season, Coughlan’s upturn of fortunes at the club continued into the start of the 2019–20 season. A 1–0 win over MK Dons in October saw his side rise into the playoff positions for the first time in the season. His side returned to these playoff positions in December when they produced a comeback victory to defeat Coughlan’s former side Southend United 4–2. With his side 2–0 down at halftime, Coughlan threatened to cancel the players’ Christmas party before their spectacular comeback.
His side climbed to fourth the following Saturday when they won 2–1 away at Ipswich Town, a result overshadowed by the post-match speculation regarding Coughlan’s position as manager with rumours he was looking to leave the club. These rumours were proved to be true when, two days later, Rovers issued a statement to confirm that the club had allowed Coughlan to speak to Mansfield Town after two previous approaches that had been rejected.
On the 17th of December 2019, Coughlan decided to accept an offer to become new manager of League Two Mansfield Town. It was reported that it was family reasons that he left, his family being based in South Yorkshire.
On the 28th of October 2020, Mansfield Town confirmed they had parted ways with Coughlan, after a poor start to the season and on the 22nd of March 2021, Coughlan joined Sheffield United U23 as a coach until the end of the season, along with Darren Currie.
Twitter users reacted with Doncaster keen to appoint the ex-Sheff Wed, Plymouth, Rotherham, Shrewsbury player…
@C__Bxn: His record at Mansfield was similar to Wellens’ record with us. Surely we can do better.
@Cross31Paul: For gods sake, let’s go with a credible manager for a change instead of trying to fix it on the cheap AGAIN
@callyowl: Couldn’t win a game at Stags
@djoftherovers: Would an awful choice.
@the_names_magee: Would be a horrendous appointment. If this is the calibre of manager we are looking at then god help us. #drfc
@MightyroverMatt: We may as well shut up shop if he makes the short list
@Dannyjbirco: Christ he was absolutely clueless at Mansfield
@JHF02: What a horrific appointment this would be
@OliverFardell: 14% win ratio with presumably one of the biggest budgets in league two at the time at Mansfield, no thanks
@MarkerStag1897: That’s Donny down if they go for him 😂
@TonyGreenall4: One of those choices that’s fine if there’s nowt else. Like when you can’t be bothered cooking so order a pizza. #DRFC
@KieranOMalley: It’s a no from me #drfc
@Ryandunphy95: Just when you thought the keepmoat couldn’t get any emptier #drfc
@Matt_Walker96: You’re alright thanks
@millieDRFC26: Get Brian Flynn back @drfc_official #drfc
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