An experienced manager is reportedly keen on taking over at Championship club Bristol City after the sacking of Lee Johnson on Saturday.
Mick McCarthy has been linked with a return to football since he stood down as Republic of Ireland manager and was immediately replaced by Stephen Kenny, who had been in charge of the nation’s under-21s.
Reports on Sunday morning suggest that the 61-year-old has ‘thrown his hat into the ring’ following the sacking of Johnson, who was axed after yesterday’s defeat to Cardiff City, making it their fourth in succession.
Mick McCarthy interested in Bristol City job after Robins sack Lee Johnson | @pjcadden https://t.co/YUHfmRhSAf
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) July 4, 2020
That loss leaves Bristol City 12th in the table, nine points adrift of the final play-off spot – which is ironically occupied by Saturday’s opponents – with five games to go.
McCarthy is said to be fancying an instant return to club management having left the Republic of Ireland job back in early April, shocking plenty.
McCarthy is currently out of work having ended his second spell in charge of the national team following the postponement of the Euros to next summer, and he has vast amounts of Championship experience having guided both Sunderland and Wolves to promotion and Ipswich to the playoffs a fair few years ago.
MCCARTHY MANAGERIAL STATS:
Millwall – 18 Mar 1992 until 4 Feb 1996 – 203 games, 74 wins, 70 draws, 59 defeats – 36.5 % won
Republic of Ireland – 1 Mar 1996 until 5 Nov 2002 – 68 games, 29 wins, 20 19 – 42.6 % won
Sunderland – 12 Mar 2003 until 6 Mar 2006 – 147 games, 63 wins, 26 draws, 58 defeats – 42.9 % won
Wolves – 21 Jul 2006 until 13 Feb 2012 – 270 games, 104 wins, 66 draws, 100 defeats – 38.5 % won
Ipswich Town – 1 Nov 2012 until 10 Apr 2018 – 279 games, 105 wins, 78 draws, 96 defeats, – 37.6 % won
Republic of Ireland – 25 Nov 2018 until 4 Apr 2020 – 10 games, 5 wins, 4 draws, 1 defeat – 50.0 % won
Total – 977 380 264 333 38.9
Bristol City chief executive Mark Ashton said: “We recognise the huge amount of work that Lee has put in over the last four-and-a-half years to move this club forward and we thank him for all his
efforts.
“There have been some special moments over those years and Lee has played a significant part in them.
“However, success in football is ultimately judged by results and league position and the Board believes that a change of management is needed now for Bristol City.”
Assistant head coach Dean Holden will take over immediately in a caretaker capacity as the club look to appoint a successor.
The Robins host relegation battlers Hull City at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night.
CURRENT FAVOURITES FOR THE JOB:
Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe is the current favourite for the job at 8/11, despite him stating his intention to stay at the newly promoted club, who will be in League One next season.
Out of work manager Chris Hughton is second in the running at 5/2, according to Sky Bet, however he has previously revealed that he feels he is good enough to manage a Premier League club again having felt harshly sacked by Brighton after keeping them up last season.
The rest sees Mark Robins at 8/1, Mick McCarthy at 10/1, Alex Neil at 14/1, Tony Pulis at 18/1, Paul Cook at 20/1, Slavisa Jokanovic at 20/1, Dean Holden at 22/1 and Lee Bowyer at 22/1.
Fans reacted after reports came out that the experienced manager is keen on taking over at Bristol City, fair to say there were plenty of fans against him being the replacement…
? @Sharpieee22 pic.twitter.com/VBgTm61T6P
— Danny Jamieson (@DannyJamieson) July 4, 2020
No thanks – killed Ipswich
— Iain Shaddick (@Anglianred) July 5, 2020
Come back Lee, all is forgiven ?
— ? ? ? ? ? ? (at ?) (@NathanTippins) July 4, 2020
Bet he is??
— Ian Gay (@RealBristolBoy) July 4, 2020
I’d actually take Mick McCarthy tbf or Chris Houghton obviously
— Lewis Hall (@LewisBCFC17) July 4, 2020
Bloody hope not
— James Gilmore (@jammergilmore) July 4, 2020
Mick McCarthy for me. We’ll need a manage who can work within a super tight budget next year, and he worked miracles at Ipswich with zero money. Only concern is he might be a bit too old school for modern football, but he fits the bill
— Edd Layton (@eddlayton) July 5, 2020
Who in gods hell would want mick McCarthy in charge…
— Lewis (@lewis_blissy97) July 4, 2020
If we appoint Mick McCarthy I will jump of the suspension bridge i stg
— Jack (@Dragocen_) July 4, 2020
He will keep you up though ??
— Tim Wegener (@timcwegener) July 5, 2020
No thanks! ?
— Liam M. (@lpmoffatt) July 4, 2020
— Ryan Richardson (@Ry_Ry91) July 5, 2020
— Ethan (@BcfcKk) July 4, 2020
Paul Cook, Nigel Clough or Mick McCarthy for me.
— Chris Cooper (@ChrisJCooper92) July 4, 2020
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