Favourites to become new Cheltenham manager as boss leaves after winless and goalless run

The top six favourites to become new Cheltenham manager as boss Wade Elliott leaves after their winless and goalless run to the 23/24 season.

The 44 year old leaves the club bottom of League One, with one point, having lost seven of their eight games and not scored a single goal

Their 3-0 defeat by Peterborough in midweek saw them match the EFL record which has been set by Halifax in 1990-91 of eight games without netting.

Elliott came in to replace Michael Duff as head coach in June 2022, having previously linked up with Cheltenham’s coaching staff in 2020 and had been first-team coach prior to taking the top job.

But after guided them to League One safety and a 16th place last season, his side begun this season on a poor run and failed to score or register a win, meaning his time was up.

Statement: Wade Elliotthttps://t.co/xXLF8DRfDh

— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) September 20, 2023

A statement via their website read: “Cheltenham Town have today parted company with first team manager Wade Elliott by mutual consent.

“The Directors would like to place on record their appreciation for Wade’s contribution since joining the club as a coach in September 2020, playing a significant role in the League Two title win and then the Club’s highest finish alongside Michael Duff. He was named head coach last summer and went on to achieve the Club’s second highest finish in his own right.

“Assistant manager Kevin Russell has been asked to take interim charge of the team against Stevenage at The Completely-Suzuki Stadium on Saturday.”

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW CHELTENHAM MANAGER

BetVictor – 9am – 21st Sept 2023
Graham Coughlin – 6/1
Steve Cotterill – 6/1
Leam Richardson – 8/1
Martin Devaney – 8/1
Kevin Russell – 10/1
Darrell Clarke – 10/1
Danny Cowley – 10/1
Karl Robinson – 10/1

Paul Furley of BBC Radio Gloucestershire, said: “Responsibility always falls upon the person picking the team at a football club, but Cheltenham Town’s problems go deeper than Wade Elliott as head coach.

“The loss of director of football Micky Moore to Shrewsbury Town in May was followed in July by first-team coach Marcus Bignot and recruitment analyst Tom Ware.

“Assistant manager Russell Milton switched to head of recruitment in a transfer window where the club made a total of 13 permanent and loan signings, who are still bedding in.

“As a result, Cheltenham have always been playing catch-up.

“Alfie May was a talisman last season for the Robins, who have missed his work-rate, pace and finishing. His reward for helping to secure safety was permission to leave in the summer, but arguably the money received for him from Charlton (reported to be around £200,000) has not reflected his value to the club.’

Wade Elliott said after the game at Peterborough: “I make the the decisions I think are the best decisions and the noise doesn’t affect me.

“I love doing the job. This club, at this level, is always going to go through sticky periods. People might not want to hear that, but that is the truth.

“We are always, always swimming against the tide. We can make reactionary, short term decisions, but do I genuinely believe I am the best person for the job and to build this club and to keep taking it forward long term? Yes.

“I understand there will be people reading that who will be howling and won’t be especially happy, but it’s genuinely how I feel, which makes it easy to come into work every day and keep chipping away with the group of players.

“I love the club and really enjoy the people in and around it. It’s not difficult for me to come in every day and keep working. We’ll keep pushing and progressing.

“If you think someone else is going to come in and click their fingers and all of a sudden we’re going to transform into a top team in this division, then we are all kidding ourselves.”

Here’s how fans reacted with the favourites to become new Cheltenham manager revealed as the boss leaves after a winless and goalless run…

@mayhem357_mark: Now for Russ Milton and the board.

@cleevecomment: Had to happen. Think there’s no doubt he has given a lot to the club over the last 4 years, no lack of effort or thought…but change is needed. That change now has to be a root and branch review from the board down…this appointment is massive for us! #ctfc

@archieholberton: About time 🥳 Now watch us interview 10 different managers and promote Vincent or someone to manager 🤦‍♂️

@Mrandyschwab: Thanks for your efforts Wade. Decent bloke who worked hard for the club. Hope he does well.

@ethanwwatson: Glad he’s gone as it should’ve been done ages ago but I do feel for him

@darren5808: Now for members of the board to do the same!!

@TomHardcastle: Feel for Wade – losing your best players then losing your TD who is in charge of recruitment and a couple of coaches is a nightmare scenario for any coach in pre season. Agree his tactics especially at home were overly negative but all in all an unfortunate outcome.

@lucyhall03: Thank you for everything Wade. Hugely influential in our title win, and did brilliantly last season as well as with Duffo in L1. All the best for your next club!

@WadesAtTheWheel: Thanks for everything Wade, sold short by club, on to a hiding for nothing. Best for all parties concerned this happened. Wishing you luck for the future and hoping the Town can kick on

@jamesmo15198064: Important. decision to be made now , there must be a positive manager who can inspire , motivate and get the best out of our squad and restore faith in the fans that the board has ambition to get the team winning games and entertain the fans.

@mayhem357_mark: The right decision but he cannot be the only one where the axe falls. Changes needed in Recruitment and board level next.

@cheltski: Thanks Wade. Appreciate what you did last season but the right decision… now time to move forward.

@JME0025: Unfortunately the correct decision, was always going to be tough after Michael Duff and despite some bad performances at times did very well to keep us up, we need new ideas now.

@IronRyan96: I do feel bad for him but it wasn’t working and needed to be done. Fresh ideas needed. Hopefully they’ve got something lined up for Saturday

@CamRennn96: Harsh to just blame WE. Yes he’s the gaffer and has a large part to blame but the stupid board members above him with no passion are also up there. Not replacing May, not buying suitable players in positions and relying on loans is going to cost us.

@nelbo009: Wade deserves plenty of thanks for what he achieved with Duff, & then on his own last year – keeping us up was a great achievement. He goes with best wishes, & I hope he gets another role when he’s ready & is successful. But it was time given how this season has started. #ctfc

@JamesBrownCTFC: Well there you go. It had to happen ahead of the home game on Saturday – it couldn’t continue. I hope the fans can unite now and get behind the interim team in what is going to be such a tough test. Huge test for the club to hire the right manager/head coach now. #ctfc

@OwenCTFC_: The right time, some I know will think its probably too late and they have their reasons. Two huge home games coming up. Thanks for everything Wade, you completed the assignment last season and for that you deserve credit from the entire fanbase. Best of luck. #ctfc

@Hoppo101: I’ve been calling for this but I must admit I feel sad about this. Top man and genuinely cared about the club but there is no way it could continue. All the best wade.