A League One manager responds on Tuesday night to a surprise update linking him with the Sheffield Wednesday job which is still up for grabs.
Articles were issued, claiming that the Owls, who are still looking for their new boss, were considering bringing in Darren Moore.
He is currently managing Doncaster Rovers and he has managed to guide them up to 4th place within the League One table, taking 39 points from 20 games.
The South Yorkshire outfit ended up in ninth place for the 2019/20 campaign based on points-per-game (PPG) due to Covid and now they look set for a promotion battle.
He is a former player of Torquay, Doncaster, Bradford, Portsmouth, West Brom, Barnsley, Derby and Burton before hanging up his boots in 2012.
The 46-year-old went on to get the permanent West Brom manager’s job back in May 2018 after the club’s Premier League demise.
Though he was axed sitting fourth in the Championship and in contention for a playoff place.
The report linking him with Donny came from the Daily Mail, however 24 hours on from that rumour, Sheffield Star and Doncaster Free Press reporter Liam Holden claims there’s ‘nothing in it at all’ though.
He wrote: “Had a few people asking/sending web links about Darren Moore and the Sheffield Wednesday job. I’m assured there is nothing in it at all. #drfc #swfc”
Had a few people asking/sending web links about Darren Moore and the Sheffield Wednesday job. I’m assured there is nothing in it at all. #drfc #swfc
— Liam Hoden (@liamhoden) January 18, 2021
Since then, as mentioned in the Sheffield Star, Moore has played down those rumours however hasn’t exactly rules out taking the job: “Honestly, I know a lot of people are speaking about it, but tonight my focus is on the game and Doncaster Rovers – and that’s what it’ll remain until the next one.
“I’m focusing on Saturday, and I can’t stop the speculation and everything else… For me, I’m just focusing on team matters here.”
His team went on to beat Rochdale at home, with the only goal of the game coming from Jon Taylor in the 32nd minute.
The manager responds to the update linking him with the Sheffield Wednesday job, but how does he rank with the bookies?
He currently sits as the third favourite, with Sky Bet giving odds of 6/1 for him to become the next manager of the Owls.
Meanwhile, the men ahead of him are former leading favourite Paul Cook, sitting in second with odds at 4/1, whilst there is still one manager who came in out of nowhere to still lead that market.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein quoted Adam Leventhal in stating that Sheffield Wednesday have already made contact with Serbian Vladimir Ivic, saying: “It’s understood an agent working on behalf of the club made an enquiry to representatives of the Serbian at the end of December — around the time that Tony Pulis was sacked after just 45 days in charge.”
They are usually reliable, however Yorkshire Live say that they haven’t got in touch with him, yet they aren’t as reliable themselves, and Yorkshire Live are a sister outlet of Lancashire outlet that denied Ched Evans was going to Preston before the club themselves confirmed the deal.
The Star have also stated that there has been an approach for Ivic from Sheffield Wednesday so take it as you will.
Ivic is understandably interested in a return to managing in some kind of dugout again.
At the time of Ivic’s departure, it left Watford fifth in the Championship table, nine points behind Norwich and four behind second-placed Bournemouth – with the ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv boss brought in as Nigel Pearson was axed before the final game of the previous season.
Fast forward to the 20th of January 2021 and Watford are now 3rd, seven points behind the league leaders Canaries and three behind second place Swansea.
Draws were the issue for Ivic in the Championship, only losing four of his league games in charge but winning nine and drawing seven, to take 34 points from a possible 60.
He is still the favourites to takeover with Sky Bet having him at 1/1 – after being 1/2 the previous week (Friday 15th January).
Fans have given their reaction as Doncaster manager Darren Moore responds to an update linking him with the Sheffield Wednesday job…
@COwl1867: I don’t think Darren Moore would be too bad at Hillsborough. Plays attacking football and likes a goal. #SWFC
@ryangibsonuk: Sounds keen.
@RichardEddard67: Quality manager
@OnSwfc: Seems a more sensible option than some of the other names on the list, but when it comes to Wednesday, who knows
@ForeverAYellow: Yeah I’m getting the vibe Darren wants it
@Scottscottdodd: All he had to say was he’s going nowhere soon. Clearly has one eye on a bigger move
@KCHeroHD: Wow that’s reassuring 😳😳😳
@PopsideView: He could have ended the speculation
@MartinPresley1: Well that’s just made me a tad nervous. Can’t see him being here long term if he continues to work miracles with the paper thin squad
@CraigWa77179445: He wants a bigger club you can see that he’s not been very reassuring there
@drfcmiller86: Not sure why anyone would want that job anyway the owner is an absolute nut job and they are on the decline
@stevecorner43: He doesn’t exactly commit either if you’re looking at it. Even if Wednesday are not the club he goes to, he doesn’t like he will be there long term.
@martinblack88: This just appears to be his typical response just listen to his responses about transfers etc. Cant see him jumping ship yet because if he gets a play off place after selling your best player and not replacing him. It will make him more desirable…
@Matt_Walker96: Let’s be honest, if a Championship club seriously wants him then he’s gone, no idea why anyone reckons he wouldn’t be doing the same as McCann if he got the chance
@oliver_swan1: I take from that a come and get me plea. I think if the right job comes in the summer he’s gone. #drfc
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