New favourite named to become new Tranmere manager

A new favourite has been named to become the next Tranmere Rovers manager – and he’s popular with fans having previously managed them.

Micky Mellon is now the odds-on favourite to return to Prenton Park with his exit from Dundee United set to be confirmed.

The Scottish boss moved north from the Super White Army for his first football role in his homeland, replacing Robbie Neilson who joined Hearts after earning promotion with the Tangerines.

However speculation has recently linked the boss with a return to his former club after his spell at Tayside, finishing in 9th place of the SPFL Premiership table and lead the club to Hampden Park where they lost 2-0 to Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi final.

Now reports emerging on Monday suggest his Tannadice tenure is over but the parting is ‘amicable’. Mellon won 32% of his games in charge – 15 from 46, losing 16 and drawing 15.

Doncaster Rovers were previously said to be keen on the 49-year-old, before they ended up with Richie Wellens and now suggestions are he could replace Keith Hill at his old club on Merseyside.

As well as managing Dundee United, Mellon has also released a book on football management during the season, which will be of interest to some.

With his departure to be confirmed, he is now 4/9 according to Sky Bet, with Hartlepool Untited’s Dave Challinor second favourite.

Micky Mellon – 4/9
Dave Challinor – 11/4
John McGreal – 14/1
Andy Parkinson – 16/1
Ian Dawes – 16/1
Lee Carsley – 16/1

After leaving the League Two club, in July 2020, Micky Mellon said he’ll always watch out for Tranmere Rovers’ results in an emotional goodbye to the club.

He said: “I need people to understand how big a decision it was for me.

“Anyone who knows me will know what a fantastic time I’ve had at Tranmere.

“I’ve lived down there and enjoyed it there.

“I think I just felt the opportunity came to do something I’ve always wanted to do and that was manage in Scotland and be up among my family.

“A fantastic club like Dundee United was going to be something that makes me think.

“It was going to take something really special to make me want to take it on.

“That doesn’t make my feelings for Tranmere any different, it’s obviously a special place for me.

“It’s always going to be one of the first results I look for.

“The fans, the chairman, Nicola Palios, I had such a great time there and it will certainly be somewhere I miss very much.”

After leading Tranmere to two promotions, it would be easy for Mellon to single out some highlights of his time in charge.

Yet the 48-year-old said he will look back on the entirety of his time at the club with fondness.

He said: “People will speak about Wembley but the moment I walked through the door, it felt so special to me.

“The welcome I got when I came back was unbelievable and the support I’ve received through all times, not just good times, the times that were tough, we went to some unbelievable places and got results.

“Some places that Tranmere shouldn’t have been playing, to be perfectly honest, but it drove us on even more.

“Myself, the chairman, the coaching staff, the players and the fans, as one, were driving Tranmere back to where they should be.”

Mellon also vowed to return to Prenton Park in order to properly thank fans for their support. That has been hard to do however with the country in lockdown and unable to enter through the turnstiles.

He said: “I’m up here in Scotland but I’ll be coming back when the opportunity is open to me.

“Back to see the club.

“I know the club will keep going from strength to strength, there’s no doubt about that.

“It’s all set up to continue its development again and I’ll be watching, expecting it to keep moving forward.

“I’ll be celebrating the results.”

Ian Dawes was placed in charge for Tranmere’s playoff matches, though it is unsure whether he will remain in the role for the upcoming campaign.

Fans reacted with a new favourite named to become the new Tranmere manager…

“Official announcement as soon as Tuesday” announcement by the end of the week then @TranmereRovers 😍😍 https://t.co/jv8HGibeWf

— Dan Braden (@danbraden15) May 24, 2021

@AdamDaav: Would Micky Mellon come back to Tranmere? I can’t see it. Plenty of bigger clubs might be interested. He probably wants a different challenge. Won’t stop me dreaming about it!

@MH_TRFC: @TranmereRovers lads. Come on.

@MattMcardlx: Let’s be honest, it’s unlikely, but no Tranmere fan can say they’d say no to Mellon. Spent the past few years being integral to the owners plans and visions for the club going forward. there’s definitely unfinished business. surely, surely not..? #TRFC #SWA

@PinchTRFC: Rather have Challinor than for Mellon to come back #TRFC

@Kev_Park6: back to @TranmereRovers please

@sdhunterx: Micky Mellon leaving @dundeeunitedfc + Managerial vacancy @TranmereRovers. I wonder if @markpalios1 and @NicolaPalios are doing the same maths as the rest of us…

@JJHatesTories: If Micky Mellon had a middle man to handle his signings i think it’d be alright. Personally though I think we should use the opportunity for a fresh start for the club like we probably should have done this season

@ham_ezz: Just saw Micky Mellon in Upton sainsburys, so I asked him if he was coming back to tranmere. Immediately after I said that, he threw me into the freezers, proceeded to fuck me in the nose and whispered “Micky Mellon’s going for 3 in a row” in my ear. Make of that what you will.

@RicciTRFC: Mellon speculation will be rife I’m sure now. They say never go back but…….. #trfc #swa

Fans continued to react with Micky Mellon named the new favourite to become the next Tranmere manager…

@TheDalaiRammer: Tranmere knocked out of the play-offs….. Micky Mellon is the man to rebuild them IMO

@TekelTowers: I wasn’t a big fan of Mellon as Utd Gaffer + was critical of him on here, on a few ocassions. So, i can’t say i am unhappy he’s going. If he’s left Utd for Tranmere after just 1 season however, then i think serious questions need asked about the set-up + Asghar in particular

@NeilGwirral: What if Mellon wanted dawesy as number 2 and this is his masterplan all along 👀🤣🤯 #swa #tranmere

@SteveGrundy15: Mellon club legend up there with kingy, don’t ruin that by coming back, fresh approach stop harking back to the past!!! #swa #trfc

@wilkofreck: Really??! Meanwhile…..on planet earth….every other Tranmere fan in the world is desperately hoping we can get Micky back

@scott_trfc: If we can financially back Mellon if he comes back, especially in league 2, I can see him doing well here. Give him the right amount to build around Vaughan, Spearing, Clarke etc and I don’t have any doubt in him building a good squad. #TRFC

@nathandodd93: The return of the king. Get him on a 1st class train to Birkenhead right fucking now @TranmereRovers @ThisIsTranmere

@DavidNe43096753: Id give him a second bite.

@mnz116: No coincidence it comes more clearer right after @TranmereRovers are out play offs

@olsterbean:
Heart- Get Mickey Mellon back in cos he’s fucking boss
Head- He’s too good for us
Sad times #swa

@smithyTRFC: Understand people thinking Micky may be a bad choice. However may I remind you he built a group of lads who we all would of rather had out in the pitch yesterday. The team he gave us had bollocks, he stood for no messing.

@deantrfc92: Not for me he jumped ship fuck him off! We’re better than him did you see how bad we were in league one with him no from me!

Dont you dare do it @TranmereRovers. Its time to move on. https://t.co/MEAFpHrTEn

— el Browso (@Lee_TRFC) May 24, 2021