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Parting shot from the now sacked Michael Flynn at Cheltenham after defeat to Oldham

A parting shot was left from the now sacked Michael Flynn at Cheltenham after defeat to Oldham on Saturday afternoon.

The League Two bottom side announced the departure of Flynn with the 3-0 home loss being the Robins’ ninth in 12 matches across all competitions this season, with just one win from their opening nine league matches.

Flynn, who was appointed by Cheltenham back in May 2024 and they finished 15th place last season, predicted his exit as he hit out at his side’s “nowhere near good enough” performance.

The club said on the decision to part ways: “Cheltenham Town can confirm that we have parted company with manager Michael Flynn following today’s defeat to Oldham Athletic.

“Everyone at the Club would like to thank Michael for his efforts and contributions during his time with us and we wish him all the best in the future.”

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW CHELTENHAM MANAGER

BetVictor – 21st September
Steve Cotterill – 2/1
Jon Brady – 3/1
Adam Hinshelwood – 6/1
Martin Devaney – 8/1
Graham Coughlan – 10/1
Garry Monk – 12/1
Steve Evans – 12/1
Mark Cooper – 12/1
Ian Evatt – 12/1
Leam Richardson – 12/1

Michael Flynn said after the game, per Gloucestershire Live: Nowhere near good enough. Unacceptable. Performances like that get you the sack. I can’t be any more honest than that. I can take responsibility for certain things, but I am not going to just blame myself for that performance today from that group of players.

On if he fears what was coming: I don’t know. I hope it’s not as I really love this club and enjoy working here, but it’s a results business and I am not stupid. I am somebody who is going to come out here and speak quite open and honest with you, whether that’s good or bad. Things have to improve. If I am still here, they need to improve quickly.

On what was missing: Take your pick today. Fight, heart to get on the ball, we had players hiding. Their players were sprinting, first half, and we had players jogging. If that group of players think a new manager comes in and they can turn a switch on and all of a sudden be world beaters, they will have a rude awakening.

On if he thought the players stopped playing for you: No, I don’t, not at all. I just think they were a group of individuals today.

On if he thought he’d been given the tools to succeed in this job: I will take responsibility, we know it’s been a tough summer. Could I have had more help? Yes, in terms of that. But we weren’t in a position to. Like I’ve always said, with the finances here and the longevity of the football club is a lot more important than risking an extra half a million, maybe, to try and give me the tools. We made it work last year. The frustrating thing is that I think this club will go places under Mike Garlick, I really do see it’ll be a positive thing for the football club. I just hope I am part of it because I really think with some more financial help and things done better, we could really improve.

Interviewer: You said a month ago, see where we are in a month and you are still in the same place

Flynn: Yes, I am not coming out here today to make excuses, to go on about injuries, George Miller getting injured. I am not having that because the group of players on there are still professional football players, contracted to this football club. It was nowhere near good enough.

Interviewer:  Do you feel those players should be doing better than they are?

Flynn:  Of course they should, they are bottom of the league. It’s not lying, the table. We have had a horrendous start, the worst start I’ve ever had, but it’s probably the worst group of players I’ve had. In every way. Their desire, professionalism, character. You might say, well you signed them Michael. Sometimes you can only shop in a certain pool and when you do that it’s a lot harder to get them right.

Interviewer:  Is that in games and training?

Flynn:  No. Last week they had an unbelievable week in training. Really good, positive, going to Crawley and we weren’t good enough, we know that, especially second half. This week has been okay. They’ve worked well. Today was awful.

Interviewer: You talk about where you are shopping, but you knew that when you came in didn’t you?

Flynn:  I did. I did well last year, we did well last year. It gets harder to keep pulling rabbits out of a hat and the frustrating thing is that Mike Garlick has come in and I know things will change because he’s a successful person and he isn’t going to have any messing around.

Interviewer:  Do you feel it might happen now, that you could be the fall guy?

Flynn:  I don’t know, but I hope not. That’s completely out of my hands. The one thing I want to say as well is that Oldham were excellent today. They wanted it more than us, ran more than us, brave on the ball, nobody hid. I saw their two centre-backs having a go at their striker when he didn’t put them 4-0 up. That’s a team, that’s togetherness. Nothing was personal, they really had a go at him, he took it on board and I am sure next time if it comes to that, he’ll put them 4-0 up.

Interviewer: Have you not seen enough of that from your players?

Flynn: No. I am watching the same as you and there is nowhere near enough, or in the changing rooms afterwards.

Interviewer:  Some players look like they are completely gone. How can you address that, if you are given more time?

Flynn:  We have to get rid. There are a load of players we need to get out. We need fresh blood. Almost like it’s gone stale.

Interviewer:  You came in at a transitional time, just before a takeover and the club clinging on. How positive was your last chat with Mike Garlick, albeit before this performance and result?

Flynn:   It was positive, but performances get you the sack a lot of the time. If we can come back here and say we lost 1-0, but we hit the post three times, created chance after chance and dominated play, looked dangerous. Those things give you belief. It’s not managers trying to con the public, we know what we’ve seen. Today, what I’ve seen was nowhere near good enough.

Interviewer:  Have you been forthright with the players after that?

Flynn:   I have. I’ve told them. How much they take it on board is down to them. We have to be more professional and it has to hurt more, because this is hurting me big time. Certainly the supporters, who I feel for. I felt for them today and they were right to boo me and sing my name. But when kick set pieces out of play, I am telling you know, we don’t tell them to do that. I don’t tell them not to run and sprint harder than the opposition. There is a lot they need to take responsibility for as well.

Interviewer:  Y If that is the end, do you feel you’ve had a fair crack at the job?

Flynn:   What’s fair? I got given the job and did well last season. Did we have any tools this season? No. I am not going to start blaming anybody. We are in it together, we have to stick together and we have to improve, big time.

Interviewer:   When you took over at Newport, you were in a worse situation than this and you stayed up

Flynn:   Yes, much worse. But I had a group of proper players, especially when I went in there, that we were able to transform and get them to believe in each other, sticking together and it not being over until the lady sings.

Interviewer:   But did they look hopeless before then?

Flynn:   It did, but there were a few injuries as well. Anybody can say that. When a manager goes, it’s usually because results haven’t been good enough, or if someone has come in, paid compensation for them and they’ve gone on to bigger and better things. We are not in a position for that. Staying in the League this season and then letting Mike Garlick get to grips with this club and take it forward because I really believe he will do that.

This is how fans reacted amid a parting shot from the now sacked Michael Flynn at Cheltenham after defeat to Oldham…

@ryangriffin89: Mark Cooper & Son incoming 📨

@Mlabus5: Five games too late. Thank you for your efforts Michael Flynn, but it was coming.

@LoPw8rx8k2dq: Shame it didn’t work out. Nice bloke, just wasn’t working anymore. Wish him the best. Let’s kick on and get someone to turn this around.

@hope_155:
Thought the final comment is more interesting
“You’ve signed them”
“I’ve not”

@TheRealNo5: Sounds like he’s taking the chance to blame others (Johnson?) for recruitment

@MattWillisRail: @CTFCofficial Damning from former manager Flynn #CTFC Club is in a mess!!

@Surti8765: Might as well go out swinging 😂😂😂

@James_McE1: Mr “its never my fault” Flynn is at it again

@Ryan82237512: He’s not wrong these could bring any manager in and there still doomed there team is shite 🤣🤣

@OMP800: Good riddance. Clown from the start Never tried to make a connection with the fans. Blamed the budget and everything else from day 1. Threw young players under the bus. Dreadful bloke and manager 👋

@CharlieGJourno: In the 16 or so months Flynn was at the club, I can’t remember ever coming away from match confident on what the players were asked to do. Situation is everything and this set were doomed to fail, no matter how good they are. #ctfc

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