The top six favourites to become new Forest Green Rovers boss as the League One club parts company with head coach Ian Burchnall.
The ex-Notts County boss Burchnall was appointed in May, after the departure of Rob Edwards who went to Watford after Forest Green’s promotion to League One.
However, they have only picked up five wins from their 28 league matches this season and are four points from safety.
Forest Green Rovers can confirm the departure of Head Coach Ian Burchnall with immediate effect.#WeAreFGR💚
— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) January 25, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Forest Green Rovers have confirmed the departure of Head Coach Ian Burchnall, with immediate effect. Recruitment for his replacement will begin right away.
Club Chairman, Dale Vince, said: “I’m grateful to Ian for all his hard work this season, it’s definitely not been easy. Our first season in League One was always going to be a challenge in itself but it’s been been made more difficult by a number of factors, with their roots in last summer. I believe in Ian as a coach, but circumstances have led us to this place, we’ve recruited strongly in the January window, player wise – now we need to recruit a new head coach – to give ourselves the best chance or staying in this league.”
Ian Burchnall said: “I want to thank Dale for giving me the opportunity to manage in the Football League. The challenge was greater than I could have thought coming in. I have learnt a lot though. For the fans, I am sorry that I couldn’t make it work and that they didn’t see the best of my team. I hope for them the team turns it around. They deserve a team in League One. My extended thanks to the players, staff and everyone at the club for their efforts – I wish you all the best for the future.”
Ian said after defeat at Bolton, as per Gloucestershire Live: “Disappointing really considering the nature of the game. The early goal is always tough but after that, we had a good period. The red card changed the complexion of the game, I felt we had control of it but the quality in the final third wasn’t good enough. Our commitment in the box, we didn’t challenge their goal considering the amount of ball we had.
“Against 11 men we did okay, we created a couple of chances and passed the ball well. When it went to 10 men, they sat back and defended well but we have to do more to unlock a defence. We don’t take enough shots, we don’t take enough risks in the final third, and the crosses we don’t beat the first man. The quality, when got to the final third, was too poor.
“It’s frustrating, maybe if it’s 0-0 Bolton are maybe a bit more open. At 1-0, they sat deep and I cannot blame them for that. They defended the box magnificently but we didn’t challenge them enough.”
TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW FOREST GREEN BOSS
BetVictor – 1pm – 25 Jan 2023
Danny Cowley – 4/1
Grant McCann – 6/1
Nigel Adkins – 6/1
Leam Richardson – 8/1
Liam Manning – 8/1
Lee Bowyer – 10/1
BetVictor – 4pm – 25 Jan 2023
Duncan Ferguson – 2/1
Danny Cowley – 8/1
Steve Cotterill – 12/1
Grant McCann – 12/1
Nigel Adkins – 12/1
Learn Richardson – 16/1
This is what fans had to say with the top six favourites to become new Forest Green boss revealed as the club parts company with their head coach…
@DomShorts: I take no pleasure in IB’s departure, as am sure he’s a decent bloke, but the writing was on the wall way back at the beginning of the season. Hope this means that @Lukemcgee1 will be sticking around.
@Robertnotts: No time to gloat, we’ve got a fantastic manager, but IB is a fantastic coach
@safetywatto: Been coming a while. Shame as I liked him at Notts but think looking at this season he did us a favour by leaving
@FPLPoliticsPain: finally! Wish him luck wherever he goes next, but it’s very very clear this wasn’t working here. We’ve got a good squad now following the january investment, let’s get a new manager bounce and give ourselves half a chance of survival!
@QuentinBall: Coach was never fully invested in the club, he mentioned more than once how he lived in Cambridge and only stayed in the area a few nights a week. For a club in a new league, there needs to be a full on commitment towards the campaign
@beauly_paul: Let’s be honest I’m buzzing but it’s 2 months too late
@GezRogers: Luke Williams of Notts County is doing a superb job. I think you should go for him!
@damnberry: Had 13 men last night and played a 7-2-1 for some reason
@Rover98FGR: Fair play to him for his statement. Seemed like a nice bloke, but out of his depth Personally think we are going down regardless, so time to appoint for long term and rebuild
@CharlieDale09: Chances of the new manager being Scottish? 🏴 🤣
@Nottscountydan: Bless him. Just a leap too far, too soon. Hope he gets fixed up somewhere he can do well.
@PaulTHFCDav: Needed to be done , think the job was too much for him . Hopefully now we can push on and stay up .
@alexwest88:
Ran off after 1 season of a four year project
Sacked half way through his season in his next one
Karma
@BRowlesy: No one likes to make a big decision but this is the right one! We get behind the team now & give it a bloody good go! COME ON YOU ROVERS!!! #WeAreFGR
@brendanBWFC: We end so many managers #bwfc
@josh__brn: Enjoy League 2 lads 👋🏻👋🏻
@CharlieDale09: Might make a great no. 2 and a great coach but we need a big personality to save us now. Wish Ian good luck 🤝
@andylynch89: That’s what you get for talking to them whilst we were in a play off campaign you slimy little weasel. Cheers for the compo boys, we’re on to bigger and better things, up the fucking Notts! 🖤🤍
@tomhwilliams23: A real shame for Burchnall. A likeable guy but the step up was clearly too big. I still feel he’s an #EFL standard manager, but he needs to be managing a team at the top end of a division to truly implement his style
@DylanFGRbanks: Bit late now, should of done it two months ago
@EmJH17: I’m sure IB is a decent bloke but he was out of his depth in League 1. Onwards & upwards #WeAreFGR
@adam1862_: Cheers for paying for Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott lads 😂😂😂
@laura_a_bu: The right decision – let’s just hope it’s not too late. Regardless of his managerial ability and the fact he clearly wasn’t the right fit for us, wishing Ian all the best.
— Alfie (@FGR_Alfie) January 25, 2023
— Tom (@tomd0312) January 25, 2023
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