The top six favourites to become next Bristol City manager has been revealed according to bookmakers Sky Bet following Tuesday’s sacking.
The Robins sacked their head coach Dean Holden after being brushed aside by Reading for a fifth consecutive league defeat.
The Royals comfortably won 2-0 against a Bristol City side who were thumped 6-0 by Watford on Saturday and were again outclassed and lucky to only be two goals behind at the break.
Lucas Joao put his side ahead on the 42nd minute, with great control and a clever finish to net his 20th goal of the season, before centre-back Michael Morrison made it 2-0 with a deflected strike.
Bristol City currently sit 13th in the Championship table, 11 points above the relegation zone and seven points off the play-off places.
After improving in the second half, they still couldn’t find a goal back, ending the match with just one attempt on target. Bleak.
Dean Holden has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
Statement:
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) February 16, 2021
CLUB STATEMENT:
Dean Holden has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
Following a sixth successive defeat, the Bristol City Board have decided that a change of Head Coach is necessary.
Assistant Head Coaches Paul Simpson and Keith Downing will take charge of training until further notice.
The club would like to thank Dean for his service to the club over the years and we wish him well for the future.
There will be no further comment at this stage.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Right then, so who are the top six favourites to be appointed as the new Bristol City manager? Take a look below…
6) NIGEL ADKINS
Nigel Adkins has been out of a job since June 2019 after he decided against renewing his contract at Hull City, stating that his and the club’s futures were “not aligned.”
In his first full season in charge, Adkins led the club from 19th to a comfortable 13th place finish in the Championship table, winning 17 of their 46 games.
He has also managed Sheffield United, Reading, Southampton, Scunthorpe United, and Bangor City and had time with the latter club, Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers as a player.
HIS MANAGERIAL HONOURS:
Scunthorpe United
- League One winners: 2006–07
- League One play-offs: 2009
Southampton
- League One runner-up: 2010–11
- Championship runner-up: 2011–12
Sky Bet odds: 12/1
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5) JOHN TERRY
John Terry is currently number two to Dean Smith at Aston Villa and had been previously linked with jobs at Bournemouth, Watford, Bristol City and Derby County.
Though it’s been confirmed that there have been no approaches for the ex-Chelsea player, according to Smith, with pundits urging Terry to get his first spell as a first team manager.
Sky Bet odds: 12/1
4) DANNY COWLEY
Cowley was most recently was sacked by Huddersfield Town, despite beating second-place West Brom in his last game in charge, which all-but-confirmed the club’s survival.
It’s understood that owner Phil Hodgkinson wanted total control over transfers — but his manager was not willing to work that way.
Danny first grabbed the attention of the country when he and his brother took Lincoln City all the way to the FA Cup Quarter Finals in 2017, causing shocks against Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley along the way.
The Imps finished the 2016/17 season crowned champions of the National League and then in the 2017/18 season finished 7th, claiming a playoff place in their first season back in the Football League and also won the EFL Trophy at Wembley.
In the 2018/19 season, Danny and Nicky Cowley’s side finished top of the League Two table and won promotion to League One.
Danny Cowley left League One high flyers Lincoln to join the Championship strugglers in September, who at the time were 23rd in the table having failed to win any of their first six matches.
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Sky Bet odds: 10/1
3) EDDIE HOWE
Eddie Howe has been linked with many clubs for the manager’s position for however long he stays unemployed.
The 42-year-old guided the Cherries to more than 450 games across two spells spanning more than a decade but stepped down this summer following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Their five-year stay in the top flight ended despite a 3-1 win at Everton on the final day of the season.
Howe also made more than 300 appearances as a player in the famous red and black stripes.
Howe was initially appointed AFC Bournemouth caretaker manager in December 2008, with the club sitting on -17 points at the bottom of the Football League.
Against all the odds he secured their safety and followed it with promotion from League Two the following season.
After a brief spell in charge of Burnley, a masterstroke from owner Maxim Demin bought Howe back to Dorset, and he then proceeded to achieve two further promotions in three seasons, leading the Cherries to the Premier League, where they remained for five years.
Sky Bet odds: 8/1
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2) ALEX NEIL
Alex Neil is currently manager of Preston North End, and has been ever since he was appointed back in 2017, replacing Simon Grayson.
He guided them to a 7th place finish in his first season in charge at Deepdale, however endured a tough 18/19 season, ending up in 14th, though had a more impressive season just gone, finishing 9th.
He has been linked with many jobs during his reign, and was most recently favourite for the Bristol City vacancy.
Sky Bet odds: 7/1
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1) PAUL COOK
Paul Cook is currently out of work having departed from Wigan Athletic who are in administration.
In August 2020, the Latic’s relegation to League One was confirmed due to the points deduction on the final day, despite a cracking run of form, subsequently saw the resignation of the manager.
Cook has previously managed Portsmouth, Chesterfield, Accrington, Sligo and Southport – winning the League One title with Wigan in 2017/18, the League Two title with Pompey in 2016/17 and with Chesterfield in 2013/14.
Sky Bet odds: 4/1
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Prior to the top six favourites to become next Bristol City manager being revealed, fans reacted on the sacking, see what they said…
@MikeyCobban: All the very best in the future, Deano.
@CharlieHorowicz: Please remember that this man is a very very honorable & genuine bloke. Never made excuses, always gave everything he had and genuinely cared. I am gutted it didn’t work out but not surprised. Thank you Deano and I hope you get a chance elsewhere.
@SamDavey22: John Terry can fuck right off by the way don’t come near my fucking club #BristolCity
@Simon_Perry3: Any Bristol City fan thinking that Lampard is the right person, needs there head looked at. The blokes tactically inept. Bigger problems for City atm though stemming from the top #Ashtonout #bristolcity
@19Ryan92: Break the bank. Eddie Howe or Frank Lampard long term, Paul Cook still an option. Nigel Pearson until the end of the season if needs be…… #BristolCity
@bristolcity2020: Shame about Dean Holden but ultimately was a cheap option yet again. Next appointment is huge as it determine where the club really wants to be. #BristolCity
@J_D_Derham: Can Mark Ashton also be relieved of his duties?
@mounts25: Next appointment has to be a big name not the cheapest, as we will be in the same situation next year
@sjllilley: Can the board learn the lesson that promoting from within doesn’t always work.Its failed several times recently going back to Brian Tinnion. Let’s appoint someone who will keep us in this division this season and challenge for promotion next year. Hughton was a missed opportunity
@leahbcfc: All the best Deano, thanks for your passion and love for the club
@crispfan99: Ashton out. Downsy out. Fix the hand driers. Fix the dolman speakers. Entertain us.
@andre_sami_: gutted for him. a very nice guy in general but it was the right decision, with his experience we were definitely going nowhere thanks to that clueless CEO at the club. wishing him all the best in the future.
@BristolOli: Massive thankyou from Me Dean for your time & Effort whilst as head Coach.Unfortunately you were let down on the pitch by a few that you trusted and by one who can’t be trusted & you should walk away knowing you gave 💯 percent every minute in the job and for that I am grateful
@bcfcgeorge_: All the best Deano, very nice man but way out of his depth. Have to feel for him but he should of never of got the job in the first place. Sack Mark Ashton now or nothing will change.
@LewisBCFC17: Thanks for everything Dean good luck with your future endeavours.
@JimboLParsons: Thanks for your Service Deano! Always loved the passion you had and showed. Unfortunately your time was up. We didn’t even get to see a game with him in charge
@CliftonReds: Thanks for your efforts, Dean. I have no doubt you gave it your all during your time here, and for that you have our respect. You do genuinely seem like a great bloke. ♥️ Fully aware that club circumstances and fortune both worked against you. Best of luck for the future 👍
@mjarrett81: Feel for the guy, as was set up to fail from the start. It was the time to bring in an experienced manager to kick on towards the Premier League and instead we’ve gone backwards and undone alot of hardwork. Please get it right this time, experience manager surely!!
@bigalbcfc: Was set up to fail from the start. Love you deano.
@eamer: Looking forward to the club admitting, “we got it wrong”…
@TheRealBennett: Thank you Dean, the fault is in the clowns above you. The whole club needs an overhaul, all the best for the future.
@kpcider: Best get it right this time you jokers!
@mudefordmadness: Need to appoint Eddie Howe
@AIJB91: ASHTON OUT. NO EXCUSES. He can’t be trusted to employ another head coach/manager.
@citylad_09: Bit late lads
@BCFCJordan: What a waste of over half a season.
@TheExiledRobin: Thanks for all your effort and passion for the job over the last few years, @deanholdenuk
— Rob Martin (@RynoRob) February 16, 2021
Cheers Deano x pic.twitter.com/04vACInIvm
— BS3 Talk (@BS3Talk) February 16, 2021
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