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Tranmere boss holds talks with Scottish club

Reports have started to emerge on this weekend, suggesting that Tranmere Rovers boss Micky Mellon holds talks with a Scottish club.

He could be close to ending his reign as manager of the Super White Army after holding talks with new Championship title winners Dundee United, just months after Tranmere had relegation to League Two confirmed.

Rumours have been building that Mellon, who has won two promotions with Tranmere, was in line for the hot seat at Tannadice and the Globe now understands that the 48-year-old held talks with them on Thursday and is their preferred candidate.

Any deal to take Mellon and his assistant Mike Jackson north of the border would involve a compensation payment to Rovers, the outcome of which any possible deal is likely to hinge on.

Mellon signed a new deal with the Prenton Park club in January 2019. His current deal is due to expire in May 2021.

The Scot has been in charge of Tranmere, a club he also played for, since 2016, and have guided them out of the National League and into League One.

Former United keeper Steve Banks, who played with Mellon at Blackpool and Tranmere, says he’s perfect for Tannadice.

He said: “Micky and I go back a long way. We still speak every couple of weeks.

“If he gets the United job, I have no doubts he would be a massive hit. His impact would be there for all to see.

“As a player at Blackpool, he was one who gave his all. He was tenacious and honest as the day is long.

“When I worked with him at Tranmere for those six months, he was a real players’ manager.

“He praised them when things were going well but, at the same time, if he felt they could do better he wasn’t slow in telling them.

“Personally, I think he’d be an ideal appointment. They wouldn’t regret taking him back to Scotland.”

Banks reckons Mellon would jump at the opportunity to move back north of the border.

He added: “You can still hear his Scottish accent on the training ground – he certainly gets his message across!

“He has a good knowledge of the Scottish game and is very meticulous.

“Micky is someone who has a big effect on people he works with. I’ll keep in touch with him for the rest of my life.”

It has been almost a fortnight ago since Robbie Neilson left the club and sporting director Tony Asghar has spoken to 20 possible candidates already.

But Mellon has shot to the top of the pile, and should United be able to reach an agreement with Tranmere over compensation, he’s on course to be named their new gaffer.

MICKY MELLON’S CAREER:

Senior playing career
1989–1993 – Bristol City – 35 games (1 goal)
1991–1992 → Cork City (loan) – 11 games (3 goals)
1993–1994 – West Bromwich Albion – 45 games (6 goals)
1994–1997 – Blackpool – 125 games (14 goals)
1997–1999 – Tranmere Rovers – 57 games (3 goals)
1999–2001 – Burnley – 85 games (5 goals)
2001 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) – 1 games (0 goals)
2001–2004 – Tranmere Rovers – 115 games (3 goals)
2004–2005 – Kidderminster Harriers
2005 – Witton Albion
2005–2006 – Lancaster City
Total – 490 games (35 goals)

Mangerial stats
Fleetwood Town – 27 Sep 2008 until 1 Dec 2012 – 225 games, 116 wins, 58 draws, 51 defeats, 51.56 % won
Barnsley (caretaker) – 30 Nov 2013 until 17 Dec 2013 – 3 games, 1 win, 1 draw, 1 defeat, 33.33 % won
Shrewsbury Town – 12 May 2014 until 6 Oct 2016 – 125 games, 53 wins, 25 draws, 47 defeats, 42.40 % won
Tranmere Rovers – 6 Oct 2016 until Present – 199 games, 92 wins, 45 draws, 62 defeats, 46.23 % won
Total – 550 games, 260 wins, 129 draws, 161 defeats, 47.27 % won

Honours as Manager

Fleetwood Town
Conference Premier (1): 2011–12
Conference North Playoff Winners (1): 2009–10

Shrewsbury Town
League Two Runners-Up (1): 2014–15

Tranmere Rovers
League Two Playoff Winners (1): 2018–19
National League Playoff Winners (1): 2017–18

We round-up how fans reacted as they learn that the Tranmere boss could be set to depart after he holds talks with the Scottish club…

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