Worrying update emerges over condition of Shrewsbury manager

A worrying update emerges over the condition of Shrewsbury Town manager Steve Cotterill who has been in hospital this month.

It was on the 15th of January 2020 that the League One outfit confirmed that he wouldn’t be in the dugout for their upcoming matches.

This was because he is recovering from having Covid following a positive test result – and now Aaron Wilbraham and David Longwell will be taking charge of first team duties until Steve’s return.

Club Statement: Steve Cotterill. #Salop

— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsweb) January 15, 2021

Shrewsbury added in a statement: “All at Shrewsbury Town would like to wish Steve well in his recovery and the Club asks that his privacy is respected during this time.

:With the Club being so badly affected by the new strain of Covid-19, with some of the staff and players suffering serious effects of the virus, we urge all in our local community to follow the Government guidance.”

Well a few days on and it’s revealed that he is still in hospital but recovering after a period in intensive care between Friday and Sunday.

He will be watching Tuesday’s FA Cup game at Southampton from his hospital bed in Bristol with assistant-manager Aaron Wilbraham holding the reins for that tie.

STEVE COTTERILL COVID UPDATE: The #Shrewsbury manager is still in hospital but recovering after a period in intensive care. He’ll be watching tomorrow’s FA Cup game at Southampton from his hospital bed. Asst-manager Aaron Wilbraham holding the reins. @BBCShropshire #Salop #Shrews

— BBC Shropshire Sport (@BBCShropSport) January 18, 2021

Wilbraham and skipper Ollie Norburn said this morning that the manager’s presence has been missed as the League One side attempt to prepare for an underdog clash without their leader.

“It’s such a strange atmosphere without him, he’s the energy around the place, everyone who knows him knows he’s a ball of energy bouncing around. We’ve definitely missed him,” said Wilbraham, who played under Cotterill at Bristol City.

“But he has been really poorly with it for the last two weeks. He was actually in intensive care over the weekend, he’s had a really bad case of Covid.

“It got quite worrying at some points. We’ve all been wishing him well. I know him as a man and person and I know if anyone was going to take a bad case of Covid out of all of us he’d be the one stood at the front taking it for the team, players and staff. That sums him up as a person.

“It’s been quite worrying. I’ve spoken with him in the last couple of days and I can tell he’s getting better, his voice is getting better, he’s starting to crack a couple of jokes, telling me to tell the boys he’ll be watching from his hospital bed so they better be at it!

“So I know he’s improving now, it’s a bit of relief for everyone. It’s been a crazy time.

“A lot of the players have been messaging because I’ve been keeping them in touch and it has lifted them (his recovery), everyone is really together as we have been since the gaffer took over.

“He is on the mend and improving, so it’s definitely good signs after a worrying couple of weeks.”

Salop have been back in training since Friday after 10 days off due to a a big outbreak of the virus that saw around 20 positive cases within the squad and staff.

There is one player still isolating and will be missing for the FA Cup clash, while goalkeeper coach Brian Jensen and fitness coach Andy Johnson have not been able to return to training.

Fans reacted as the worrying update emerges over the condition of the Shrewsbury manager…

@jbcfc__: Oh wow. Good to hear he’s recovering

@GaryBoulton24: Wishing you a speedy recovery Steve

@HoddellMelvyn: And yet some people still think Covid is a hoax, speedy recovery Cott’s

@AndySTFC79: Wishing you a speedy recovery SC and looking forward to having you back.

@Nelza82: Blimey, wishing him a full and speedy recovery from a Cobblers fan.

@claireroberts01: Thoughts with Steve, so glad to hear that he is recovering, take it easy and look after yourself

@_awesome_wells: After testing positive over Christmas and barely showing any symptoms, I count my lucky stars every day about how lucky I was. Get well soon gaffer

@FollowTheTown1: As if we needed it another reminder of how rampant this virus is and the damage it can do. Take care everybody.

@Jak_Collier: Best wishes Steve! Get well soon! KRO

@pacificpaddy: Get well soon SC. I home this helps to remind people that it’s not a disease which only hits the over 80s and infirm. ICUs are full of previously fit and healthy people this time.

@theshrew88: Get well soon SC let’s hope that the lads can give him something to smile about tomorrow while he watches from his hospital bed

@Lemon__Soul: How scary. Hope he’s on the mend.

@1280sue: Sending best wishes for a speedy recovery, so pleased he is at least back home. get well soon Steve.

@TvShrewsbury: Get well soon Steve, sometimes things are more important than football.

@TheDanHough: Covid is serious, serious shit. Treat it as such. C’mon gaffer, we’re with you, fella.

@TWootton01: Puts everything into perspective. Best wishes to Steve, good luck to Aaron in charge also, very tough situation so early on in his coaching career.