Realistic next steps on the management front

Looking at when Paul Warne was sacked, the length of his contract at Derby, and knowing a little bit about how these things work, I'm 95% sure that Paul Warne won't be looking for a new job until the summer. Indeed, I would assume that it would actually make no financial sense for him to take any job at our level right now, as he would very probably forfeit his right to compensation from Derby.

Assuming this is correct, and I'm quite confident that it is, we should still be handing Darrell Clarke his P45 before the next game. The season is pretty much over as far as promotion goes, but barring an absolute catastrophe, we're not realistically likely to be anywhere near relegation.

Give the job to Hourihane until the end of the season, and approach Warne immediately to take over in the summer. It's probably a bit soon for Hourihane to be jumping into management, but he's not got much to lose right now. Do well and he'll be Warne's assistant or even in the running for the position full-time if he does well and Warne turns us down. If Warne does decide to come then Conor will remain on the coaching staff but with his stock considerably higher.

In any case, the first priority is to get rid of Clarke. I've given him the benefit of the doubt so far, but the number of defeats from winning positions is absolutely criminal. The squad might be unbalanced, but it's nowhere near as bad as some people make out. Time to get shut of the manager..

 

Whilst I agree in principle, if the season really is looking like a dead rubber, I think the board will wait until we have no mathematical chance of making the playoffs. Bet you there’s a break clause in the contract if we don’t make top 6. The only two scenarios I see that will contradict this is if the board really wants top 6 and acts immediately, or the early bird sales are dire enough that they have to change even though we are mathematically able to make the playoffs.

 

Lee Bell from Crewe is getable or would be a bit of a stretch but Ben Wilkinson from Man City u21 if he's interested in going full pros yet very highly rated young coach

Xavi, Mancini and Zidane all available too, Martin Jol

 

Paul Warne got slated at both Derby and Rotherham for his boring football.

 

We sacked Collins who had done far more of us that Clarkes “achieved” thus far.

 

With a far, far better team.

Not particularly defending Clarke by the way.

 

players aside Clarkes not done owt to make me think he’s an astute manager/head coach either though he’s got no tactical awareness and any decent coach gets a better set of results than what he’s got of late.

 

If Clarke goes I'd be happy for him to take his 3 mates with him.

 

I agree.

 

Suspect finance will play a big part in all of this.

And who’s to say Hourihane will want to step up?

Devaney has more experience than all the other coaches - despite not turning anything around when he has.

 

Surely you don’t want Devaney though mate?

 

Personally don't agree with the Collins had a far far better team either.

Collins had some areas that were better (LWB, ST) but Clarke has had areas that are better than what Collins had to endure. Overall id say the squads each had are about even.

L1 was less tough last season which helped Collins for sure. But I think people are harshly judging the squad based on the dross we are seeing from it each week, which is largely down to very poor coaching.

 

I would sack Sormaz, but keep Clarke until at least the end of the season.
Let Clarke have free rein over tactics & formation. See if he can find a winning formula, or at least something better with the players at his disposal.
In the meantime prepare Hourihane for next in line.

Finding a better director of football or whatever you want to call it will be a more important job. Someone with experience, Danny Wilson maybe? His last stint with us saw him oversee the spreadsheet model early on, he laid the groundwork for that 2016 promotion side. He was just past it on the management front.

 

I genuinely believe this is an absolute fallacy. DKD is arguably as good as McAtee. Roberts is the experienced defender we were crying out for last season, and before his injury was excellent. Earl has overall been much better this season than last. Cole was absolutely ineffective after Christmas last season. Jon Russell is arguably better than Herbie Kane. We're missing Jordan Williams hugely, but I honestly don't think this season's squad is massively worse. They're just massively disorganised.

 

Fully agree.

DKD is arguably an upgrade over McAtee too. Better pedigree than him prior to signing. More goals this season than McAtee has (in a worse team), and on course to get more than McAtee did for us last season.

This idea that Collins had a great squad is nonsense in my opinion.

 

Russell better than Kane? I forgot he was on the pitch second half.

 

Devaney has had his chance(s) and backed down from the responsibility of first team coach he’s part of the problem not the answer

 

So, this thread started with the word realistic then degenerated into a discussion about people who will not be coming anywhere near this club now or ever..Why?..because this board will only ever appoint someone who they can manipulate and dictate to, this includes tactics, recruitment, and formations. We sacked Collins, appointed Clarke and what changed?...nothing. Do you really not believe that Clarke has told them he needs a striker, their response was to sell the goalkeeper and bring a loan in.
People who say the board put money in are correct but while they appoint puppet Managers who dance to their tune the likes of us are pssing in the wind. If you want to know if a candidate for Clarke's job would be appointed ask yourself this question. Does that candidate have an opinion and expect to run the team his way....then answer yourself.

 

I wouldn't want hourihane anywhere near the managers job. Has zero experience and hasn't exactly done a good job as coach since showing he had zero commitment to the job he signed up for a few months ago