Bristol City is searching for a new manager in the wake of Nigel Pearson’s abrupt resignation.
After the Robins’ 2-0 loss to Cardiff City on Sunday, Pearson, sixty years old, left Ashton Gate. Pearson had led the team for just over twenty-five years.
In interim manager Curtis Fleming guided his team to a 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday at home, with Rob Dickie’s goal in the second half securing all three points.
Now, four points outside of the play-off spots in the Championship standings, City is ranked eleventh.
According to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, the Robins are considering John Eustace, Gary Rowett, and Nathan Jones to replace Pearson, while Oxford United manager Liam Manning is also being considered.
According to ITV journalist Ross Arnott, another name in the running is former Derby County, Chelsea, and Everton manager Frank Lampard.
Lampard has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in May after a disappointing stint as caretaker manager in which he won one game, drew two, and lost eight.
Morrison chastised the Robins for sacking Pearson when they were only a few points away from the play-offs.
“When we saw it, that he (Pearson) had been sacked, I was really surprised,” Morrison said on Sky Sports.
“I understand that the chairman is ambitious and that they have spent money, but they were not a million miles away.”
“I was really surprised that Pearson lost his job.”
When asked about Lampard’s potential appointment, Morrison said, “It could turn out to be a good move.”
“Frank did a good job when he went to Derby; I know they lost in the play-off final, but he did go and do a good job.”
“You know what some of these clubs want? They want big names to come to their football club.”
“They do like big names; it’s pure Hollywood.”
“I’m looking at other names like John Eustace, who did a fantastic job at Birmingham City, I know (Liam) Manning is doing a fantastic job at Oxford right now, Curtis Fleming is already there, and John Terry is also on the list.”
“It does look like it will be between Frank Lampard and John Eustace.”
Merson agreed with Morrison, and he believes that the appointment of Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City influenced the owners’ thinking.
“All you’ve got is a lorry load of young kids, Nigel was doing a great job and this is what happens,” he said.
“Suddenly, the owner says, ‘look at Birmingham, everyone’s mentioning Birmingham now, Wayne Rooney’s the manager, nobody ever mentions Bristol City, now I’ll go and get Frank Lampard and there’ll be headlines.'”
“We talk about Birmingham now, I’m looking at Birmingham’s results, I never looked at Birmingham’s results, now I’m looking because Wayne Rooney’s the manager.”
Lampard would be a high-risk signing for the Robins.
While he has had some success as a manager, including leading Derby to the play-off final, guiding Chelsea to a top four finish, and keeping Everton in the Premier League, there is a sense that he has yet to prove himself as a manager.
If City are looking to sign a big name, Rooney’s appointment at Birmingham should serve as a wake-up call to the board, with Rooney picking up just one point in his first four games in charge at St Andrew’s.
Lampard deserves another chance as a manager, but he may be too risky for the Robins at this point.
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