Bristol Rovers are still looking for a new manager to replace Joey Barton in the Memorial Stadium dugout, with two more candidates ruled out.
After three games without a win, the Gas hierarchy fired the controversial Barton on October 26, which is now more than three weeks ago.
Rovers have been without a manager for over two and a half years, so getting the next one right is critical. This is the first appointment under new chairman Hussain AlSaaed, who completed a majority takeover of the company that owns the Pirates in August.
According to the Bristol Post, Garry Monk and Ian Holloway emerged as early potential candidates for the managerial position.
The Rovers hierarchy had initially spoken with former Bristol City manager Dean Holden, while ex-St. Johnstone manager Callum Davidson has also been mentioned.
According to a recent Bristol Live report, Bristol Rovers are set to hold talks with Matt Taylor, who was fired by Rotherham United and could be set for a quick return to management.
Andy Mangan, who was Barton’s assistant at both Rovers and Fleetwood Town, is unbeaten in five games as caretaker manager, with two wins and a draw in League One to move them up to ninth in the table.
Mangan has stated his desire to take on the job on a full-time basis, but the competition is fierce, with many names from outside the club also linked to the position.
Neil Lennon and Karl Robinson are two recent names that Rovers want to speak with.
According to Sunday Mirror Sports Editor Darren Witcoop, the former Celtic manager has been mentioned in discussions about Barton’s replacement, and the former Oxford United manager is also being considered by the Gas.
Robinson is said to have recently turned down the vacant Bradford City manager’s job because he has no desire to manage below League One. His most recent position was as Sam Allardyce’s assistant at Leeds United. Robinson, on the other hand, has a wealth of experience with clubs such as MK Dons, Charlton Athletic, and Oxford.
In a more recent update, Witcoop stated, “As it stands, Neil Lennon is no longer under consideration for the Bristol Rovers manager’s job, and Karl Robinson is also out of the running.” Talks with candidates are ongoing, but the longer it goes on, the more attractive Andy Mangan becomes.”
He went on to say that names like Taylor and Monk are still being considered, and that Mangan is not a lock.
Monk has been out of work for some time, with Taylor perhaps the most obvious candidate, having demonstrated adaptability in his playing style with Exeter City while also being a manager with significant EFL experience.
He had Exeter playing attractive, free-flowing football in League Two, but with Rotherham in the Championship, he had to demonstrate other sides to his coaching credentials by employing a more pragmatic style.
The Gas squad is currently brimming with attacking flair, and he could be the wise choice to get them back to playing the appealing brand of football that fans crave. Mangan has done well, but experience could tip the scales in Taylor’s favor.
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