'We haven't spoken to anyone' - Bristol City CEO delivers key update in search for a new manager The Robins have received applications "from across the globe" as they search for a successor to Lee Johnson Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton has revealed the club will take their time in appointing a new manager, having been "inundated" with applications in the wake of Lee Johnson's dismissal on Saturday. Speaking to Robins TV before the kick-off of City's Championship match against Hull City, Ashton admitted that no direct contact has been made with any candidates and the club will conduct a full and thorough interview process. Bristol City are looking for their first permanent boss since February 2016 after Johnson's sacking and with Dean Holden in caretaker charge of the team for the foreseeable future, will be patient in their approach. "I've been involved in this process on a number of occasions in my career and it is a challenge, let's be clear," Ashton said. "When I left the ground here on Saturday night, having spoken to Lee, Dean (Holden), staff, players, there were a number of people calling, almost offering their condolences because they were sad to see we made the change. "But at the same time, the phone starts with coaches, managers, people representing those coaches and managers who see Bristol City as a fantastic opportunity, a fantastic job and a club that has real potential to get to the Premier League. "We have been inundated with applicants - internationally, nationally; coaches, managers from right across the globe. "So what we will do right now is pull together that list. We've had conversations with the owners with the type of individual that we're looking for and from that list we will start to interview and we will move through an interview process and find the right person for this job." Chris Hughton, Mick MacCarthy and Paul Cook of Wigan Athletic are some of the managers who have reportedly declared an interest, with claims that Swansea's Steve Cooper and Lee Bowyer of Charlton are also on a shortlist. Bristol Live understands that's City's preference is for a coach, more than a old-style manager, who can work directly in player development, and not demand total control over other aspects of the club. Former Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle manager Hughton has remained clear bookmakers' favourite for the last 48 hours, and the overwhelming pick of supporters, but Ashton insists the interview process is yet to begin. "I've seen and I'm told that there's a lot of names linked with the job in the media. But what I would say to our supporters, and I think it's important that they hear it from me, is that right now we haven't spoken to anyone," Ashton added. "When we appoint, the first people to hear our appointment, as soon as we possibly can, will be the fans. And they'll hear that directly from the football club. "While I can understand this is a difficult time for many people, the football club is in good shape. Dean is in charge, we have fantastic owners, a strong board. We've made a very difficult decision to change a manager who served us well. "But now we move on. It's a steady ship and we will look to the future and to the best of our ability appoint the right person moving forward." https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/we-havent-spoken-anyone-bristol-4308024
I'd rather they took a little time to get the best possible candidate installed rather than appoint someone on a knee jerk reaction. But ideally, we want someone on board who can see the team in competitive action even if it's only for the last couple of games, and the final game of the season is only 13 days away.
Whoever we get they're going to manage an overrated squad that Johnson has left City with : 1st choice keeper who blows hot and cold. Does anyone know our best RB. Kalas is half the player from last year. Baker can defend but can't pass and injury prone. DaSilva is lightweight. As for a midfield - we don't have ONE. Weiman's a good runner. Fammy is decent but better in our box. Afobe's won't be here next season. Finally, Naki Wells might be OK with a decent manager. He'd forgotten how to score under Johnson. Cheers Junior after 4 years and spending zillions we're heading south. One thing is for certain the incoming manager won't have nothing like the monies afforded Junior. The new man's on a hiding to nothing.
Funny how we can both look at the same situation and see things totally differently! - We have been transformed into an established Championship side, which the bookies have finally stopped tipping as favourites for the drop (although that may change back, now LJ has gone - depending on who is appointed) - We're in the longest continuous run in the second tier for nearly 40 years - The EXPECTATION of our fans now is that we reach the Playoffs and anything less is an unacceptable failure (just 6 years ago it was an unlikely fantasy) - Until the Covid lockdown we averaged over 20k fans per game at Ashton Gate - the highest since seating was introduced - We are spending the money that we've EARNED through higher gates, merchandise sales, lucrative sponsorship and above all; shrewd dealings in the transfer market - if anyone knows any different then please pass the evidence to FIFA Fair Play, because they are clearly unaware of it...…. Back to the topic and leaving the LJ debate aside for a moment; it's THIS statement that worries me, with respect to landing a decent, proven manager: ' City's preference is for a coach, more than a old-style manager, who can work directly in player development, and not demand total control over other aspects of the club' I think this will put a lot of the 'old guard' off taking the job, leaving us with a pool of young unproven managers trying to break into the big time, who would be happy to leave the acquisition and disposal of players to Mark Ashton and the board (Does that remind you of anyone?)
That can be framed as a positive and can describe some of the greatest coaches in the world or coaches at humbler clubs doing better than BCFC
Definitely don't see the squad as overrated myself. Bloated, misused and imbalanced for sure. But there's a hell of a lot of potential there and I honestly think the right manager could get us promoted with few additions. Let's not forget many players will step up for certain managers. If Warnock or someone came in (not that he'd be the right choice), I've no doubt a few players would suddenly start playing better, it's just what happens. That suggests to me that for the most part, recruitment has been pretty good. We're certainly going for the right type of player, but what we seem to have done is either buy everything that comes up even if we don't need it, or buy players and misuse them completely (Szmodics, Adelakun, Eisa, even Walsh and briefly Afobe come to mind). As it stands, at centre back, we have Nathan Baker, Tomas Kalas, Ashley Williams, Filip Benkovic, Taylor Moore, Bailey Wright, arguably Zak Vyner too. That's complete and utter overkill if we plan to actually have a pathway, and god knows what wages some of them are on. If I was a good manager (and Football Manager 2020 tells me I am ), I'd be extremely optimistic coming into a club like this with the options we have, but we just have too many. Some of what we have in the squad have the potential to be good Premier League players, not just promotion-winning Championship players.
Stop letting facts get in the way of Redprintt’s personal hatred of the Johnson family, he won’t see it. You cannot educate Pork!!
Bet with all the transfers going out, that he didn't lose the club that much at all.....so all a bit "pie in the sky" comment............Normal RP!!!
He spent zillions and you think after 4 years Junior has left City with a good squad. Deluded. Name 1 good midfielder!
Korey Smith, cheers Cotts. Patterson blows hot and cold, and never a regular. Nagy and O'Dowda are jokes. And have you conveniently forgotten your recent posts of our midfield. While you're at it, who's our best keeper? The one we paid millions for or the free transfer.
I didn't say any of our midfield weren't any good....I said we needed a creative midfielder and leader on the pitch.. I think both keepers are ok.....you're the one that wanted rid of Fielding, who's shot stopping was probably better than the current pair.. I don't mind Bentley, Keepers are funny animals, rely on confidence....I think his deteriorated!! I don't think the keepers are our main issue at present.. By the way..The price tag is immaterial for all sorts of reasons...in or out of contract etc.....Surely the wages would be more of an indication who the manager thinks is best.... Next? NB. Oh we did have Josh, but he went for ZILLIONS!!
Look, I do think that LJ had a decent squad of players... and as had for a few years, but each season, losing key players doesn't help the cause...Bringing in new players and getting them to gel on the day was the problem for him....for whatever reason.. Like I said, for me, the missing link was that out and out creative midfielder, to really give the likes of Wells etc those opportunities.....I was really hoping that Palmer would have been that player....looked initially a player with a bit of flair and skill...but seems like he needs really good players around him to make him shine.. I do actually think, we are 2 or 3 players away from being a really decent side.....hopefully the next coach/manager puts it right.. RP, how ever much you dislike LJ.....he wasn't a bad coach for us...
I’ve said before; I’m not sure how much of a ‘say’ LJ actually had on player purchases or sales. I can’t imagine he’d opt to shed 3 of his his captains in 2 seasons. I think Ashton is the man doing the buying and selling. LJ just had to work with what he was given. So will the new Head Coach - whoever he might be.
We don't have a 'first 14'. We have, in the main, Jack's of all trades. It was made worse by constant changes of players and set ups, a major criticism of LJ. I'm very much old school and admire Sheff Utd, Wolves - even Liverpool who play almost the same 11 and system all the time. For me the new man, if he has any chance with the squad he inherits, should start playing with the same players in a settled system. You never know we might see some of the players that I knock might just turn into a good side. I certainly hope so.
Don't normally change a winning side unless through suspension or injury...Maybe and I'm only saying maybe, we didn't have the right players filling in when that happened and so, rather than make the one change, LJ would change the system around to fit..(you would call that tinkering). I don't care who the manager is that comes in......he will need to have cover, (similar standard) if he wants a settled system......Just my view!!
You do realise he’s sat there in his dirty pants smirking to himself with all the bites he’s got today?