Top Three Managerial Candidates for Bristol City Job It was July 4th and Lee Johnson cut a sad-looking figure as he stood on the touchline at Ashton Gate. It was to be the last time that the former midfielder turned manager would manage his Bristol City side again. Following the result – a 1-0 loss to play-off chasing Severnside rivals Cardiff City – he was relieved of his duties after four years in charge at the club. It was only in 2019 that he signed a new deal at the club, one that should have seen Johnson stay on with the Robins until 2023. However, after a run of just one win in their last ten, the City board decided it was time to put an end to his stint at the club. Top Three Candidates for the Bristol City Job Search is On When Johnson took over, Bristol City were a relegation-threatened club. He managed to turn their fortunes around and turn them into a side battling at the right end of the table. It looked like they could be challenging for a top-six spot again this campaign, only for their bid to fall apart since the start of the season again following lockdown. Now, the search is on to find a suitable replacement and one who can finally turn the Championship side into a team that can break into the top six and launch a serious bid for promotion. The Candidates 1. Chris Hughton Last Club Managed – Brighton & Hove Albion Chris Hughton is the overwhelming favourite to take over at Bristol City. The 61-year old has a history of managing in the Championship and is, therefore, more than capable at this level and has the honours to prove it. In his last job, he took Brighton into the Premier League as runners-up. It was the first time in the club’s history that they had been in the top-flight and not only did he take them there, but he kept them safe and secure in the top flight for two seasons. It’s not the only time he’s led a team to promotion either. To prove he’s no fluke, he also led Newcastle United to the Championship title in the 2009/10 season. Along the way, he also received the Football League Championship LMA Manager of the Year award, an accolade he additionally was given during his stint at Brighton. How about experience of managing a team into the play-offs too? It’s an area Bristol City will be keen to ensure their next manager is skilled at, and Hughton has it. The former player took charge at Birmingham City and led them into the top six, where they were ultimately beaten in the play-offs by Blackpool in the 2011/12 campaign. Hughton has, therefore, proved that he can crack it in the Championship but he’s also proved to be quite adept at keeping teams out of relegation trouble in the Premier League. At Norwich City, he kept them safe from relegation during his time at the Canaries and while at Brighton, he managed to steady the ship and take them to respectable positions. Even for Newcastle, he took them up to ninth in the league before his untimely sacking. If Bristol City do decide to go with Hughton, it could prove to be a clever appointment and a sensible one. Instead of taking a risk with a manager unproven at this level, the Robins could turn to Hughton, a proven winner and promotion-chaser at Championship level. Although he might not get the pulses entirely racing in terms of a ‘glamour appointment’ like the next manager, he would be a solid piece of recruitment. 2. Steven Gerrard Current Club – Rangers It would be quite a statement of intent, wouldn’t it? Steven Gerrard, although having never managed in the second tier of English football, is certainly an appointment that would catch the eye and get people talking about Bristol City. It was the same with Frank Lampard at Derby County. Having taken the risk to appoint the former Chelsea man despite no experience, the midfielder proved that his wealth of experience at Stamford Bridge had carried over into his managerial capabilities. He took the Rams into the play-offs, where they were unfortunate to miss out on promotion back into the top tier. He was rewarded with a move back to Chelsea as manager, where is currently impressing with his style of play and emphasis on youth and he has taken the Blues to (currently) a place in the top four. Gerrard could be a similar risk that would pay off, although arguably not even as big a risk as Lampard. The former Liverpool man has already proven he has what it takes to be a manager, having taken charge at Rangers and achieving a tremendous win rate of 62% so far. He’s led the Scottish club into the knockout stage of the Europa League (they remain in the competition and are set to face Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their tie in August) and has finished second in the Scottish Premiership in his first season in charge. Gerrard has managed to make Rangers a team that can compete with Celtic again. His team have played with flair and impressed in Europe and if he can carry this kind of ability over into the Championship at Bristol City, you wouldn’t bet against them being at the top end of the league with him in charge. 3. Ryan Lowe Current Club – Plymouth Argyle Ryan Lowe appears to be a bit more of a risky appointment but it could prove the right risk to take. The Liverpudlian has no doubt impressed in all of his managerial roles so far. Taking charge at Bury, he managed to completely turn the fortunes of the club around. After relegation to League Two, he completely reshuffled the team and then proceeded to lead them back into League One. After that achievement, he was then hired by Plymouth Argyle with the intention of also helping them to bounce back into the third tier following relegation. He duly complied. Although the League Two season was ultimately ended early due to the ongoing pandemic, you can’t take anything away from Lowe, who has taken Argyle into the top three and once again led a team to promotion from League Two. The risk is whether he would be able to cut it at a higher level. He is clearly one of the better managers at the lower end of the Football League pyramid but could he compete as a manager in a league two above his own? He’s not really been tested in League One or in the Championship and it could go either way. But, you could say that about most appointments and the Championship is no doubt one of the most unpredictable leagues in world football. Maybe risk is what the Robins need to take. Give Lowe a chance to cut his teeth in the second tier and prove that he is a manager to be reckoned with. It could ultimately prove to be a masterstroke. If he wants to prove his worth as a manager, then giving him the chance to potentially become a hero with Bristol City by finally taking them into the top six (and even the Premier League) would certainly do that. https://lastwordonfootball.com/2020/07/15/top-three-managerial-candidates-for-bristol-city-job/
Gerrards gone favourite now, and Lowe is slipping away. https://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/bristol-city/next-permanent-manager
A pretty fair summary, reasonable and unbiased opinion on each character, always have been an admirer of Chris Hughton, right back to his Tottenham days, experienced, professional, madia aware and a winner, Gerrard outstanding player for Liverpool and England, good results in Scotland and turned Rangers around, Lowe, very impressive, started from the bottom up, turned Bury around and gained promotion, same again at Plymouth, reverse of Gerrard, learning from the bottom up. Good choices, mine is without a doubt is Hughton, what is yours, who could lead our club to the promised land?
I'd be happy with any of these 3 and Mark Robins as well. Hughton because of his record. Gerrard would be an exciting choice. Lowe has produced fantastic results at 2 different clubs in very challenging circumstances. Robins because he lifted Coventry to promotion with playing all games away from the Ricoh. An unbelievable achievement - he also knows Walsh inside out. Appleton is the one I really wouldn't want. Over to you Mr Ashton.
Despite his record with Bury and Plymouth, it's a 2 league step up for Ryan Lowe Aside from not wanting Appleton either, I'd be happy with Gerrard, Hughton, and Robins in that order.
I think Gerrard will lift the profile of our club. Even if he fails Hughton has a good track record but something niggles me that he could be the next SoD Lowe is also intriguing, as sometimes they are just successful, and even though league 2 he has proved he can change teams and take them up. Robins worries me as in the championship with other clubs he has failed. But luck can change. Would love a Gerrard or Hughton with Lowe as second (assistant whatever they are called nowadays) to be successor.
Spot the famous twitter https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/07/...-to-rumour-about-rangers-boss-steven-gerrard/
If the two are available ide prefer someone with experience of promotion from the championship rather than an inexperienced coach , just because he’s a ‘name’ and a top player doesn’t make him a good coach . If available Hughton for me
Holden for me along with 2 new assistants INITIALLTY AS 3RD AND 4TH coach's … RP and RR … then we can languish in the doldrums again without an inspirational leader but get all the backroom gossip …. wonder how much Lee will get as the golden handshake? WAGES that would have paid for a couple of top quality players to enhance our squad? ……………….
Something is happening, Oddschecker is not showing any odds Edit back now, but Gerrard odds shortening
For me out of the current apparent choices would be, either Holden or Gerrard.....Holden because he knows the current players and the setup of the club and Gerrard for the potential players he's likely to attract.....don't really care for the rest!!....But who ever gets the job, will have my full backing.....but like the haters, I will be ready with the "out banners" if it goes tits!! Minimum is challenging in the playoffs next season
If Hughton or Gerrard are appointed I'd expect the owner to stipulate that making the Playoff next season would be the bare minimum expected.
I think we need a manager who has seen success at this level, and higher, if we really want to achieve greater things. Bringing in a supposed top name footballer just because we want to up our image would be a mistake in my books, and with all the players that have passed through the portals of Ashton Gate under Lee's tenure makes me wonder if we know what we want and more importantly how to get there. Chris Hughton would be my choice based on his resume of having been there and done that, and let's just hope the offer laid on the table is sensible and yet comfortable for whoever we hire.
Read up on Gerrard, he’s closed the gap on Celtic where the previous manager failed. Their finances are probably half Celtics now and have not been on level playing field for years. They are into the last 16 of the Europa league which will end unless they pull of a great escape. They were not in the easiest of group stages and came through them ok. So to say he is just coming into BCFC to enhance the image is naive. As I said yesterday someone done a really good write up on Gerrard yesterday on OTIB. If you read that you would understand what he is up against challenging Celtic in that league better. He’s had 2 years experience along with with the academy in Liverpool being groomed by Klopp. He uses youth, and as a Rangers fan said on OTIB has developed a good few bargains from Europe. Rangers and Celtic might be from a **** league, but put us in that league and I doubt we would break past those two clubs. Different time before their financial collapse, but that friendly when they came to Ashton Gate their fan base showed what sort of club they are. Given the choice for me Gerrard all day long over Hughton. But that does not mean I would be disappointed with Hughton.
