New Manager - The Front Runners

There is still very little to go on on the manager front. Names have been thrown about but there is little in the way of 'official' news. Neil Cox and Craig Hignett are as yet the only two to publicly show interest in the job, but with John Bowler saying the club want a proven manager it seems unlikely the two former Alex men will be considered for the top job.

So all we have to go off are various newspaper reports and the names that keep cropping up. So far Jim Gannon seems to be the strongest link so far with Nigel Clough, David Platt and former Stokie Steve Cotterill not far behind. Initial favourite Mark Robins seems to have fallen away.

But would any of these actually take the job?

JIM GANNON
Age: 40
Current Club: Stockport County (2005-)
Previous Clubs:
Achievements: Promotion from League Two with Stockport in 2008.
Would he want the job? Whether Gannon would want the job is still very much up in the air. To a neutral it'd be pie in the sky, no-one would drop from 8th to 24th. An in-depth look however shows there may be a possibility. He's known to be a big admirer of the Alex's set up & stability and still remains in contact with Dario following his 6 month spell with the club at the end of his playing career. Currently unable to agree a new contract with Stockport there may well be a good possibility of Gannon coming for the security of a well paid, long term (ish ) contract if for nothing else. However, whilst Gannon admires the Alex he is Stockport through and through and whilst he's onto a good thing up there he'll find it difficult to let go. He is far from out of our reach however, but it'll be hard work for Bowler if he wants him as the new Alex manager.

STEVE COTTERILL
Age: 44
Current Club: OUT OF WORK
Previous Clubs: Stoke City (02), Burnley (04-07), Cheltenham(97-02), Sligo Rovers (96-97)
Achievements: Promotion from the Conference up to League One in 5 years with Cheltenham. Also FA Trophy winner in 1998.
Would he want the job? Out of work for a year now, Cotterill may well jump at the chance to return to football at a stable club. Having worked around the area for now what is much of his managerial career a job in the North West wouldn't be a problem for the Cheltenham born man. He took his UEFA Pro Licence in 2001 with Dario Gradi and so will know the great man. If offered the job it's likely Cotterill would take it.

NIGEL CLOUGH
Age: 42
Current Club: Burton Albion (1997-)
Previous Clubs: None
Achievements: Promotion to the Conference in 2002. Currently 2nd in the Conference.
Would he want the job? After 11 years at Burton Albion it'll be a tough job to tempt Clough away. He is Burton's answer to Dario, having a say from the first team right up to helping plan a brand new ground. He's bound to have had offers over recent years from league clubs but he's remained at Burton for a reason. Whether he'd see us as the perfect club to finally make the step up is something only he will know. I don't think he'd jump at the chance of taking over here like a few others would, but maybe we can convince him otherwise?

DAVID PLATT
Age: 42
Current Club: None
Previous Clubs: Nott'm Forest, Eng U-21s.
Achievements:
Would he want the job? Rumoured to have actually applied for the job, so despite his well paid job with Sky Sports, Platt may well fancy a return to the Alex. He is still in touch with the likes of Dario Gradi and only a few years ago enquired about taking a training session or two with the club. Platt would be one of a handful who wouldn't think twice about taking the job if offered but is he 'proven' enough?

MARK ROBINS
Age: 38
Current Club: Rotherham
Previous Clubs: None
Achievements:
Would he want the job? There's a good chance he would. He's currently fighting relegation with Rotherham after a 17 point deduction. He's managed to work on a shoe string and under extreme circumstances, with the Millers also losing their ground in the summer. Having only been in the job for 18 months though, experience isn't his strength and he is far from proven.



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