Exclusive: Steve Holland To Return As Manager

Vital Crewe have been told by a source from inside the club that the club have approached Chelsea with a view of re-appointing former manager Steve Holland - 18 months after he was sacked.

The re-appointment is thought to be all but signed and sealed after lengthy talks; it will mean Holland will assume control of the first team from the summer.

Following the sacking of Gudjon Thordarson in October, Chairman John Bowler, Dario Gradi and the board of directors have held numerous meetings in regards to the future management of first team affairs.

Whilst the club originally planned to stick with Dario for a couple more years at least, it's thought Dario played a key role in convincing other board members to re-instate Steve Holland - holding the belief that the former Academy Director has toned his management skills at the European giants.

Holland previously managed the Alex from July 2007 to November 2008, making the step up after 15 years coaching the Crewe Alex academy. In his first season he staved off relegation to League Two but a run of bad results at the start of the 08/09 season saw huge fan protests before his dismissal in November 2008. He went on to coach at Stoke City`s Academy before being appointed Chelsea`s Reserve Team Manager in August 2009.

It`s believed that Chairman John Bowler will formally announce the appointment at a fans forum which is planned to be held before the end of the season.

THIS WAS AN APRIL FOOLS BROUGHT TO YOU BY VITAL CREWE. STEVE HOLLAND IS NOT RETURNING AS MANAGER... GUDJON THORDARSON MIGHT.

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