Paul Cook, Michael Appleton and Russell Martin are just some of the names linked with the vacant manager’s position at Bristol City, according to Gregor MacGregor.
Dean Holden, who was in charge of just 41 games for the Robins, was dismissed on Tuesday evening following defeat at home to Reading. It was a tenth league defeat in just 13 Championship matches.
Paul Cook, Michael Appleton and Russell Martin Among the Candidates to Take Bristol City Manager Job
Cook is the Only Unemployed Manager
Paul Cook is available for hire now, having left Wigan Athletic last July. He was in charge of the Latics for three seasons and led the club to promotion from League One. Cook also enjoyed a memorable run in the FA Cup, beating West Ham United, Bournemouth and Manchester City.
Prior to joining Wigan, Cook spent two seasons at Portsmouth and three seasons at Chesterfield, where he won promotion from League Two with both clubs.
Appleton Leading Lincoln City to League One Title
Lincoln City sit top of League One and have lost just six times in the division this season. Michael Appleton has also led the Imps to the semi-final of the Football League Trophy.
However, it took the former Manchester United player a while to succeed in management. Failed spells at Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers were followed by an impressive tenure at Oxford United.
Appleton won promotion from League Two with the U’s and reached back to back Football League Trophy finals. His Oxford side, made up in parts of promising Premier League academy players, such as John Lundstram, Kemar Roofe and Jonjoe Kenny, were known for playing an attacking and attractive style of football.
He left the U’s to join Leicester City as Craig Shakespeare’s assistant and took charge of two games as caretaker manager before the arrival of Claude Puel, in which he won both.
A return to former club West Brom as first-team coach was followed with a return to management at Lincoln, where is looking to help the Imps to the second tier for the first time since the 1950s.
Martin Inexperienced But Enjoying Tenure at MK Dons
Former Norwich City defender Russell Martin is the most inexperienced of the three as a manager. Having ended his playing at MK Dons, he stepped up to manager in November 2019 following the dismissal of Paul Tisdale.
And it’s so far so good for the former Scotland international. From 61 matches in charge, Martin has 22 wins, 16 draws and 23 losses. His side have one of the lowest budgets in the division but currently sit 13th in League One by playing an attacking style of football.
More Experience Needed at Bristol City?
As per MacGregor, the Bristol City board may be in search of a more experienced manager. Holden himself had only been in charge of 56 games, with 15 coming at Oldham in 2015.
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