Former Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town boss Danny Cowley is being chased by managerless League One pair Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic, according to Will Rooney of the Portsmouth News.
Pompey are without a boss after they parted company with Kenny Jackett following defeat to Salford City in the delayed 2020 final of the Papa John’s Trophy at the weekend. Charlton, meanwhile, are on the search for Bowyer’s replacement after he resigned from the position with the Addicks eighth in League One.
Danny Cowley Sought After By Portsmouth and Charlton
Portsmouth Have Approached Cowley Over Vacancy
According to the report, Portsmouth have made an approach for Cowley to become the boss until the end of the current season. He is said to be concerned over the length of the deal but is excited at the possibility of managing a club of Portsmouth’s size.
Though Cowley could certainly bring a more exciting brand of football to the club than Jackett was able to, there are only 13 games left this season. If he wasn’t able to get the project going in time to secure at least a play-off place for the club, it could leave them in a position where they need to part company with him – leaving the club back where it started and leaving Cowley with another unfair blemish on his record.
Rooney also reports that this concern is shared by another of the candidates for the job; former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel.
The German led Barnsley to promotion from League One in his first season in charge of the club and has since managed in Scotland with Hearts.
Former Cardiff City boss Neil Harris has also been approached.
Charlton Looking at Danny Cowley Too
Another managerless League One club in Charlton are considering Cowley among their options after Lee Bowyer departed the club. The 44-year-old is expected to take over at struggling Championship side Birmingham City – a club he represented as a player.
Johnnie Jackson is in temporary charge of the Addicks and will take the side for their home game against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
Given Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard’s recent comments about the managerial appointment, it seems as though it would be a better fit than the deal that Portsmouth are currently offering.
He told the South London Press’ Richard Cawley: “I want to put something in place by the end of the week.
“My expectation is we have something in place for several years to come. It would have to be a plan B if it’s just a caretaker until the end of the season.”
Cowley’s three-year stint in charge of Lincoln is the best example of him having a project to work with, having taken the club from the National League to League One and leaving them in an incredibly healthy position for current boss Michael Appleton to thrive in.
Sandgaard’s desire for a long-term appointment could be more appealing to Cowley if he is looking to take on something of a similar ilk to the Lincoln job.
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