Salford City have confirmed that they have parted company with manager Richie Wellens.
The sacking has led to questions over the club’s ambitions and whether they are trying to move forward too soon as a club.
Salford City Part Company With Richie Wellens With 11 Games Remaining
Former Swindon Town Boss Needed Time
Form wasn’t in Wellens’ favour, but the former Swindon Town boss needed time. The pressure to succeed and make the jump up to League One has inevitably led to his sacking.
Salford’s story and ambition have been well-documented. They want to work their way through the leagues and become a successful side in the Football League and beyond. However, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was The Peninsula Stadium.
They may only have one win in their last eight games in the league, but the 40-year-old was largely working with a squad of players that he didn’t sign. He only made three signings in January and having only been in the job for four months, that is little time at all to build stability.
The sacking of Richie Wellens comes just days after their Papa John’s Trophy final success against Portsmouth. Despite the scoreline – the Ammies eventually won on penalties – Salford dominated their League One opponents, registering seven shots on target in comparison to Portsmouth’s two. It showed the way that they could play, and it showed what Wellens could have implemented.
Instead, Salford are now searching for yet another manager. A statement on the club’s website said: “Salford City Football Club has parted company with Richie Wellens by mutual consent.
“We would like to thank Richie for his time and efforts at the Club and wish him well for the future.
“An announcement about a new manager will be made in due course.
“There will be no further comment.”
Stability and Reassessment Needed
Under the regime of Gary Neville and the Class of 92, Salford will eventually become a League One club. It could still be this season, with the club currently sat in ninth and just six points off the play-offs.
However, stability and a realisation of where they are is currently needed. Their model is built on short-term successes, with experienced players on high wages often filling their squad. That can only get you so far in the world of football.
League Two is also a tough league to find your way out of. Some are more fortunate than others in moving upwards and into League One, but more often than not it takes time.
As a result, regardless of who comes in next, Salford need to give their next manager at the helm time in order to help their long-term ambitions.
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