The future – the managers I’d love to see in the Prenton Park hot seat.
The next task the Palios’ have, if they weren’t busy enough already, is to appoint a manager in the hope of extending Rovers’ positive performances and results. Tranmere’s next league encounter is at home to Grimsby Town, this fixture will be played on Saturday afternoon. Andy Parkinson and Ian Dawes, the manager of the reserves, will of course take charge as interim managers. However, below is a list of names of managers that I’d love to see appointed if Parkinson and Dawes do not sign permenant deals as Tranmere’s joint managers.
Nigel Adkins – Birkenhead-born Adkins was once goalkeeper for Tranmere, between 1983 and 1986. He met Palios during his time at the club. He went on to play for Wigan Athletic and Bangor City. After his time as a goalkeeper, he went on to have a successful career as football manager. He managed: Scunthorpe, Southampton, Reading, Sheffield United and Reading. He has managed 535 league games and from this has a 42% win percentage. His greatest honours include two league one promotions with Scunthorpe United and he took Southampton from league one to the premier league. Adkins left his last role in the summer of 2019, following his contract’s end date as Hull City manager.
Paul Cook – Liverpudlian manager Paul Cook had a successful career as a midfielder. He represented Wolverhampton, Burnley and Tranmere (aswell as many other clubs). Before retiring, as an athlete, in 2006. He has since managed Sligo Rovers, Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan (amongst many others). He guided Chesterfield and Portsmouth to the league two title and won a title in a higher division, league one with Wigan. His successful 48% win percentage across 107 Portsmouth matches and 41% win percentage across 155 Wigan matches also speaks highly of what he is capable of, he will be a fantastic appointment for Tranmere.
Cowley Brothers – The Cowley’s rose to ‘fame’ during their time at Braintree Town Football Club in the Vanarama National League. They took a team that looked set to be relegated, to the play-offs whilst playing a beautiful style of football. They did this whilst being part-time managers as they were also PE teachers at a local secondary school. After this season, they waved goodbye to the classrooms as they travelled up north to Lincoln City. They promoted the ‘Imps’ to the fourth division and went on a wonderful FA Cup run; beating Burnley at the premier league club’s stadium ‘Turf Moor’ to set up a tie away at Arsenal. After two seasons in league two, they took Lincoln to league one before being named as Huddersfield Town managers in the championship. It didn’t exactly work out for them during their time at the ‘Terriers’. However, their track record of success ‘speaks for itself’ and they are a pair that are highly sought after as football league managers.
Graham Alexander – Graham Alexander has had a great career in football. He has played over 150 games for Scunthorpe, Luton, Preston and Burnley and he has since managed Fleetwood, Scunthorpe and Salford City. Whilst a player, he appeared for his nation of Scotland, over forty times. His win percentage as manager is successful, he has a 43% win percentage over 372 football league games which proves that he would be a good appointment.
The recruitment stage is set to be a fairly interesting and exciting one, if the recruitment of players is anything to go by, the Tranmere faithful are set for a successful season ahead.