Colchester United are looking for a new head coach after sacking John McGreal.
McGreal, who has taken the U’s to two eighth-placed finishes and a sixth this season, is one of the favourites to take over at relegated Tranmere after they lost Mickey Mellon to Dundee United. If that is the case, they won’t now need to pay any compensation as club statement revealed McGreal was leaving after four years.
“Colchester United are seeking a new First Team Head Coach. I spoke with John McGreal on Friday 3rd July to explain that the club is going to be implementing a new plan that will see the first team being even more tightly aligned to the Academy and that I along with my three other directors, (Tony Humes, Tony Ashby and Jon De Souza), felt a change of First Team Head Coach was required if our new direction was to be successfully implemented.
“This was a very tough decision for a number of reasons, but not least because John has been First Team Head Coach for the last four years. This last season has been one of the club’s best seasons for a number of years and John should be very proud of his time in charge of the first team. However, the club is not only facing a number of unprecedented challenges but also some unprecedented opportunities and myself and the other directors believe significant changes are required that will be best served with a new Head Coach.”
48-year-old McGreal played for Ipswich, Burnley and Tranmere during a sterling career, with the Colchester job his first in management.
The U’s are now likely to look inwards for their next coach, with McGreal’s assistant Steve Ball an early favourite, along with former Leicester City man Wayne Brown, who was the U23 coach there until taking over at Malden and Tiptree.
Stinks this, John was close last season to getting in playoffs and reaching L1, this season he was even closer, this is RC way of saying we cannot afford to get promoted and we have to stay in L2, so John Mcgreal is the fall guy. Parted ways, good way of saying sacked.
— Simon Brannan (@Simon41627188) July 14, 2020
He had a good cup run but he undoubtably underachieved considering the quality of the squad we had. Too many poor results
— 🔰 Kai 🔰 (@KaiIshaq) July 14, 2020
I agree Simion. I’ve just read the news. I for one am disappointed. Last season was the best season I’ve witnessed since supporting Colchester, and personally I think sacking was the wrong decision. Come next season with him, could have been promoted.
— Alex Ramzan (@MrAlexRamzan) July 14, 2020
Interesting move but further emphasises the impact COVID has had on football clubs. The need to align the academy with the first team has never been more important with minimal funds to invest. A ‘new’ blueprint will be needed for many at this level and below.
— David (@thedavidmorris) July 14, 2020
All the best to John, a good guy but undoubtedly underachievered in the league for four years with some great squads, to not challenge for the top three with the teams we have had in this league is appalling let alone only reaching the playoffs once in this time, right decision.
— Dan Davis (@coludan) July 14, 2020
I know the names of managers will be put out there for some time now, i just hope it is not just a quick fix with an internal appointment or just straight for Wayne Brown. At least interview outside the inner circle and clarify what they have to work with from the start
— Craig Lancaster-Jones (@grumpycjones) July 14, 2020
Can’t see how other teams in league 2 can offer new contracts to players but we can’t, also John did well this season don’t get wrong I feel the team we had should of been on top, we need a manager who knows how to get teams promoted not a unknown manager for me Ian Holloway
— Dean (@Arsenal_colufan) July 14, 2020
reading between the lines. asked for money to spend in the summer and got told no?! I expect to see the academy manager take over and no new signings. we will be in league 2 for a long time!
— Martin Pitts (@Sidderz_1) July 14, 2020
Appeared to be a very good head coach but struggled with in-game management and tactical flexibility. Always provided a good set-up and had us trying to play the right way but not enough nous to make changes throughout games.
— Jay Matthams (@JayMatthams) July 14, 2020
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