Notts County manager Luke Williams has denied holding talks with League One outfit Portsmouth over the vacancy at Fratton Park, according to Bristol World.
Williams was a youth player with Bristol City, however, his playing career was cut short by injury at the age of 20, and he opted to ply his trade as a coach.
The position has been vacant since the club parted ways with Danny Cowley on January 2nd after 654 days in charge. Williams was one of the favourites to take over but speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham on Tuesday evening he stated “I didn’t speak to Portsmouth at all.”
As for the other candidates for the job behind Williams, a man with League One experience already is the favourite to take over in former MK Dons manager Liam Manning, as well as a man with Premier League experience, Chris Wilder formerly of Sheffield United is behind him.
If Williams were to join up, it would mean a potential reunion with former Bristol City player Ryley Towler, who joined up this month for an undisclosed fee. Williams was a head coach with Bristol City Under 23’s guiding them to back-to-back fifth-place finishes and he also oversaw the development of Antoine Semenyo, who represented Ghana at a World Cup.
Our Verdict
Williams is one of the least likely candidates on the list to take over at Fratton Park, he is currently enjoying a fantastic season with Notts County in the National League and looks set to guide them back to the Football League for the first time since their relegation in 2019.
Taking over in June last year, he has guided them to the top of the league and his side has only been defeated once. A job in a top division may be tempting but it is difficult to see the 42-year-old swayed away from the project at Notts County currently. Key player Macauley Langstaff was linked with a move to Ashton Gate in November, but the striker who has scored 22 in 26 has also proved difficult to sway away.
However, just because Williams has not discussed with the club yet does not mean he would not be approached by the club, it seems the club are carefully assessing all options before coming to a decision.
Portsmouth fans, who would you like to see take over at Fratton Park?
