Micky Mellor was sacked by Tranmere Rovers after their disappointing season showed no signs of stopping. They were dispatched 3-1 by Newport County which demonstrated Mellon’s inability to turn around their fortunes.
Mellon was in his second spell at the club and had achieved success whilst in charge. Fans on social media seemed grateful for everything that he brought to the side, whilst also accepting it is probably the right time for him to depart.
Their League Two campaign is seemingly fizzling out, they seem pretty safe from relegation, but also do not appear to be in a position to muster up a push to the playoffs. The club can probably, therefore, take a longer-term view of management. Any new manager will have time to assess the squad and make decisions ahead of a vital summer transfer window, with the opportunity to mould the squad firmly to their style of play.
We have taken a look at five potential options that Tranmere could target.
Nigel Adkins
Local lad, ex-player, and proven manager if you’re making an ideal candidate I don’t think you can look much further than Adkins.
You’d think given his background and links to the club this would be one that would unite the fans and bring that feel-good factor back to Prenton Park.
Unemployed since his time at Charlton which well, could have gone better let’s be honest here. But overall it’s a pretty impressive managerial CV.
Previous clubs: Bangor City, Scunthorpe, Southampton, Reading, Sheffield United, Hull City and Charlton.
David Artell
Arguably the most inexperienced manager on this list so to speak, but that could potentially work in his favour depending on what Tranmere have at the top of their priority list.
Unemployed since losing his job at Crewe after nearly five years in charge after an extremely disappointing 21/22 season.
During his time at Crewe, he took the club from League Two up to the dizzy heights of League One before losing his job shortly before the club got relegated back down to League Two last year in what can only be described as a dreadful season.
Still only 42 so could be considered a relatively young manager, Artell certainly seems eager to get back into management after issuing a “come get me” plea to Swindon Town earlier this year.
If Tranmere are looking for a long-term project manager I don’t think they can look too much further than Artell.
Previous Clubs: Crewe
Karl Robinson
Another one on the list from Merseyside, Robinson made his name with MK Dons and has since bounced around a couple of clubs in the EFL.
His most recent appointment came at Oxford United which apart from this season which saw him lose his job in February was pretty successful guiding the club to two playoff visits and narrowly missing out last year.
This could be considered a step down for Robinson but he would be considered a “project” manager so to speak if Tranmere were to pull this off it would be an amazing coup.
Previous Clubs: MK Dons, Charlton, Oxford United
Danny Cowley
I’d imagine Cowley and his team would be top of most teams’ shopping lists if you’re looking for a new manager.
Still a relatively young manager, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for Cowley since leaving Lincoln which is where arguably most would say is where he made a name for himself before leaving for Huddersfield.
Huddersfield unfortunately was somewhat of a poisoned chalice for Cowley only lasting a matter of months on the job.
Portsmouth was next for the Londoner but the task of taking Pompey back to the championship or further for the ambitious southerners missing out on the playoffs two years in a row proved to put Cowley in the bad books and after what seemed more of the same Pompey decided to part way with Cowley and his team.
A logical move for both club and the manager for the club is a manager who knows how to win in the right way and for Cowley a project to get stuck into.
Previous Clubs: Concord Rangers, Braintree, Lincoln City, Huddersfield and Portsmouth.
Matthew Etherington
Etherington unfortunately was a victim of the Crawley Town panto. Shortly after taking his first proper first team job, he was shown the door. It would be harsh to say it was a terrible showing from the new boss 3 games 1 win and 2 losses were deemed not good enough by the new Crawley Town owners.
Before that Etherington was Peterbrough’s Assistant Manager, then Caretaker before taking the Under 21’s job at the posh.
Looking for a chance to prove his salt as a manager, Tranmere could be perfect for him and well although it would be a risk on Tranmere’s part if you don’t buy a ticket you don’t win the raffle as they say.
Writers View
For me, the pick of the bunch would be Karl Robinson, a proper EFL manager who loves a good project and is from Merseyside.
Any of the managers above would be a fantastic coup for Tranmere. I think it’s important they don’t rush the decision ultimately they are pretty safe in League Two this season and they don’t need to panic about going down so they can take their time and make sure whoever they appoint can fit into the plan for the club ahead.
