Bristol Rovers are lining up Cameron Toshack as a managerial replacement for the outgoing Joey Barton, according to TEAMtalk.
Rovers parted company with the former Fleetwood Town boss yesterday after over two and a half years in the job. The controversial figure led his side to League One after a third-place finish in League Two in 2022 after a dramatic 7-0 victory over Scunthorpe United on the final day of the campaign.
Barton’s side was able to stay in the third division last season with a 17th-place finish, eight points clear of safety. The 41-year-old manager lost his position with his team sitting 16th in the table, failing to win in their last three games, most notably losing 4-1 to an in-form Burton Albion side.
The reported replacement, Toshack was assistant manager under Jesse Marsch at Leeds United whilst in the Premier League and had previously worked as manager of Cypriot side Pafos FC and Swansea City under-23s.
He has been unemployed since leaving the Yorkshire side earlier this year, however will certainly be looking to bounce back to management and fill the large shoes of his father John Toshack. Toshack Sr had an illustrious managerial career with six years in charge of the Welsh national team and a short stint at Real Madrid among a multitude of other jobs.
In the meantime, Andy Mangan will lead the team on an interim basis, with his first outing coming tomorrow in a League One clash with fellow strugglers Northampton Town at the Memorial Stadium.
Writers View
Rovers haven’t sacked their manager in particularly desperate circumstances, sitting five points above the relegation zone. Therefore, they aren’t in any great rush to find the right man.
Whilst Toshack can boast some success at the under-23 level with Swansea and in Cyrpus’ top division, holding his sides’ all-time win percentage record in the division. He is a relative unknown in senior management in the EFL and could prove to be a risky appointment.
