Cambridge United are on the lookout for a successor to ex-manager Neil Harris, who shocked the League One side earlier this week, leaving to join ex-employers Millwall in the Championship.
Harris’s last game as U’s manager came as they lost to promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers. He had, however, helped the club up the table during his 11-week stint as manager, taking 18 points from a possible 42, before the call came in from the Lions.
The 46-year-old has had quite the revival. Fired by Gillingham back in October 2023 in League Two, before Cambridge took a gamble on him, then onto Millwall, despite the club letting him go in 2019. He’s not handed an easy start in his first game of his new stint as his side visit high-flying Southampton.
The hot-seat at Cambridge will appeal to anyone out of work, as Harris and previous manager Mark Bonner have both contributed to the club’s stability. Whoever inherits the squad will be getting a very steady mid-table League One side, though they are by no means safe just yet this season.
Irishman Barry Corr will take interim charge for the second time, following his caretaker stint back in November after the sacking of former boss Mark Bonner. Corr couldn’t have asked for a tougher start, as Cambridge host local rivals and promotion-chasers Peterborough United on Saturday.
Here we take a look at five managers Cambridge United could have on their radar:
Barry Corr
The only place we can start, as mentioned already, this is Corr’s second stint as interim and a few good results could see Cambridge promote from within.
In his first stint in interim charge, he oversaw the U’s 4-0 thrashing of fellow League One side Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup second round. This option would create the least upheaval for the players as they will already be aware of how Corr operates. Appointing Corr on a permanent basis would continue the stability the club are working to achieve and he knows the club inside out which could well help with their survival bid.
Gary Rowett
The Millwall and Cambridge connection continues. Ex-Lions manager Gary Rowett has been out of work since leaving the South London side back in October 2023.
Some consider his sacking to be a bit harsh, given that he took eight points from a possible 15 in his final five games before being relieved of his duties. Could Rowett be itching to get back into the hot seat? He did manage League Two Burton back between 2012 and 2014 but with most of his managerial experience in the Championship, would he be willing to drop down to League One? It would be an ambitious move if so.
Mark Bonner
This one is a bit of a wildcard, given that the U’s fired him earlier in the season. Following three defeats back in November 2023, as well as picking up just one win in his previous 13 league games, Bonner’s time with the club ended on a slightly sour note.
The U’s were 18th in the third tier and only four points off the drop-zone, so this could well be a risk but it’s someone most of the players would be aware of. Bonner did however oversee the club’s promotion to League One and could have unfinished business with his old side having managed them from 2020 up until his dismissal. Before being appointed permanently, Bonner had taken an impressive 13 points from 21 available as their interim manager.
Michael Duff
Duff is no stranger to this league, having managed both Cheltenham Town and Barnsley before making the step up to the Championship with Swansea City. He was let go by the Welsh side in early December 2023, following a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town and a poor run of three points from a possible 15.
The 46-year-old’s wages wouldn’t come cheap but the U’s will have received a fee for Harris. Duff was Robins boss when the club were promoted to League One in 2021 and despite being one of the favourites to go down, he guided them to a respectable 15th position. It’s another ambitious one though and one in which is potentially out of the club’s reach.
Mark Kennedy
Saving the most unlikely until last, ex-Birmingham City assistant Kennedy was sacked by fellow League One club Lincoln City in October 2023 in what could be seen as a shock move.
As much as this one is unlikely, it could happen, especially with Kennedy having experience in this division. Location may work as well if Kennedy is still in the country. With a 34% win rate at the Imps could the Irishman be tempted back into the managerial seat with Cambridge?
It’s perhaps surprising that he has not take a job just yet, but that might be down to the former Wolves player waiting for the right offer. This could be just that and if able to keep the U’s up this season, he could certainly build next year.