Before Graham Coughlan stepped into the manager’s box at the JCS, Boston United sat 12 points from safety, written off by many. Now, going into the final two games of the season they sit four points clear of the National League drop.
Experience Pays Off
Graham Coughlan, 50, has amassed years of EFL managerial experience with Bristol Rovers, Mansfield Town and Sheffield U21. Eventually settled at Newport County for Two years, before his move to the Jakeman’s community stadium.
Throughout his managerial career, Coughlan has been known as somewhat of a “firefighter” coming into teams struggling and then leading them to survival. As seen particularly at Bristol Rovers, and turning their fortunes around- leaving them in playoff contention as of December 2019 before moving to Mansfield to be closer to home.
GC took the helm in November, last year, bringing former Wednesday CB partner Lee Bullen as assistant. Lee has managerial experience with Sheffield Wednesday, as an assistant, caretaker and then U21’s manager before a 2-year stint at Ayr United.
Graham Coughlan Manager of the Year?
Not to undermine the brilliant performances, throughout the season, by teams like York or Barnet’s unbelievable unbeaten run. Hinshelwood and Brennan are top managers at this level and have excelled with their teams this year, but does it compare?
Coughlan has walked into a changing room of a largely unchanged NL north team, with only 11 points from 19 games, already being written off to go down and 12 points from safety. Not to mention crashing out of the FA Cup with a 4-0 defeat by Gainsborough Trinity (H) in a replay, an upset from a side two leagues below!
Now, yes, Coughlan has made signings since putting pen to paper, with Connor Teale, Brad Nicholson and Jimmy Knowles on perms and a loan respectively being standouts since signing. Their quality has undoubtedly been another factor
However, on the other hand, Boston has been plagued with injuries all season, with the likes of Mitch Roberts and Michael Bostwick out of contention since 2024. Alongside new signings Oisin Gallagher and Daniel Adshead out for the remainder of the season.
In 26 games of management, despite these setbacks, Coughlan has managed an outstanding 1.64 PPG, winning 12 and only losing 9, amassing 41 points. The form table for the previous 25 games, shows the significance of the turnaround, where Boston finds themselves 6th!
Coughlans most used formations: the 3-5-2, or the 3-4-2-1, utilising two solid defensive banks in order to reduce gaps, therefore shots per game. Coughlan focuses on trying to outwork teams – pressing from the front to lock down passing opportunities. Coughlan has focused on making Boston defensively sound reducing goals conceded per game to 1.4, and goals scored per game to 1.2.
Boston United Run-In
Despite the brilliant turnaround, with three wins in their last five: 2-1 vs Aldershot (A), 1-0 Altrincham (H) and 2-0 Wealdstone (H), Boston is not safe yet. With 2 games left to go and 4 points clear, the job is not done and with the future of the club hanging in the balance, going full-time next year, the pressure is on for GC and co. to complete the great escape.
Summary; Will Coughlan win Manager of the Year?
Blunt answer? I don’t think so, does he deserve it? Probably. No denying the supremacy of Barnet with Dean Brennan (2.18 PPG) and York with Adam Hinshelwood (2.04 PPG), but with the quality of players at each manager’s disposal, players that they, themselves signed with a significantly larger full-time budget than Boston’s, who are currently part-time (Hybrid model).
The sheer challenge of the survival charge he has pulled off and the unlikelihood of it certainly puts him in with a big shout. All that’s left now is to complete the job at Gateshead (H) or Maidenhead (A).