Yesterday Salford City announced the departure of First Team Head Coach Neil Wood after nearly 18 months in the job. During his reign, the League Two side finished in their highest place in the club’s history. However, with the Ammies sitting in 21st place in League Two and just days to go until the transfer window opens Salford City are on the lookout for a new manager here is a list of five managers that the Class of 92 should consider.
The Short-Term Approach- Mark Hughes
The first name on this list is the former Bradford City manager Mark Hughes who departed the Bantams in October and who I would consider to become the new Salford City manager on a deal until the end of the season. As soon as Neil Woods’s departure was confirmed the former Stoke City manager was made the bookie’s favourite immediately. However, this would have been helped by Mark Hughes’s connection with the Salford City owners in his playdays. Last season similarly to Neil Wood Mark Hughes guided his Bradford side to the League Two Playoffs however had a slow start to the 2023/2024 season which meant that Bradford City parted company with the former Manchester City manager. Whilst this would be an appointment that would be criticised by League Two fans Mark Hughes would certainly be able to use his recent League Two knowledge to guide Salford City away from any threats of relegation and give the Ammies a platform to build on for the 2024/2025 season under a new manager in the summer.
The Long-Term Approach- Danny Cowley
Danny Cowley and his brother Nicky are a managerial duo that made a name for themselves by coming through the lower leagues which is a similar approach to the way Salford City became known to many. The duo’s most successful time came at Lincoln City when they guided the Imps from the National League to League One in just three seasons as well as taking the club to the FA Cup quarter-final. However, the Cowley brothers’ most recent jobs at Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth where weren’t as successful as they would have liked and if they are looking for a new long-term project Salford City may be a good option and fit for the brothers.
The Hometown Man- Dean Holden
Dean Holden would certainly be an ambitious man to target because the former Bristol City manager is certainly someone who could get a job higher up in the pyramid however if he is keen to get back into the game a job right on his doorstep would certainly be appealing to him also the boyhood Manchester United fan might want the chance to work with his childhood heroes. Dean Holden left Charlton Athletic towards the end of August after 1 win in 6 games. Dean Holden’s football is not too dissimilar to Neil Woods’s football so therefore this would be a perfect fit.
The Ambitious Man- Phil Parkinson (Altrincham)
Since joining Altrincham Phil Parkinson has done an incredible job taking Altrincham from the Northern Premier Division back to the National League where the side currently sits in 6th place. There is no doubt that Phil Parkinson is deserving of a job in the EFL however he may be reluctant to take to the Salford City vacancy because he may do that with his Altrincham side at the end of the season. However, if Salford can tempt Phil Parkinson away from Altrincham and let him build his side I would not be surprised if he is the next Pete Wild.
The Knowhow Approach- Mark Bonner
Whilst Mark Bonner is still only 38 years old he has a vast amount of experience from his spell at Cambridge United. During Mark Bonner’s first full season as Cambridge manager, he guided the club to second place in League Two and promotion to League One for the first time since 2002. The following season Mark Bonner completed the ‘great escape’ as Cambridge United picked up a run of results which took them from the bottom of the table with only a few games remaining to survival. Therefore Mark Bonner would be a great appointment for Salford City if they want to gain promotion and stabilise in League One.