The managerial merry-go-round is in full flow with Milton Keynes Dons confirming the appointment of Scott Lindsey yesterday. With the departure of Lindsey, Crawley Town are in search for their sixth manager since WAGMI United took ownership of the club.
Lindsey was appointed head coach of Crawley in January 2023 and managed to keep the Red Devils from dropping into the National League. Prior to his first full season in charge the former Swindon boss saw an overhaul of the playing squad with a largely inexperienced and unproven set of players recruited ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Despite being overwhelming favourites for relegation, Lindsey achieved promotion through the play-offs and now leaves Crawley in 18th position in League One to take over at MK Dons. Ben Gladwin has been put in interim charge of Crawley ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Bolton Wanderers but here are five candidates that could replace Lindsey at the Broadfield Stadium:
Damien Duff – Shelbourne
A former Premier League regular for the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United and Fulham has impressed during his managerial spell in Ireland.
The former winger made over 350 Premier League appearances and since November 2021 has been managing Shelbourne having worked his way through the club’s youth teams. To date, Duff has managed 115 games for the Shels picking up an average of 1.5 points per match with a 40% win record.
With six games remaining of the League of Ireland season, Duff has Shelbourne sitting top of the league. His side have the third highest possession on average in the league with 53.8% and are known for their disciplined and organised structure which Duff has implemented.
The former Chelsea winger has played a variety of formations including 5-3-2, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-1-2 across the season showing his versatility and adaptability as a coach. His side currently boast one of the strongest defences in the League of Ireland with 0.7 goals conceded on average per match and 14 clean sheets from the 30 played so far.
Duff’s ability to have Shelbourne competing at the top of the league with a significantly lower budget will suit Crawley with the Red Devils likely to be within a relegation scrap and competing against sides with budgets that dwarf their own in League One. With six games remaining of the League of Ireland season, it may be one that the Red Devils will have to wait for should Duff be shortlisted for the role.
Brian Barry-Murphy – unattached
One manager that has seemingly been linked to the vast majority of managerial vacancies is Brian Barry-Murphy. The former Sheffield Wednesday, Bury and Rochdale midfielder has been out of work since leaving his role as Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad manager.
Barry-Murphy finished his playing career with Rochdale in 2018 and within a year became manager of the Manchester club. The 46 year old had a two year spell with Dale in League One which ended with relegation from the division in 2021.
The former defensive midfielder had a three year spell as Manchester City Elite Development Squad manager which makes his CV stand out when compared to other managers. During his time with the Premier League Champions, Barry-Murphy coached the likes of Romeo Lavia, Oscar Bobb and Cole Palmer as well as having a close working relationship with Pep Guardiola.
Barry-Murphy was subscribed to a possession heavy style of play prior to his spell at Manchester City. In his first season as Rochdale manager, the club were ranked sixth in League One for average possession with 52.5% ahead of the likes of Portsmouth, Rotherham and Peterborough United.
With the former Rochdale manager’s possession heavy and emphasis on player development, a move to Crawley could fit like a glove given the style of football implemented by Lindsey.
Coupled with this is the fact that Barry-Murphy has been manager within a League One relegation fight which could be useful experience for him to have within a Crawley side likely to be fighting for survival in the third tier this season.
Ben Garner – Right to Dream International Academy
A manager who has previous experience within both League One and Two who likes to play a style similar to Lindsey’s could be a good fit for the Red Devils.
Garner started his career at Crystal Palace as a youth coach before managing in the EFL with Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Colchester United. During his time at these clubs, the 44 year old has implemented a possession based style of football everywhere he has found himself:
“He’s a very modern, progressive coach. His style is possession based and playing in the opposition’s half. I don’t think he is married to any one formation and that side of the game is his bread and butter – he can set a team up”.
At Rovers it was a lot of 3-4-3. The aim was to dominate possession and play it in the opposition’s half”.
When looking at his Swindon side in 2021-22 they had the highest average possession in the league with 59.7% and were ranked first for passing accuracy with 79.3% while scoring the most goals per match with 1.7 goals on average.
Garner’s style of football will suit the philosophy implemented at Crawley from Lindsey and having managerial experience within the third tier will be a benefit to the Red Devils. However, a move to Sussex may not be likely for Garner having taken over the role as head coach of the Right to Dream International Academy last month.
Neil Critchley – unattached
A manager recently sacked from a fellow League One side that might be in consideration to take over in Sussex is Neil Critchley. The 45 year old started his managerial career within Liverpool’s youth teams before a spell at Blackpool saw him win promotion from the third tier.
Spells as Aston Villa assistant and Queens Park Rangers head coach followed before a return to Blackpool in May 2023. After a poor start to this season, Critchley was sacked last month but his background in youth teams and style of play might be of interest to Crawley in their hunt for a new head coach.
During his time at Blackpool, Critchley predominantly played a 3-5-2 formation which was used by Lindsey at Crawley, allowing an ease of transition between the two managers. The 45 year old likes to encourage his teams to have possession of the ball on the floor and get the ball to his side’s attacking talent as stated by the man himself:
“I want us to be a team with the ball, the best form of defence is attack and when you’ve got the ball, you can decide what happens on the pitch more often than not”
When looking at last season, Critchley’s Blackpool ranked ninth for average possession with 52.5% and had a passing accuracy of 74.5%. Coupled with this is the former Liverpool youth coach’s desire to improve and introduce youth players into the first team squad. With an average age of 25 in Crawley’s last four games, the experience that the 44 year old would bring in developing young players could be beneficial to the Red Devils.
Whether the former Blackpool boss would be willing to take what many would view as a drop-down to manage Crawley is yet to be seen but coupling his experience and success as a manger in the third tier with his youth development it could be a good fit for the Sussex side.
Adam Hinshelwood – York City
With Crawley delving into non-league to sign a number of players during Lindsey’s tenure in charge of the Red Devils, the club may look in the fifth tier for their next head coach. A young, up and coming young coach in non-league that could be their wish-list is York City’s Adam Hinshelwood.
Hinshelwood’s most prominent and successful spell as manager was with Worthing where, during a seven year spell at the club, led them to a position of competing for promotion to the fifth tier. Since taking over at York in January, the 40 year old pulled them away from relegation trouble and now has the club second in the National League.
So far this season, York have picked up 24 points from a possible 33 available with the club ranked third in the league for average possession with 63% and second for accurate passes per game on average with 467 passes (86.5% accuracy).
Hinshelwood has a strong connection to Brighton & Hove Albion having played and coached with the Seagulls so a move to Crawley would be one that is closer to home for the young manager. The step up from the fifth to the third tier may be the only sticking point in the likelihood of this move occurring but like the vast majority of their player recruitment, be one with a high level of reward should it go well.