Wealdstone find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle in the National League and have the task of finding a new manager to lead them in their bid to survive the drop into the National League South.
The Stones find themselves in 21st place in the fifth tier and one point from safety with two games in hand on a number of sides above them. Former manager Matt Taylor departed the club to take up the role of head coach at divisional rivals Solihull Moors on Thursday.
The article will take a look at five managers who Wealdstone could turn to in order to provide them with the opportunity to escape relegation from the National League at the end of the season.
Matt Gray – unattached
A manager that is seemingly linked to every National League and League Two job currently. Gray has been out of work after being sacked by Sutton United in December 2023.
The 43 year old has an impressive CV at the level having won the National League title with the U’s in 2021 and enjoyed two successful seasons in League Two. During his time at the club, Gray was committed to a 4-4-2 system built on a strong defensive unit and threats from wide positions.
During his time at Sutton, Matt Gray consistently got his side punching above their weight with the club winning the fifth tier despite being a semi-professional side. This attribute would suit the Stones given they are one of the few remaining clubs in the fifth tier who are not a full-time professional club.
Within the Stones squad is Enzio Boldewijn who had two seasons with Gray in the EFL at Sutton and Craig Eastmond who was captain of the U’s during the 43 year olds tenure. With his experience and capability of battling against the odds, Matt Gray could be the perfect appointment for the Stones to avoid relegation.
Danny Scopes – Aveley
Another manager who has constantly battled against the odds at the teams he has managed is Danny Scopes. Currently managing at National League South side Aveley, Scopes could bring an underdog mentality to the Stones that would be suitable in the role.
The 51 year old started his managerial career at Concord Rangers in 2019. Against the odds, he took them to the FA Trophy final in 2021 before losing to Harrogate Town.
Scopes was appointed Aveley manager later in 2021 and led them to back-to-back promotions to reach the highest level the club has played at in the National League South. It didn’t stop there and last season they finished inside the play-off places before losing to Maidstone United.
Last season his side picked up an average of 1.59 points-per-game and under Scopes’ management the club has seen six players progress to full-time football in the past 18 months. This ability to consistently fight against the odds and develop players would be a huge benefit to Wealdstone.
The question for Wealdstone with this appointment is whether they would be willing to take a risk on a manager who has not had experience at the level before. The 51 year old does offer the experience in the National League South should the worst situation occur for the club this season.
Angelo Harrop – unattached
Another manager who is currently out of work and a potential option for the Stones is Angelo Harrop. Having started his managerial career with AFC Sudbury, Harrop moved to Braintree Town in May 2022.
The 36 year old guided the Iron to promotion from the National League South last season and was surprisingly sacked by the club despite sitting outside of the relegation zone. During his tenure at Braintree, Harrop picked up an average of 1.56 points-per-game and predominantly deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation.
His Braintree side was built on hard work and energy and a desire to fight for every point which is exactly what is needed at Wealdstone in the remaining months of the season. Harrop’s experience in the fifth tier at a club of a similar size to the Stones could ensure that the small margins in matches against relegation rivals fall in favour of the West London club.
Appointing Harrop may come with that insurance option as well in that if the club were to be relegated out of the fifth tier, they would have a manager in place who knows what it takes to get promoted from the National League South.
Sam Cox – unattached
A familiar name to Stones fans could provide the answer to their managerial vacancy. Sam Cox started his managerial career in the Tottenham Hotspur academy before joining Wealdstone’s coaching staff last season.
The former Guyana captain was given the job as interim manager and the task of keeping the club in the National League. Taking an average of 1.8 points-per-game, he led the club to safety on the final day of the season.
A poor nine game stint at Oxford City followed at the start of this season but Cox could return to Stones to secure survival again this season. The 34 year old is committed to a possession based style of play as he discussed at the end of last season:
“We have a way that we want the boys to play. We’re not going to change and I’m not going to change the way I do things”.
Appointing a manager who knows the club and the fans as Cox does could be one that allows the manager to hit the ground running. The worry for Wealdstone will be whether they get the results they got at the end of last season or the results that Cox got at Oxford City earlier on this season.
Darren Sarll – unattached
Another manager who was sacked from a divisional rival earlier in the season could be one that Wealdstone turn to to avoid relegation.Darren Sarll was dismissed from his role at Hartlepool United in October after winning four of the 15 games he was in charge for.
Despite this, Sarll’s managerial career prior to this spell could be the reason the West London side turn to him to get them out of trouble. The 41 year old led Yeovil Town and Woking to the play-offs during his spells at the club so has the experience of succeeding in the fifth tier.
Sarll predominantly deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation and has been known for his energetic and high intensity sides.This desire for aggressive football could provide the Stones with what they need in order to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.
They currently have the 22nd worst home record in the league with four wins at home all season. In order to survive, Wealdstone are going to need to improve on this and Sarll’s style of play and high intensity could ensure that Grosvenor Vale becomes a fortress for them in the second half of the season.
In order to reach the 50 points mark at the end of the season, Wealdstone need to pick up 1.2 points-per-game which is a figure that Sarll has achieved in each of his last three managerial stints in the National League.