Swindon Town have parted company with manager Michael Flynn following a disappointing run of form, but who could the League Two side look to appoint as a replacement?
Flynn was confirmed as the club’s new manager just days before their final match of the 2022/23 season against Crawley Town and signed another new contract in early November but now finds himself out of work.
After spells at Newport County and Walsall, he joined Swindon in the hope of taking the football club back up to League One for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign but that didn’t occur.
During his time as manager of the League Two side, Flynn took control of 33 matches, winning nine but losing 17 of them. Flynn managed just 1.03 points per game during his time with Swindon Town, with that likely to have been a major factor in the termination of his contract on Monday afternoon.
The football club are currently 15th in League Two, sitting eight points off the playoff places but are in a dreadful run of form. Since Flynn’s new contract in early November, Swindon Town have won just three of their last 13 matches which has also seen them exit both the EFL Trophy as well as a shock FA Cup demolition against National League side Aldershot Town.
Swindon Town have also been a busy club during the January transfer window in terms of both incomings and outgoings. Loan stars Jake Young (Bradford City) and Dan Kemp (MK Dons) were recalled by their respective clubs as well as losing goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney through injury.
The club acted quickly to secure the services of Dawson Devoy (MK Dons, loan) as well as recalling Ricky Aguiar from Worthing and rewarding Williams Kokola with a new deal. Goalkeeper Jack Bycroft (Oxford City, permanent) and forward Paul Glatzel (Liverpool, permanent) have also been brought in.
With that being said, let’s take a look at five possible options for Swindon Town to consider…
Gavin Gunning
Former professional and current interim manager Gavin Gunning is the first name on the list, but many supporters will likely consider this as the “cheap” option.
The 32-year-old retired from the club in June 2023 and knows the League Two side inside out, from financial budgets, and fan expectations and most likely has an excellent working relationship with the players currently at the club.
Gunning is scheduled to take charge at the League Two side until the end of the season, giving him the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his abilities as a manager and put himself in the window for the club to look into hiring him.
Paul Caddis
Another former Swindon Town player who could be considered for the hot seat is former defender and current Hereford manager Paul Caddis.
The 35-year-old is under contract with the National League North Side until June 2024 and has had a successful time in charge of the club, winning 13 of their 27 league games so far and earning 1.59 points per game.
Like Gunning, Caddis also knows the club like the back of his hand and has an excellent relationship with the fans, making him an ideal and cheaper candidate for the role.
Nathan Rooney
34-year-old Nathan Rooney is currently in charge of the Gibraltar-based side Bruno’s Magpies but has EFL coaching experience and could be another option for the League Two side to consider.
Rooney has worked at Blackburn Rovers, Fleetwood Town, Port Vale, Crawley Town and Carlisle United in his coaching career and has an outstanding record as a manager in Gibraltar so far.
With Swindon Town’s current situation, I believe they need someone good at man management aside from just tactics and Rooney would be the ideal appointment to suit that criteria.
Neil Wood
Former Salford City manager Neil Wood is potentially another option that the League Two side could consider to replace Michael Flynn this summer.
The 41-year-old had been the Salford manager since 2020 and has already successfully guided the club into the playoff places but had struggled this season. Regardless, he managed 1.44 points per game from his 88 matches and is currently out of work.
With Swindon Town aiming to push towards the playoff places once again, appointing a manager who has already done that would be ideal for the club and Wood could also use his contracts to try and attract talented players to the club.
Mark Bonner
Former Cambridge United boss Mark Bonner is my final suggestion for the League Two side and someone they can consider in the summer if they opt against keeping Gunning on.
The 38-year-old has been involved with the League One side since 2011 and remained in various roles until November 2023. During his time in charge, Bonner guided the club into League One and averaged 1.38 points per game across his 191 matches.
Bonner has experience in taking clubs into League One, which is something that Swindon Town need if they are to get back on track as a club.
Swindon Town fans, would you be happy with any of these or is there someone else you’d like to see?