Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore is one of a number of names being suggested for a football return after Fleetwood Town announced that manager Pete Wild has been relieved of his duties.
Moore is recently out of work after being sacked by Port Vale, but could be set for a quick return to the game after the Fleetwood decision. The Fishermen find themselves in 15th after a poor run of form from the beginning of 2026, and after six defeats in their previous seven games, the club have decided now is the time for a change in the dugout.
The club placed on record their thanks to Pete and assistant coach Adam Temple for their “hard work and professionalism during their time at the club”.
Wild was made manager in December 2024 and lasted just over a year in the dugout.
Manager to blame?
There is no doubt that the recent form has not been good enough. Under Wild, The Cod Army remain pointless in 2026, losing three league fixtures and five in all competitions.
However, Wild’s side had only lost six fixtures in the league all season before this poor spell. After a 2-1 defeat away at promotion hopefuls Colchester United, Wild highlighted the number of injuries.
“We have ten injured, five for the season, Wild said, per the Colchester Gazette. “It’s a tough moment for everyone involved”.
Many may question the timing of this decision, given that it comes only a week before the transfer deadline and that the club is relatively safe from a relegation battle, barring a collapse. Fleetwood are 14 points outside the relegation zone and face bottom-of-the-league Harrogate Town next.
Additionally, the Fishermen are 11 points outside the playoff spots.
Who is next in line?
Experience is well represented on the list of contenders. Darren Moore is newly available following his recent departure from Port Vale and would bring significant EFL know-how, including spells at West Bromwich Albion, Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as a League Two promotion on his CV.
Another option is Mike Williamson, whose managerial career has fluctuated sharply since his early success with Gateshead. Having endured difficult periods at Milton Keynes Dons and Carlisle United, Williamson may view Fleetwood as a chance to rebuild his reputation, making the vacancy an appealing opportunity at a pivotal point in his career.
Another early name to emerge is Luke Garrard, who is approaching a decade in charge of Boreham Wood and continues to earn praise for the work he has done in the National League. At 40, Garrard has built an attractive, progressive side that currently sits third, and there is a growing sense that a move into the Football League is inevitable at some point.
Next gaffer has a big job on his hands
The next manager who comes in will have to deal with heavy expectations from the board, as the objective has always been to push for promotion back to League One, where they were a mainstay for ten years, before suffering relegation in 2024. After a mid-table finish last season and a similar status this season, the board have not hung around in their bid to return to England’s third division.
However, after selling key players and losing almost a complete starting 11 to injury, the club will have to be active in the transfer market before the upcoming February 2nd deadline. Losing forward Ryan Graydon to Salford City in the summer also hindered their goals production. The striker has scored nine goals in 26 appearances for The Ammies.
The club announced in their statement that “they will issue a further update on the first team staff in due course.”