League One side Shrewsbury Town have announced they have parted company with head coach Paul Hurst and assistant Chris Doig in a statement released on the club’s official website.
This marks the end of Hurst’s second spell as manager of the third tier side, having previously been in charge between 2016 and 2018. Since his return he has been in charge of 36 games and only recorded seven wins whilst losing 21 having conceded 67 goals in the process. He leaves them 23rd in the table after three league defeats in a row and a humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of League Two Salford City yesterday.
It is a stark difference to his first spell where he had an over 50% win percentage taking his side to the League One play-off final before they were defeated by Paul Warne’s Rotherham United, the side he made over 400 appearances for as a player after extra time.
He has previously been in charge of Ilkeston Town, Boston United, Grimsby Town (on two occasions), Shrewsbury Town, Ipswich Town and Scunthorpe United.
Where does this leave Shrewsbury Town?
Shrewsbury now face a mountain to climb to survive in League One. It is still early in the season but with the exception of Burton Albion the sides around them have shown signs of improvement. Leyton Orient, with the quality of their squad will likely rediscover their form soon, Cambridge United have won three games in a row and Crawley Town have already changed manager and shown signs of life with their impressive victory over Lincoln City. Even Burton have made a decision over their manager and with the huge turnaround in their squad surely can’t go on losing forever.
They have also played more games (14) than the sides around them (12 and 13) and have the second-joint lowest goal difference in the league. The decision will be a vital one with an immediate impact needed, otherwise they may as well prepare for League Two football in January.
