Meet the manager: Check out the six new faces in the Championship
Published:
Lampard, Bielsa and McClaren in the dugout
The new Championship season is just around the corner. Plenty has stayed the same in England’s second-tier. But there are six new managers to get to grips with ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Gone are the likes of Carlos Carvalhal, Mick McCarthy and Ian Holloway. In are half-a-dozen new and familiar faces, who could be set to shake up the division.
The Coral News Team is on hand to take you through the summer’s managerial movements…
Paul Hurst
It’s been a remarkable rise for Paul Hurst. Just over eight years ago the 43-year-old was embarking on his first managerial role with Northern Premier League outfit Ilkeston Town. Since then he’s taken in Boston United, Grimsby Town and Shrewsbury Town. Only an extra-time play-off final defeat last season denied Hurst his fourth promotion in as many jobs.
That record is all well and good. But it’s his ability to get the best out of a limited squad and stretched resources which makes him the perfect fit at Ipswich Town. The Sheffield-born gaffer will carry on where Mick McCarthy left off at Portman Road as the Tractor Boys eye an unlikely play-off tilt next season.
Graham Potter
Swansea City are back in the Championship after seven seasons in the Premier League. They’ll be relying on Ostersunds hero Graham Potter to return them to the top table at the first attempt.
The ex-York City ace spent eight years in Sweden guiding the minnows through four divisions and to an incredible Europa League last-32 tie with Arsenal. Swans fans will be hoping the 43-year-old can restore the passing football the club were renowned for prior to their fall from grace. Time will be key if Potter is to succeed in South Wales.
Gary Rowett
Loyalty counts for nothing in football. Just ask Derby County fans. Five months after agreeing a new contract with the Rams, Gary Rowett jumped ship to take up the reins at relegated Stoke City.
The 44-year-old has shown plenty of promise in stints with Birmingham City and Derby since cutting his teeth with Burton Albion. Now he needs to back that promise up with a long-vaunted promotion to the Premier League.
He’ll have the tools and the backing to do the job with Stoke. Expect the Potters to play a well-organised brand of football with a particular emphasis on passing the ball. If that doesn’t work, though, Rowett is not a manager averse to mixing things up.
Frank Lampard
Don’t adjust your screen. This isn’t something out of Football Manager. Frank Lampard is the new manager of Derby County. There’s no telling how things will pan out for the Rams in Lampard’s first managerial sojourn.
However, the early signs are good. The Chelsea legend comes across as an extremely intelligent and perceptive individual. He has a good support staff too, including highly-rated ex-Blues youth coach Jody Morris.
Derby have been on the cusp of getting out of the Championship in each of the last five seasons. Could Lampard’s fresh approach be the key ingredient to get them over the line?
Marcelo Bielsa
The Coral News Team have already given their verdict on what ex-Argentina and Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa will bring to Elland Road. But what the man dubbed El Loco should add to the league is a whole dose of excitement.
His football is built on a free-flowing attacking philosophy. That usually means goals – and plenty of them. Expect an intrepid 3-3-1-3 and plenty of fireworks as Leeds give it their biggest shot in over a decade at returning to the honey pot of the Premier League.
Steve McClaren
It’s a case of back to the future for Queens Park Rangers. After getting rid of Ian Holloway as manager for the second time, former Loftus Road coach Steve McClaren is back in West London for his first stint in the Hoops’ dugout.
Former England boss McClaren is a safe pair of hands at this level having led Derby County to three promising campaigns during his time at Pride Park. He never did manage to get the Rams promoted. But his appointment at QPR should ensure the Rs of a safer season than the one they endured last time round under Holloway.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
