Bristol Rovers poised to put Shaun North and Marcus Stewart in charge
Bristol Rovers are today expected to confirm that assistant manager Shaun North and development coach Marcus Stewart will take temporary control of team affairs following Mark McGhee's departure from the club.
McGhee was relieved of his duties minutes after the final whistle following Rovers' disappointing 4-1 reverse at the hands of York City on Saturday evening and the club confirmed in a short statement that they will reveal their plan of action going forward today.
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The players, meanwhile, are set to arrive at the Cribbs Causeway training HQ as usual this morning and will be put through their paces by North and Stewart before chairman Nick Higgs confirms at a specially-arranged press conference this afternoon that McGhee's former lieutenants will be in charge for Saturday's clash with Rotherham at the Memorial Stadium.
The timing of McGhee's sacking raised speculation that the board had already sounded out a potential successor and would unveil him today, but Memorial Stadium sources yesterday suggested that scenario was unlikely.
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Higgs was unavailable for comment when contacted yesterday. But he is expected to try and make a rapid appointment with the January transfer window in mind – details of the process by which he hopes to achieve that are expected to be revealed later today.
In a short statement issued on Rovers' official website on Saturday night, Higgs explained his decision to relieve McGhee of his duties by saying: "We had hoped that the appointment of Mark McGhee would give the club some stability and long term progress, but unfortunately that has not been the case.
"We have decided that we can no longer continue with the current situation and had to make the difficult decision to part company with Mark. We decided we had to act now before it was too late."
North takes temporary control for the second time after filling the position on an interim basis following the sacking of Paul Buckle last season. He took charge for the FA Cup third round defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, but secured a win and a draw against Hereford United and Crawley Town respectively before McGhee was installed.
North was last night an 11/2 joint second favourite with bookmakers to land the job permanently, while Stewart, meanwhile, has been installed as the early 6/4 favourite.
Stewart, 40, who started a 19-year-playing career as a youngster at Rovers, returned to the club as a development coach over the summer and had been working closely with McGhee in a bid to help the 18-21 year-old age group make the transition to senior football.
Stewart, however, would take the post as a rookie manager, having not yet taken charge of a senior side.
Stewart has experience as part of the coaching staff at Exeter City and has passed the UEFA 'A' Licence and is currently working towards the UEFA Pro Licence.
Given the club's current predicament in the League Two relegation zone, the board may look to bring in an experienced man in a director of football role, like John Ward.
Comments
by DraytonGas
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:47AM
“Nick Higgs had no option but to sack MM. Initially it looked a good appointment but clearly his lack of lower league knowledge has been a major issue. His reluctance to promote one or two of the youth players who have been getting rave reviews since the season began is shocking and his decision to bring in ex stars of Scottish football no doubt on bg wages for Div 2 has been proven to be misuided. It was clear to those who still watch every game that the side lacks pace, flair and there is no clear pattern of play. Players out of position and in some cases clearly demotivated. Eliot Richards one of our bright young things has gone backwards since MMs arrival - continually knocked down and never praised. Just one example of MM's lack of management skills. I don't know the answer as to who Nick Higgs should bring in & I don't envy his position. Everyone as their own ideas but I feel someone who knows Bristol Rovers well and has a passion for the club will do far better than another so call 'big name' Shaun North is not the man - he's been coach under Buckle and McGhee and in that time the team has gone backwards.”
by davenportblue
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:42AM
“as i understand it at the moment from the comments being made is that north and stewart will be running the team with john ward coming in as a director of football.
i have a feeling of dejavu, was this not where we were before lenny lawrence was released?
it would appear that we have now gone full circle
ok so i guess we will have to wait until 4.00pm.
mr higgs brfc is waiting on this decision like no other before it so get it right for once”
by pierecardinal
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:27AM
“Not sure why I got red arrows? John Ward will be unveiled as the new man today after he turned down Plymouth. westywardy, maybe, but right now we just need some organisation. If it means Ward comes in and steady's the ship then so be it. His only (short term) task will be to keep this club in the league. If there is one man that knows how to organise a team it is him. We shall see.”
by SGRED
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:27AM
“How much is it costing rovers to pay off these managers?”
by SGRED
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:16AM
“The problem is for rovers is with the transfer window open in January who would be willing to sign for them even if the the two stand ins had any contacts to bring in.”
by westywardy
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:12AM
“never works a manager going back for a second time.”
by southwalesgas
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:05AM
“@ pierecardinal Ward is a 1/5 shot at skybet and 1/7 at stanjames to be new boss”
by pierecardinal
Monday, December 17 2012, 10:09AM
“John Ward is the choice. How do people feel about that?”
by Burgeyv111
Monday, December 17 2012, 8:45AM
“First of all would like to say how happy i am now that "nanny mcphee" has gone as i have been wishing this for "MONTHS" as could see the direction we were heading way back in Sept with no pace in the side but also feel North needs to go aswell...
IMO i would like to see Ince/Stewart have a good go at it and bring some pride and passion back into the lads !!!
UTG”
by westywardy
Monday, December 17 2012, 8:37AM
“Do any Rovers fans have any faith in a chairman that gets every appointment wrong?”