Cheltenham Town Identify Premier Managerial Candidate
Cheltenham Town are on the verge of naming ex-Newport County man Michael Flynn as their new boss, according to Gloucestershire Live.
The Robins had a tough campaign this season ending with relegation following a 21st-placed finish under ex-boss Darrell Clarke. The former Port Vale man decided to join League One Barnsley at the end of the campaign, despite the Robins offering him a new deal. Town did claim one new record this year but it won’t be one they will want to keep as they went 11 games without scoring.
Following an amazing season in 2020/21 where they were named as champions of League Two, Cheltenham have failed to truly progress in the third tier since. A 15th and a 16th placed finish due in part to the form of star striker Alfie May did look to secure their status as one of the divisions mainstays but their luck ran out in May this year as they went down on the final day.
43-year-old Flynn has already proven his managerial credentials following an impressive 350 games since his journey started with County back in 2017. The Welshman has previously managed Walsall and Swindon Town as well but his most successful time came in Wales leading the club to their own “great escape” in 2017, keeping them up on the final day despite them being 11 points off safety of upon his temporary appointment in March. This led to Flynn signing a two-year permanent deal at Rodney Parade.
During his time with the Exiles, his side would beat Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup leading to a dream tie away at Tottenham Hotspur in the next draw and their temporary home of Wembley Stadium. He would also lead the club to Wembley twice for the League Two play-offs, albeit they would lose in both finals to Tranmere Rovers and Morecambe respectively.
Flynn would go on to join Walsall in 2022 and would manage two mid-table finishes before being dismissed in April 2023. The former Saddlers gaffer would only be out of work for a few weeks though prior to joining Swindon Town in May. Despite signing a new two-year deal in November of the same year, the Welshman would leave a few months later following 10 losses in just 15 outings.
The board have recently appointed a Director of Football to help the new manager in experienced man Gary Johnson and it’s now expected that Flynn will be the next to arrive in Gloucestershire.
Writer’s View
Whilst Flynn has his critics, he has the credentials to stabilise Cheltenham. The experience of managing 350 games will stand him in good stead as the Robins look for an immediate return to the third tier and Flynn is a manager who is proven at the level.
Some would argue that Town overachieved getting to League One in the first place and with such a tight budget, that may well be true. With Flynn’s contacts, he would surely thrive in this sort of environment and would be able to tempt players, both current and previous to commit to his rebuild and make the Completely-Suzuki Stadium a desirable place to play.
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