New manager

[Reading Rebel]

It's nailed on that we will shortly be informed that Scott will be leaving the club to manage Aldershot.

As for our new manager would we want an experienced one or would we be happy with an inexperienced one still learning his trade?

 

[GlenSTFC]

Given our budget, we have to be realistic it won’t be a big name manager but probably either a lower down young manager or a local manager who has experience of this level but not necessarily successful.

[Mark44]

Someone else made a comment on a chat about Alan Julian..... i think someone like that would be perfect, has some experience but also still learning the trade. He also used to coach at the EDS i believe

[Reading Rebel]

My personal opinion is that they don't necessarily have to be experienced but will have done well at their previous club/s.

Edited April 27 by Reading Rebel

[G Brown]

I’d like Withers and McClurg but that’s me.

[GlenSTFC]

4 minutes ago, Mark44 said:

Someone else made a comment on a chat about Alan Julian..... i think someone like that would be perfect, has some experience but also still learning the trade. He also used to coach at the EDS i believe

Not sure what budget he had at Hampton but I’d guess it was higher than ours. He was sacked.

[G Brown]

Just now, GlenSTFC said:

Not sure what budget he had at Hampton but I’d guess it was higher than ours. He was sacked.

Doesn’t make him a bad manager, Glen.

[GlenSTFC]

Just now, G Brown said:

Doesn’t make him a bad manager, Glen.

Not necessarily just stating a fact. If he did work with the EDS, is out of work and local I guess he’d be on the list. We need to make a quick appointment though as most clubs will be releasing players and trying to sign their top targets now.

[G Brown]

6 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

Not necessarily just stating a fact. If he did work with the EDS, is out of work and local I guess he’d be on the list. We need to make a quick appointment though as most clubs will be releasing players and trying to sign their top targets now.

In the NFL, they have 3 waves to free agency based on value. In my opinion, as a comparison, we will be shopping in the 3rd wave. No one will sign for us yet based on the wages we offer unless the new man is getting a significantly increased budget which I doubt.

Edited April 27 by G Brown

[Reading Rebel]

46 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

Given our budget, we have to be realistic it won’t be a big name manager but probably either a lower down young manager or a local manager who has experience of this level but not necessarily successful.

If it was a young or local manager who has experience at this level or lower down why wouldn't we choose someone who has done well so far in their short career rather one that has so far been unsuccessful?

Edited April 27 by Reading Rebel

[West Country Rebel]

Yella must be a contender or will he be off to Aldershot with Scott?

Gavin MacPherson has been mentioned a couple of times - maybe we’ll see the return of Jon Underwood?

[Reading Rebel]

33 minutes ago, Mark44 said:

Someone else made a comment on a chat about Alan Julian..... i think someone like that would be perfect, has some experience but also still learning the trade. He also used to coach at the EDS i believe

Mark, why would someone like AJ be perfect for the job?

[Reading Rebel]

20 minutes ago, G Brown said:

In the NFL, they have 3 waves to free agency based on value. In my opinion, as a comparison, we will be shopping in the 3rd wave. No one will sign for us yet based on the wages we offer unless the new man is getting a significantly increased budget which I doubt.

The budget will hopefully be a question asked at the fans forum.

[Reading Rebel]

39 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

Not sure what budget he had at Hampton but I’d guess it was higher than ours. He was sacked.

I'm pretty sure Hampton had new owners take over that season and ploughed a lot of money into the playing budget.

Edited April 27 by Reading Rebel

[Holyport Rebel]

12 minutes ago, West Country Rebel said:

Gavin MacPherson has been mentioned a couple of times - maybe we’ll see the return of Jon Underwood?

Just to point out that Gavin MacPherson, in one of his last Enfield interviews ,said that Unders was going to be joining a step 5 club as 'Head of Football' or similar title.

Edited April 27 by Holyport Rebel

[G Brown]

Gary McCann was manager that season, RR. Alan Julian had to pick up the mess left behind.

Just 2 weeks ago, I was fully behind the club’s plan as I thought Scott was to be our manager next season and I would’ve accepted survival again knowing the plan for the future. I knew after the Enfield defeat, when I looked into Scott’s eyes that time was nearly up, now the club’s plan has to change, because I’m afraid I have zero confidence that anyone coming in will be able to build a team like Scott can. Sod the infrastructure, any money is needed for the playing budget next season to give us the best possible chance.

Edited April 27 by G Brown

[Curtis]

I would think we will see someone making the step up from managing at U21/B team level from one of the numerous professional clubs in the area.

Would fit our profile with wanting to recruit & develop young players, information about players being released from professional clubs, and great contacts for loan players.

And would probably be about a three year stepping stone for a future Football League manager until Ryan Case then steps into the role.

[Reading Rebel]

18 minutes ago, G Brown said:

Gary McCann was manager that season, RR. Alan Julian had to pick up the mess left behind.

Just 2 weeks ago, I was fully behind the club’s plan as I thought Scott was to be our manager next season and I would’ve accepted survival again knowing the plan for the future. I knew after the Enfield defeat, when I looked into Scott’s eyes that time was nearly up, now the club’s plan has to change, because I’m afraid I have zero confidence that anyone coming in will be able to build a team like Scott can. Sod the infrastructure, any money is needed for the playing budget next season to give us the best possible chance.

I might be wrong but didn't AJ take over as temporary manager when Gary McCann was sacked and managed to save them from relegation.

He was then given the managers job at the start of last season 2025/6 and after 3 months without a win was sacked by the new owners in December 2025 which is when Alan Dowson took over.

[G Brown]

4 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

I might be wrong but didn't AJ take over as temporary manager when Gary McCann was sacked and managed to save them from relegation.

He was then given the managers job at the start of last season 2025/6 and after 3 months without a win was sacked by the new owners in December 2025 which is when Alan Dowson took over.

AJ managed them last season and did well on a shoestring, you are correct he lost his job this season. As for the caretaker bit? I don’t know

[Reading Rebel]

26 minutes ago, G Brown said:

Gary McCann was manager that season, RR. Alan Julian had to pick up the mess left behind.

Just 2 weeks ago, I was fully behind the club’s plan as I thought Scott was to be our manager next season and I would’ve accepted survival again knowing the plan for the future. I knew after the Enfield defeat, when I looked into Scott’s eyes that time was nearly up, now the club’s plan has to change, because I’m afraid I have zero confidence that anyone coming in will be able to build a team like Scott can. Sod the infrastructure, any money is needed for the playing budget next season to give us the best possible chance.

I agree that the clubs infrastructure plans should change but maybe more so tweaked rather than a complete u turn so that more money can be put into the playing budget as opposed to one of the lowest in the division.

 

5 minutes ago, G Brown said:

AJ managed them last season and did well on a shoestring, you are correct he lost his job this season. As for the caretaker bit? I don’t know

You're right he managed them for the 2024/5 season finishing 18th.