Manager latest: What we know
Monday 26th October, 2009
By Richard Ault

"Good things come to those who wait", or so the saying goes, but this is getting a little frustrating now, to say the least.

Four weeks on from when Rovers fans celebrated the sacking of John Barnes and Jason McAteer, the club remains managerless and in a mire at the foot of League One. Oh, and our FA Cup hopes are now hanging by a thread.

So are we any closer to finding out who are new boss will be?

On Saturday afternoon, I was walking through the car park at Prenton Park with a friend prior to the Orient game. A cheerful and well turned out gentleman approached me. He introduced himself as a "new Director of the club", although didn't give a name, and hoped we enjoyed the game. I didn't let this mystery man walk away without asking him about the manager situation.

When I enquired if there was "any chance of getting a new manager any time soon?", I think his exact reply was "any moment now".

Already 48 hours on, no news.  So, with no indication whatsoever of who will take over, or when, here is our take on things:

What we DO know
 

John Aldridge - Puzzlingly one of the bookies favourites, Aldo has laughed off suggestion of any return to Rovers. Count him out. 

Steve Coppell - Two weeks ago thecowsheds.co.uk put a call in to the office of Coppell's agent, Athole Still. Looking for any sort of quote, we put forward the suggestion that Coppell's name had been linked with Rovers and we were put on hold. Although we didn't hear from Mr Still, the lady on the phone came back a few minutes later and said "we're not interested in making any comment". Take from that what you will, but I suspect it's a firm "no". We know for sure Coppell doesn't want to return to Brighton.

Keith Hill - Hotly tipped late last week and early this week to get the job, he then released a statement via the local press in Rochdale that he has had no approach and is not interested in the job. That's the official line anyway.

Ray Mathias - Has said publicly he would love to come back and manage the club, and has let the club know of his interest. He is surely now one of the favourites to get the job.

Jim Harvey - He has apparently signed his deal at Chester City and is now getting a run of victories under his belt over at the Deva Stadium.  It seems almost certain he won't be coming here.

Wayne Allison - Currently helping Les Parry out with the coaching, Wayne has applied for the managers job and has Les's blessing.

Rumours
 

Most of what we hear to do with the new man is rumour.  Here are a few around at the moment:

Paul Jewell - Seemed to be the hot rumour this time last week, but seven days on realism seems to have bitten. No further mention of his name, except in the press linking him with Premiership Hull City should Phil Brown get the boot.

Keith Hill - The rumour doing the rounds today is that Hill was approached by Rovers and offered the job, but terms could not be agreed and he is now staying at Rochdale.

Gudjon Thordarson - Tried and failed to get the job in 2001, believed by some to have thrown his hat into the ring once again after leaving Crewe.

For more rumours check out our forum, or let us know in the form below.