Thetownend.com

It does exactly what it says on the tin.

In what capacity?

A great a season in league 2 but the most frustrating part of Wellen’s managerial career with us was his unwillingness to change tactics or ethos when things weren’t going our way.  Yes we played great football at times but quite often there were games when we had to win ugly to get a result.

We won the fucking league! Why would he change?

No, not really.

Can't someone create a poll with Wellens name any other candidates as to gauge opinion.

A different squad for one thing.

Only by default our form was dipping towards the end of the season

Jeez!

If you could prove;

1. That our budget was one of the 4 lowest in the division and not at all competitive
2. That Jewell was responsible for signing all the gash this season
3. That Wellens was responsible for signing all the good players last season


I’d entertain it.
Quite frankly his contribution to this seasons shower of shite is being complete over looked based on people’s hatred for Power. Yes, the budget was cut (I expect most teams budgets were what with COVID) just because it was cut doesn’t mean it left us with the 23rd lowest budget in the league...and...the league never finishes purely in budgetary order.

Yes. He's not without flaws but I think he's better than anyone else we're likely to appoint in League Two - considerably better than a Flitcroft type appointment or a Brown type one.

But the ownership matters first. Manager will have to wait.

On paper we did have a doddle of a run in. Nobody knows what would have happened had the season been allowed to carry on. Thankfully we had the required points haul when the league was halted.

Power Out and Wellens In would give me the passion back for the Club.
Right now it’s all lost with me.

I am surprised that some smart Alec hasn't trawled the forum for the howls of displeasure that were posted when Salford's former manager left STFC.

It would be a start for sure.

If he has love for the club, then yes.

I've said yes. I know the general rule is 'never go back' but there are exceptions to the rule.

I think in the hierarchy of blame for how this season has panned out, obviously Wellens has to take some of it, but I wouldn't be opposed to giving him another crack at the whip, considering the promotion he earned us. Given he's been at the last few games, it wouldn't surprise me if Clem is lining him up as the next manager, providing he manages to gain control of the club.

Currently yes.

4 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw after Doyle came back. Wouldn’t say that’s dipping

Nope. No evidence he is capable of managing higher than league 2 and even that is questionable looking at his Salford ‘performance’ so his stock is right down now. The fact this poll is even needed shows why he isn’t the right person, would mean a divided fanbase and we need to be looking forwards rather than backwards. Would be interesting to see whose signings were his and whose were Jewell’s as for every Doyle, Benda, Yates, Hunt and Grant we had a Hope, Kovar, Palmer, Tyler Reid and Adam May.

Would still be interesting to hear how much of an influence Wellens was on Doughty leaving as listening to people on here that know these things there was some ill feeling between the two. Doughty was a huge loss IMO.

I’m really surprised by the people who say they wouldn’t welcome Wellens back to the club. He gave us one of the best seasons we’ve had in years playing some really exciting football at the same time. It was a disappointment when he left but we don’t know the circumstances behind the scenes and he left for a club nearer his home who in theory have a good chance for success in the next few years considering their owners and the cash they have.

I don’t really buy the “he can only manage in league 2” argument. The team that was put together last season would have comfortably survived this season in League 1. We can only assume that because of budget cuts we weren’t able to keep that team together. In the early part of this season we were hit hard with injuries, especially at the back. I feel like we’d have comfortably stayed up if he didn’t leave.

Even if Wellens isn’t your first choice, we have to consider who the alternative might be. Wellens has proved he can take us out of League 2. Surely that’s preferable to someone who has never done that, like an untried young manager?

I thought he brought a buzz back to the fan base. Said And did all the right things on that front.

Told blatant lies when interviewed. Often said one thing then did another. Still, that's the same as many other managers.

The Doughty bit is the worry I have. Not sure who Doughty fell out with. But, midfielders like him don't come around often for teams like ours.

Not sure if Wellens or Jewell were the recruiters of people like Hope.

Not sure whether his departure was forced by his ambition or by Power wanting the cash. If the latter, then that endears him more to me.

I think he would create a passionate buzz. So, better him than an unproven coach or a journeyman.

Yep, on balance I would have him back. I think we played some of the best football I have seen since the Ardiles/Hoddle years; and in league 2!  That said, I cant disagree with the arguments against. But the positives outweigh the negatives for me.

Obviously when Wellens left and everyone was bitter he was the reason Doughty retired.
Now most have a hard on for him coming back I’ve no doubt the story (which may not have been true in the first place) will be that Doughty retire due to Power

I'm very much not an ITK poster, but did hear a rumour that Doughty was 'on' £4k per week (exact phrase was 'costing the club 4k' a week so no idea if that includes other expenses). If that was indeed true I can imagine that there weren't massive efforts to encourage him to stay given our finances.

Why would a player retire at 27 because of a chairman?

He's explained himself and said he left because he played one game without a crowd and it wasn't for him.   He had a new baby, lived in London and the draw of playing to empty stadiums wasn't enough.

I havent changed my mind it is a definite NO THANKS.
He would only piss off again when the going gets tough.

He wouldn’t....but....the current rhetoric is Power is at fault for everything and Wellens is blameless.

In a heartbeat

Not for me. Move forwards, not backwards.

My memory isn't as good as it was and so I am probably wrong here, but I don't recall anyone blaming Wellens for Doughty retiring did they? I thought it was widely accepted that it was nobodies 'fault'. Doughty chose to finish football for family reasons and his new startup was the impression I was under?

I'd love to have him back, we know what he can do with a reasonable budget in League Two.
Not only that he engaged with the fans, community and gave his time to the Supporters Club & Loathed Strangers live events/podcasts,etc.

I know he left under somewhat of a cloud, however had circumstances been different he would probably still be here.
At the time, with what was unravelling here, to be offered a job closer to home it was a no brainer, and most of us would've done the same i'm sure.

If not him, then a young & recently retired ex player with all the coaching qualifications.
We don't want another Brown, Flitcroft or Sheridan.

I’m sure at least one ITKer claimed it at least partially due to a falling out between the two.
Although my memory might doing be wrong here.

Yeah, that's my recollection too, although there were rumours of a training ground bust up between Wellens and Doughty, but i'm sure it wasn't serious enough for Doughty to quit football in a huff :D

Alternatively we could go down the route that Blackpool did with Critchley. Obviously cut his coaching teeth at Liverpool under 23s and is not an exciting name, but clearly is a talented coach who probably has a good managerial career ahead of him.

Clearly Blackpool have been backed financially and so its difficult to know how he would do under more extreme circumstances but I think this is possibly more likely than someone like Carrick or Joe Cole coming here. That's not to say I think its out of the question given how we have started the managerial careers of some big names historically.

Gotta love an ITKer! :)

I'm led to believe he did leave in a bit of a huff and stormed out of training.

I don't know the reason, though.

Doughty retired because of Michael Doughty.

I think our fan base needs to get over the Wellens obsession, many seem to be acting like a divorced bloke sat in his pants eating beans out of a can in a bedsit whilst trawling through his ex's photos on Facebook.

If he came back I would approach it with an open mind, but he would have to do a great deal before I trusted the fucker not to piss off at the earliest opportunity.

My favourite manager since Hoddle.  He left a basket case of a club to join another basket case of a club and had his fingers burnt because he kept to his principles of wanting to play proper football.

Would it work, who knows.  But given the potential alternatives I’d rather try something which worked the first time as we know what we are getting, although it could end up with him being fired six months down the line.

You are the second Town fan to use the word 'obsession' when it comes down Wellens. Speaking as someone who is open to him coming back I personally am not obsessed with our next manager being Richie Wellens and I doubt the other 50 or so that have stated the same are more 'obsessed' than I am.

I'm equally as open to an ex-premiership footballer cutting his teeth here, or a talented coach at a premiership under 23 side being given an opportunity. The way I see it is that at the moment, we are in a shit position off the pitch, others may disagree but I can't see too many managers seeing us as particularly desirable in the current guise, we are on a severe downward spiral. My openness to Wellens returning is purely based on his performance in league 2. He talked the talk and walked the walk and won us the league, (albeit Covid had a hand but we amassed the points to get promoted) and for that, for me, he has credit in the bank.

I get why fans don't want Wellens back, and fully accept that. But please don't be so patronising just because others might have a differing view.

Pretty much my way of thinking. Although that said, there are never any guarantees it will work second time around.

Funnily enough, I found myself saying the same thing a few days back.

Only in reverse.

The point I am making is that there are plenty of managers out there who have got teams out of Lg 2 in the last 5 years, so why is Wellens really any different, yes he knows the club but is that necessarily a good/bad thing especially when lower league clubs change season by season as much as they do these days.

I would equally happily go down the ex player/prem u23 route, albeit unless we want a manager who is going to commute from the NW every day Carrick is a non starter.

I think this season as well as Covid etc has taken its toll on a lot of people and its been quite noticeable how 'narky' a lot of the threads have become. (ignoring the political thread, that's always been a smoking gun)

I absolutely agree that there are other managers that have the ability to take clubs out of league 2 although in the current managerial market, who realistically can we call on? I suggested Kenny Jackett recently and most people thought he was probably out of our league. (which I agree with)

The thing you do get with RW is his willingness to engage with the STFC fans, be it via phone ins, podcasts, community engagement etc. That has really been missing this season and under new chairmanship (making huge assumptions it will be Clem) we need that back.

I think we probably need to lower our expectations when it comes to former pros dropping down. It's not the  90s.

Michael Carrick is not going to quit his assistant manager job at Man Utd to take over a basket case L2 side.

Someone mentioned Mark Hudson the other day. Solid pro, got his badges and a little bit of youth experience. If you're talking recently retired pros, someone of that calibre rather than a PL superstar is more likely.

I think it was acknowledged that the ex PL players mentioned were fantasy football selections rather than realistic prospects

If Wellens & Evans are being talked about might as well throw coopers name into the hat😀

lets not go down that route!

😀😀😀

No, I remember reading that too. Equally I also remember it being widely dismissed, most seemed to accept the stated reasons which BO set out.

Lets be honest though, Its more of a soap opera down STFC than Walford these days so who the fuck knows what is going on!

Get aaaahhhttt of my (p)(cl)ub you slaaaaggg!

If he walked naked from manchester road to the county ground whilst being pelted with vegetables with everyone chanting SHAME and ringing a bell. I would consider him.

until that he can swivel.  

Thing is knowing what a prickly bloke Wellens could be the 'words' on the training ground could be something like 'I'm retiring boss, I don't feel it any more and I don't need the cash' 'OK piss off you rich prick'!

although what is PDC up to these days?

No idea if he's still in the U.K. or back in Italy Bob

Being a fascist lunatic elsewhere, rather than at SN1, thank god.

(He does TV stuff in Italy - hit the headlines this week for slagging Mourinho off)

I really don't know what to think about Wellens coming back.

As several posters have noted previous he jumped ship quite quickly and would I trust him to not do it again if we got off to a good start?

He had a few falling outs with some players who suggest he was less than sympathetic to their problems and his man management at times seemed a bit dodgy. Although he was National League in that respect compared to Premier League Sheridan for upsetting players.

He was very very economical with the truth concerning all things Swindon related, on and off the pitch and he always liked to distort the truth to take the blame from himself.

But he did get us playing some good football, entertaining and attacking and actually had a plan b in games, he was tactically aware unlike Sheridan and knew how to get the best from the players available.

His signing of Kovar and Fryer seemed huge minus points and not heaping the blame on one or two individuals, I think, IMO, Kovar himself contributed massively to the clubs demise this season as he was just nowhere near good enough at all and cost us many goals through individual errors even though he was sat behind an underachieving defence.

Still sitting on the fence on his return if it is even on the cards.

That's one tough job interview. Not sure HR could approve that.

Ah ok thanks. You would imagine he would be exactly the kind of pundit that Italian TV would employ. If Rino Gattuso hadn't gone into management he'd almost certainly be alongside him.

As previously posted by several people, the thing that Wellens has in his favour (over an up and coming manager) is that we know the buzz that he created off the pitch when he was here. That buzz is sorely missing and would be a quick win for the club rated bottom of fans interaction and engagement.

13,300 at home to Exeter on a cold January day is proof of that

It worked for Lena Headley (Queen Cersei) - But that's only because her body double (Rebecca Van Cleave) was perfect!

February ;)

Only because it wasn't a leap year😀

Joe Cole’s name has come up on discussion of which I believe I was the first to mention him.

This was based on the fact I’d read an interview with him where he stated he had done his badges, done some work in the Chelsea youth set up & would love to manage the England Under 21s but felt he lacked the managerial experience so didn’t expect to be considered for it.


How that translates to how far he’d drop down the pyramid to get experience is anyone’s guess

What does that prove? It was a top of the league class against our nearest rivals at the time so you'd expect a big crowd regardless. You can pretty much go back through all our historical managers and find big attendances for big games... It's not like we were getting that level of attendance every game!

Everyone came out of the woodwork because STFC were likely to be crowned Champions*.

It proves he was doing well, did PDC get that many in? Genuine question

I recall that there were some 10/11k attendances in the div 3 season with PdC

Hudson is a name I'd like to be considered too. His first team coach experiences at Huddersfield came under David Wagner, Jan Siewert and the Cowleys, so some really good influences from different aspects of style. He also seems a really good personality based off of podcast appearances and was a captain for most of his career.

Another I'd like to be considered is Adam Murray from Barnsley. Very keen to get back into management and has learnt from a lot of great pressing managers at Barnsley recently. Seems one who's keen on data and marginal gains based on interviews, so a more modern and progressive possibility.

Much rather we go down this approach than the standard merry-go-round appointments.

Yep Wigan, Port Vale etc.

Even Malpas got two 13k attendances.....

Feel like Murray was heavily linked before, maybe when Wellens left?

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Results.asp?Season=2011-2012

So, win some games and they will come, regardless of the manager.

I guess because wages are so large now in the Premier League especially, that many players coming to the end of long top level careers have little interest in going into management and coaching and would rather retire and go on to become a football agent which is far more lucrative without the stress of being in an aggressive results based industry.

Joe Cole seems ideal even if he isn't the brightest firework in the box, the same could be said of Scott Parker at Fulham who is obviously not a man of great intelligence but has done well there.

Other than them in the last 5 to 10 years I can only think of Lampard, Rooney, Gerrard and Terry that have gone on to manage/assist at clubs in recent years after retiring from playing in the top flight for most of their careers and with several international caps each.

Kewell and Rooney have proven that even with a great careers its a big gamble but fair play to them for trying to carry on a career in football, which with top level players seems all too rare now.

Yeah there was a link from Pete O'Rourke whose usually on the money, but guess it may have been an agent just getting his client out there

I would take Wellens back in a snap for next season.

Every appointment is a gamble and few pay off, but we know that Wellens knows how to get out of league two. I like the way he speaks and the way he sets up the team.

Some of the players still here next season are those that worked very well for him in Hunt, Baudry, Fryers, Lyden, even Payne.

Do i see it happening? Not really. But better a manager we know that can do it, as opposed to a gamble on a failure somewhere else.

Comments like this make me laugh. What makes you think Scott Parker is thick? How well do you know him, beyond token soundbites in post-match pressers?

I think it's fair to say that if you review all his interviews, he doesn't exactly help the perception issue.

All Londoners sound thick. Doesn't mean that they are.

Wellens. A bit of a weasel but it's a yes for me.
Did some good work here before, no reason why he couldn't do it again (with the right backing).

Wellens did a great job here. Most enjoyable season  since PDC...

And yet, can't quite shake  nagging doubts

Yup, I'd have him back

I've gone yes mainly because it really seems to annoy DV

I would have Wellens back, but the fear is that next big job he is offered he walks away again, I would like something voluntarily from him in his contract that makes it difficult for him to walk away and it shows his commitment.

Wellens also made the comment about living so far away from home and missing the family, so will this be an issue in future for him ?

It would not surprise me if he returns, I had a feeling when he was watching the last couple of games there may be a reason, perhaps he was scouting the current crop of players, but that should not mean a return for Tommy Wright, I think he has burnt his bridges here with his steadfast backing of Sheridan and some of his comments

I'm sure Wellens would be interested if he had a decent competitive budget for L2 and could see a plan to take the club forward.

I'm not sure why people would be worried about appointing Wellens because he might take another job again - that is the case for any Manager we appoint.  Fans really are a bit odd, we seem to think employees of our clubs will behave just like us.

You could say this about any Manager we hire - if we are going to lose our managers to bigger clubs, then that is what we want, because it means they are doing a great job for us.  People have reservations about Wellens because of the club he went to and the way he went - but in that scenario you have to take a big pinch of Covid salt and add a massive pinch of Power pepper to go with it.

If you didn't hire any manager that might be off when a bigger club comes knocking, then you have to hire an over the hill hasbeen or a non-league chancer with no experience - everyone else in between will be off to a bigger club if they do well.

Excellent post, just this.
Only thing we need to do is to cover our ass's,  i.e. to make sure that there is a decent sized 'getaway ' compensation clause in the contract should any future manager prove to be another Hoddle/PDC.

...and someone as owner who is not going to pocket the compo for himself! (allegedly, m'lud!)

I'm not actively seeking for him to come back but I'd be happy if he did.

"No".

But when I see who we actually do appoint, then probably "Yes"

See there you go instantly attacking all my posts that are my opinion, fine we know you never agree with me so why keep pointing out my posts?

RobT has more often had a go at him but you don't have a go at him.

I have met Parker 2 times in person face to face I don't even watch the Premier League now or listen to any interviews and don't think I have heard one "post match presser from him ever as I am interested in nothing other than Swindon Town Football Club.

Calm down mate - it's hardly an all-out attack on your character. I just find it strange when a) people say a certain footballer is thick when they know nothing about them and b) who cares what his IQ is.

Overwhelming support for Wellens on the poll so wonder how he would compare against Fowler

The thing is he really didn't come accross as a great "thinker" thats not his accent it was just how he was.

Admitedly not many managers, certainly British one, ever seem to be eloquent and learned like the foreign managers even if they are decent coaches, look at Joey Barton.

Maybe its time we got our 3rd foreign manager in as they all seem to want it more in management whereas any of the more intelligent ex pros seem to go onto being an agent.

Wellens before Fowler every day for me.

Same here plus he would hit the ground running knowing all about league 2

yeah

No brainer    totally

I guess this is a good example for those upset with Wellens "loyalty" comments as you should be careful what you wish for.  Take all of the emotions and history out of what has gone on with Wellens and you would be hard pushed to find a better candidate for us in league 2 and as a club/community.

Add to that the positives of, he knows the club, knows some of the players, knows the town and knows league 2 and has been successful there.  Now compare that to Robbie Fowler (who could be a great success but is unknown) or somebody of a similar ilk, and I still know where my money would be.

Firmly in your superglued wallet? :D

Damn straight...

Looks like we can close the thread

Definitely. Particularly ahead of Fowler!

Why? Because people have opinions? Or because those opinions don't match with yours?  Genuine question..

Because Fowler has probably got the gig

Ah gotcha..  might be jumping the gun somewhat there

As long as he doesn't get Kovar back or send Twine out on loan

It was final interviews today for the Donny job. Wellens has now gone to massive favourite with the bookies.

He ain’t coming back here.

Assuming he was interviewed I totally agree with you

Bookies will know who was interviewed.

Yes you're right there remember when he come from nowhere in the odds before getting the Swindon job

Mr Nixon seems to think so in the super soar away Sun:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/14952871/doncaster-rovers-richie-wellens-darren-moore/

Fowler it is then!

absolutely gutted. As somebody obsessed with Wellens returning i'm devastated that our saviour has decided to go elsewhere.

As Bewitched joyfully sang, C'est la vie.

A much better gig for him than us, to be fair.

Indeed. I think this is a big job for him to be honest. He hasn't particularly impressed at League 1 level and if he fails at Doncaster his stock that he built up at Swindon will really fall.

Surprised it’s taken him this long to rock up there.
Absolute cert once Moore left.

In other news man invents wheel, totally innevitable and has been mooted publically by Doncasters owner since Moore left.

And paint will dry whilst watching.....you just need patience😀

Decent gig for him.

Glad I waited until now to vote, because I've just had an epiphany that I never rated him and wouldn't have him back. *snake emoji*

I suspect he will be available in 6 months' time

Looks like our incoming manager is at least in the country.

https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/reds-legends-step-in-to-preserve-melwood-legacy/

Wellens hasn't joined them yet, they do seem to go through a few managers at Doncaster, not sure he would be given the time he would like there they seem a bit inpatient

I reckon there's more chance that he will end up at Tranmere considering where he's from

It's interesting that you'd have that perception considering we haven't sacked a manager since 2015. Our issue has been managers leaving to other clubs!

Luke Williams and Phil Brown were both sacked weren't they?

Yes, that will happen again I’m sure.