Wanderers Interview Three Potential Managers

As revealed in The Bolton News this morning, Bolton Wanderers chairman Ken Anderson has whittled down the list from apparently 94 applicants and has conducted interviews with three managerial candidates.

Chris Powell, Steve Cotterill and Nigel Adkins all had interviews on Monday. Another candidate, who will remain nameless due to the fact he's still employed, had to cancel an interview and it's thought it will be rescheduled. Is it Steve Evans, Alan Stubbs or Phil Brown? Who knows.

Also, a coach who will be going to the Euros, (Gary Neville? Roy Keane?) wants to be kept in the loop on what happens at the Macron. As well as that, two mystery candidates are being considered after making contact over the weekend.

It's also been revealed that Peter Reid is not in consideration for the job. I thought he was nailed on to get it.

There's pros and cons in hiring one of the three interviewees:

Chris Powell

Former England international Chris Powell has certainly had highs and lows as a manager. After taking charge of Charlton Athletic in 2011, Powell led the Addicks to promotion back to the Championship as League One Champions in 2012. The season after, Charlton finished 9th and were only three points off the Play-Offs. Powell was eventually sacked in March 2014 after a poor run of form had led to Charlton languishing bottom of the Championship. Media reports at the time suggested Powell was sacked for also refusing to play players signed by owner Roland Duchâtelet.

Powell was made Huddersfield Town manager in September 2014. In his second managerial job, Powell suffered a 'sophomore slump' and couldn't replicate any of the success he had with Charlton. Because of this, Powell was sacked in November 2015 after only a year in Yorkshire.

Could it be third time lucky for Powell?

Chris Powell's overall managerial record: Played 219 Won 82 Drawn 63 Lost 74 Win % 37.44

Steve Cotterill

Steve Cotterill has had varied success with a range of clubs in a twenty year managerial career. After a spell in charge of Irish side Silgo Rovers, Cotterill became manager of then non-league Cheltenham Town in 1997. In five years, Cotterill won the 1998 FA Trophy and guided Cheltenham from the Conference to Division Two (League One). Cotterill then left to join Stoke City, but his stay in Staffordshire only lasted 13 games, and he left to become assistant at Sunderland.

A three year spell with Burnley followed from 2004 to 2007, before Cotterill took charge of League Two side Notts County in 2010. As manager of County, Cotterill won 14/18 games and guided the Magpies to promotion to League 1 as Champions. Cotterill then left to join a financially troubled Portsmouth in June 2010, before resigning to join Nottingham Forest in October 2011. Cotterill was then sacked before the 2012/2013 season after leading Forest to a disappointing 19th place finish the season prior.

Cotterill's last job was with Bristol City. In just over two years with the club, Cotterill won the 2015 Football League Trophy, as well guiding City back to the Championship as League One Champions. Cotterill was then sacked in January 2016.

Across his career, Cotterill has had four promotions and zero relegations. He certainly can manage in League One, but has struggled at Championship level.

Steve Cotterill's overall managerial record: Played 661 Won 273 Drawn 187 Lost 201 Win % 41.30

Nigel Adkins

Everyone's favourite former physio. Adkins has had success in the game, albeit not for a few years.

After becoming manager of Scunthorpe United in 2006, Adkins guided The Iron to promotion to the Championship as winners of League One in his first season. Despite suffering relegation after only a year, Scunthorpe were promoted back to the Championship via the Play-Offs in 2009. After helping Scunthopre retain their Championship status in 2010, Adkins became the manager of League One side Southampton.

Adkins then guided The Saints to back to back promotions, as runners up of League One in 2011 and The Championship in 2012.

In January 2013, despite Southampton being three points clear of the relegation places in the Premier League, Adkins was sacked and replaced with Mauricio Pochettino. At the time it looked harsh, given the success Adkins had. Now, it was a stroke of genius, seeing as Southampton just finished 6th last season. I'm sure Watford FC will be looking to replicate Soton's achievements after replacing Quique Sanchez Flores with Walter Mazzarri.

Adkins then became manager of Reading FC in March 2013, but couldn't prevent the Royals from relegation to the Championship. Reading then finished a point off the Play-Offs in the 2013/2014 season. Adkins was eventually sacked in December 2014.

Adkins has just been sacked by Sheffield United, after only a season with The Blades. It was definitely a season to forget, as Sheffield United finished eight points off the Play-Offs in 11th, which was their worst league finish in thirty-three years.

Adkins has proven to be successful at League One level, but can he replicate his success from long ago at Bolton?

Nigel Adkin's overall managerial record: Played 457 Won 201 Drawn 103 Lost 153 Win % 44

So, what do you think? Can one of the three interviewees be the right manager for Bolton?