Sky Sports sources understands that Bristol City will not rush the appointment of a new first-team manager. Steve Cotterill was sacked last week and they defeated top of the table Middlesbrough 1-0 a few days later with John Pemberton as caretaker manager. The club plan on taking their time before deciding on a full-time replacement.
There has already been ‘significant interest’ in the vacant position for last season’s League One champions, with at least 30 applications already being received by the Ashton Gate club. As is the norm once any job becomes available, it is hotly contested, mostly be out-of-work bosses. Nevertheless, after the surprisingly win on Saturday, the club see no need to rush into any hasty or rash decisions.
It is believed that the process ‘could take weeks rather than days’. This will allow the club hierarchy to do relevant diligence on each potential managerial candidate, and then interview them from there. Pemberton remains in caretaker charge for the time-being, which continues with a midweek FA Cup Third Round replay against Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.
At the point of writing, Oxford United manager Michael Appleton is the favourite to succeed Cotterill, although it is believed he is in discussing to sign a new contract with the League Two promotion chasers. Nigel Pearson is another name mentioned in the betting, although he was also heavily linked with the QPR and Fulham jobs earlier this season. Neil Warnock is another, whilst Garry Monk is another interesting name in the mix.
