Steve Cotterill’s Green Army?

Struggling side, Plymouth Argyle are currently propping up the Championship table with only two points from 8 games and a goal difference already in negative double figures. They also had a poor sseaon in 2008-9 narrowly avoiding relegation after finishing 21st in the league table, five points and one place clear of the bottom three.

It is inevitable therefore that media speculation about the future of their manager, Paul Sturrock should now be rife and already the dreaded statement of support from the Chairman has been necessary.

New Argyle Chairman Sir Roy Gardner is understood to be supporting Sturrock and said recently:

‘The priority is stabilisation and laying a good foundation for the future. Paul is the right man to do this on the football field and take the club forward.’

Sturrock is in his second spell with the club. He resigned from Dundee United in August 2000 before later joining Plymouth for his first spell. This was a successful time for the former Scotland international and Dundee United player. He begame a Green Army legend by first guiding them to the Third Division title.

By October 2003, Plymouth were in top spot of the Second Division and they would be crowned Champions that season and get promotion to the Championship. Sturrock though had left by then with Plymouth still having 12 games of the season to play.

Managerial spells at Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon followed before Sturrock rejoined Plymouth in November 2007 for his second spell at the club. Initially Argyle once more seemed to be having success and at one point reached 10th, their highest spot in the Championship and looked like possible play-offs candidates.

However the slide then began with the club now looking relegation candidates for the second season running and Sturrock beginning to lose his appeal amongst the fans. Argyle have just five wins from their last 38 matches.

Speculation in The League Paper, a National football newspaper suggests Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale and former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill could be in the frame to replace Sturrock.

Steve Cotterill has of course been linked to numerous managerial positions since leaving Burnley by mutual consent in November 2007 and more often than not he has denied the rumours himself but the fact remains he is still out of football management after nearly two years.

It will be interesting to see if he makes any statemtnts this time about the speculation.

It would appear though that Tisdale would be the stronger candidate. He is regarded as one of the best young managers in the game (Shades of Cotterill?) after leading the Grecians to two successive promotions since taking over in 2006.

Whatever happens we wish Steve Cotterill well in his attempts to get back into football management.