Aldershot Town begin manager search after ‘not so mutual’ John Coleman exit

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By Steve Gibbs

Aldershot Town have drawn up a shortlist of ‘three or four’ candidates to replace manager John Coleman, after receiving over 40 applications in the 48 hours since it was announced that he would leave after Saturday’s final game of the season.

Interviews start on Thursday, led by head of football operations, Terry Brown, but chairman Deane Wood wouldn’t confirm if former Shots midfielder Scott Davies is amongst them.

The Slough Town boss has been heavily tipped to return to the EBB Stadium, after building a strong reputation for working with a small budget and developing young players in the National League South.

Asked if Davies fits the profile of the type of manager The Shots are looking for, Wood could only say: “I would have said so. He sounds like he could be.”

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Difference of opinion

Coleman’s surprise departure came after both chairman and manager had already spoken about planning for next season.

However, despite it being officially announced as a mutual decision, there may have actually been a slight difference of opinion.

“I thought it was mutual,” admitted Wood on Wednesday afternoon, “but I’ve just left John now and (he feels) it ain’t so mutual, it’s more a sacking. He’s changed a little bit from the other day.

“This might be the worst decision I’ve ever made in my life – but it could be the best decision,” he concedes.

“If you don’t try, how are you going to know? I make decisions, whether they’re wrong or right.

“There’s only one person can take the blame, that’s me. If it’s wrong, it’s me what has got to put it right.”

Communication

Wood cited a lack of “body movement” and “communication with the players” from Coleman during matches as one of his reasons for the departure after a faltering end to the season.

“Whether that’s his way or not, it ain’t mine. Winning one game out of 13 is not my idea of doing alright. And it ain’t the way I want this club to run.”

Coleman talked of the need for a major squad rebuild after last weekend’s defeat to Brackley Town – a loss which Wood described as “disgusting” – yet private conversations suggested different plans.

“He wanted to keep most of that team. (But) the players aren’t consistent. I watch a player and one week he’s rubbish, the next he’s brilliant, there’s no in between.

“They’ve got to put the shirt on with pride; it’s not just about what they’re getting paid. That’s how we’ve ended up where we are.

“John said to me, ‘it’s because we’re safe, they don’t want to get injured, they don’t know if they’ve got a contract’.

“I’m not being funny, if you’re worrying about that, you ain’t a winner, in my opinion.

“You don’t mind losing a game if you think ‘oh, they tried hard’. That’s not knocking John, but I believe it’s time to move on.”

Guts

Of his successor, Wood explained: “It might not be some big name. It’s got to be someone that’s got a bit of guts, ‘let’s go for it’.

“Yes, everyone would like me to go and get a celebrity, but we can’t afford that. I don’t just want a cheap, crap manager; I want someone who’s got a bit of a point to prove. Like with the players.”

The recruitment process has “got to be quick,” asserts Wood, “because we’ve got to buy a team – and I don’t want all the good players gone.

“I think there will be quite a few changes. I think it’s needed. Whoever comes here must put that shirt on with pride, or don’t come here.

“We’ve got to be out there giving everything.”

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READ MORE: John Coleman to leave Aldershot Town after securing National League safety