You will have seen the news this morning that former Blackpool, Crystal Palace, Millwall and QPR manager Ian Holloway has stated he would be interested in talking to the Walsall hierarchy in becoming our new boss.
We look at the pros and cons of a man that isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
Pros
Experienced. We have been crying out for an experienced head for the last three years.
Hes a born winner. Holloway is passionate, doesn’t accept defeat and always wants to win.
His CV. Not many managers applying for the role can boast two promotions to the Premier League.
He commands respect from everyone within the game. He would be able to lure better quality players to the Bescot despite our poor budget and League 2 status – no disrespect to Keith Hill or Darrell Clarke but Holloway would be able to entice better quality of players than them.
Holloway plays exciting fast tempo attacking football – a long way from what we have been used to seeing over the past three years.
Known to blood youth through at all his clubs. Was quoted whilst at Crystal Palace “I won’t bring a player in if it stops development of our youth set up”
His philosophy. States he wants to blood youth and he wants to have a long lasting impact in his next role.
Feel good factor. Would stick bums on seats. Season ticket sales would increase with Holloway in charge. Would definitely give the board brownie points.
National media might pay more attention to us, giving us more games on Sky Sports.
He wears flat caps. The last Bristolian that wore a flat cap didn’t do too badly did he?
Cons
He expects us to call him. We know from past history we very rarely chase a manager and with many applicants already interested would the club scupper that to talk to Holloway?
His wage. We are paying off Whitney and Keates – Holloway wouldn’t come for pennies.
He’s outspoken. Bonser wouldn’t always see eye to eye with him.
Celebrity status. Not many people take the role as Walsall manager already a celebrity and known figure. We do prefer to go about our business quietly.
This would be his ninth job in football, his third job in five years – stink of desperation?
Has he just sounded out the Walsall job to put himself back into the managerial limelight with a club close to his heart (Plymouth) on the look out for a new manager?
Is he past his best? His best years in management came six years ago when he took Palace to the Premier League.
In his twenty-two years in management hes been sacked just twice. He has left clubs to a more lucrative role.
It seems that the reaction of most on Social Media is favourable and given his record within the game the Walsall board would be silly not to sit down with him and listen to him.
The pros definitely outweigh the cons to Ian Holloway taking over as Walsall manager.
