Michael Flynn, a former Newport County, Walsall, and Swindon Town manager, is poised to be named the new manager of newly relegated League Two club Cheltenham Town, according to Gloucester Live. Reports emerged in recent days that the 43-year-old was being considered as the new manager of Cheltenham Town following Darrell Clarke’s departure to Barnsley at the end of the season.
Gary Johnson (father of Lee Johnson), the newly appointed Director of Football, was tasked with replacing the departing manager, with a statement confirming “His first task is to help the board identify and recruit a new first team manager following the departure of Darrell Clarke to Barnsley yesterday afternoon.”
It took the new manager only four days to discover and hire Michael Flynn, who has been out of work since Swindon Town fired him in January.
How had Michael Flynn’s season gone?
Flynn may have been unfairly treated; he was given the unenviable task of rebuilding a struggling club while dealing with restrictions and behind-the-scenes intrigue with a roster of players who were not his first choice. Despite this, he successfully began the season with a remarkable unbeaten streak in the league until their record deteriorated considerably in the second half of his stay.
How did Cheltenham Town find themselves back in League Two?
Cheltenham Town have always been able to punch above their weight; despite low resources, they were able to survive in the third tier and compete against much larger clubs thanks to some astute recruitment and management. However, the departure of key player Alfie May (among other things) contributed to a tough season, and despite Darrell Clarke’s best efforts, they were unable to survive another year. They will want to rebuild and strengthen as they prepare to compete in League Two, which is undoubtedly far more competitive.