This years managerial merrigoround has affected teams who during this season have overachieved but thankfully Doncaster Rovers managed to stay with the same boss, Sean O'Driscoll (right), as they did last season.It all started on the last day of last season in both the English Premier League and Scottish Premier League, when Ricky Sbragia at Sunderland, and Celtic's Gordon Strachan left their posts at the high profile clubs.
Firstly Sunderland, who had a buyout of the club shortly after the vacancy came, by Irishman Ellis Short. This was widely to be to do with Sbragia's resignation but the managers linked with the press, such as Steve Bruce, Gordon Strachan and Slaven Bilic continued to be linked. A press conference confirmed that Niall Quinn would remain in charge of the selection of the new manager and he approached Wigan, who after days of discussions eventually allowed Bruce to leave. Wigan had finished just outside of European qualification in the league whereas a lot richer Sunderland had starved off relegation on the last day.
Former Southampton boss Gordon Strachan also quit Celtic on the last day, which had been reported in the media that it was for the set-to-be vacant Sunderland job. Strachan disputed these claims despite Sbragia's quitting, and was eventually proved right. Strachan had finished second in the Scottish Premier League which wasn't good enough for the Hoops faithful. It was believed to be a two hourse race for the Celtic job between two managers in the English football league. Owen Coyle had taken Burnley to the Premier League via the play-offs, despite minimal resources and they were the pre-season fifth favourites for relegation, with only Blackpool, Barnsley, Plymouth and Doncaster believed to have a weaker squad. Also Tony Mowbray (left) in just three seasons at West Brom had taken them to the play-off final, where they eventually lost to Derby, the semi-finals of the FA Cup and were Championship title winners in 2007-08 but had been relegated on the penultimate game of the season. Despite Ipswich boss Roy Keane, Motherwell boss Mark McGhee and Croatia boss Slaven Bilic labelled as dark hourses, the Glasgow side eventually plumped for Mowbray.The next vacany became available at Reading. Steve Coppell's resignation became confirmed after uncertainty in the build up to the club's play-off semi final, after the defeat denied them of an immediate return to the English top flight. Coppell is regarded as one of the best English managers after leading the Londoners to the verge of European football in just their first season in the top division. Watford's Brendan Rodgers eventually took the Majeski hotseat after a strong spell at Watford, who he took to midtable after looking miserably towards the drop when he took charge. He had previously been Chelsea's reserve team manager.
Back at the JJB Stadium in Lancashire, Lactic's chairman Dave Whelan had his sights on one man. Former Wigan midfielder Roberto Matinez had just lead Swansea to the verge of the Championship play-offs in their first season in the second tier. In 2007-08 season he had also left the Welsh side to the league title in style, with his sexy, flair football. After many days of discussing compensation over which members of the backroom staff would follow the Spaniard to the Manchester suburb side, ex-Rover Graeme Jones and Swansea's chief scout eventually agreed a deal after a stalling.
Watford acted quickly after Brendan Rodgers' departure. Coach Malkay Mackay has been handed the reigns.
Swansea have approached former QPR manager Paulo Sousa to be the clubs new head coach and West Brom have drawn up a six man shortlist with St Johnstone's Derek McInnes, believed to top it.
So all in all, a good summer as Rover continue with one of the widely regarded dozen best managers outside the top flight.
