Club statement

[Dave]

Yes, Bruce Rioch has done nothing in football since 2009 and now at the age of 65, I am not sure he would want to put himself back on the training ground, and re-commit to a life on the road.

Carl Fletcher all joking aside, no, just no, we are after someone with managerial experience not someone who had ago and was just way out of his depth.

Chris Hargreaves aside from his sports shop in Sidmouth he is currently employed by Bournemouth as development coach, rules him out, and no more management experience than Shaun Taylor.

Steve Woods, just taking that as a joke, surely not, someone who since retired from football has done nothing but turn out for his local cricket club.

[PhilGull]

I'm struggling to think of many former players, coaches or managers still in the game who may be viable options... Is there anyone else from Buckle's era?

[Scott Brehaut]

I'm struggling to think of many former players, coaches or managers still in the game who may be viable options... Is there anyone else from Buckle's era?

Only other one that springs to mind is Lee Hodges

[Dave]

Why does it have to be a former player? Lee Hodges as far as I know is still the manager of Truro City and that is his only management experience.

How about a former manager who came so close to taking us up in 1998..Kevin Hodges, what is he up to these days.

[PhilGull]

Why does it have to be a former player? Lee Hodges as far as I know is still the manager of Truro City and that is his only management experience.

How about a former manager who came so close to taking us up in 1998..Kevin Hodges, what is he up to these days.

Was youth coach at Argyle when Peter Reid was there, not sure about now.

[Dave]

Ah yes Phil I do remember that now, well if Kevin Hodges is out of work and fairly local not a bad shout surely ? Because that is the thing we have to remember with any names us fans throw into the hat, if they are currently contracted to any club it is a non-starter, whether it is Lee Hodges at Truro, or some one working in a caoching role at any club.

It has to be someone currently out of work. No compensation to pay.

[Bitchie Renault]

Just been through a list of apparent out of work managers and there's quite a few well known names out there, I guess a lot o them are probably employed in some other capacity, scouting, media word, etc, but surely this shows that there is some experienced heads available and we don't have to trawl the bottom of the barrel to find Rioch, a pensioner retired in Cornwall, Fletcher, a failed caretaker from the gargs, or Leroy, god bless him for what he did, but he's been a pundit for 5 years after his last 10 minute stay!!

Some out of work managers with recent experience in the lower leagues:
Micky Mellon (Decent shout, unlucky to lose job at Fleetwood)
Lee Bradbury (So so record at Bournmouth)
John Coleman (Possible seen better days)
Steve Cotterill (Accent would be perfect moy lover!!!!)
Nicky Forster (Was front runner before we went for Ling)
Simon Grayson (Did ok wit Leeds n Hudds)
Paul Hart (Maybe a bit old, but experienced and seems level headed)
Andy Thorn (Slightly dodgy at Coventry but seems a decent bloke and looks such a meathead he could double as a bouncer on the door at Boots'n'Laces!)

Out of them I'd go for Cotterill or even Atkins as mentioned before, no nonsense attitude, bit of passion, wallop.

[divingbboy]

Only other one that springs to mind is Lee Hodges

Can't see Truro letting him go, even temporarily, and his only management experience is in the BSP South, which probably isn't what we need.

[PhilGull]

How about Brian Little? Out of work since leaving Gainsborough Trinity. Lots of experience. Not afraid to go to a smaller club. As far as I know is quite respected within the game.

[Bitchie Renault]

Simon Baker just posted this on the club website, doesn't really say anything new, just adds a bit of a call to arms from the fans to what we already know:

"THE life of a football club can be a rollercoaster ride at the best of times and Torquay United has been through many ups and downs in our proud history.

There is no denying that we find ourselves in a tough situation at the moment and the dual priority for everybody within the club is supporting our manager and helping the team get results.

We have been overwhelmed with the goodwill messages for Martin Ling, all wishing him a quick recovery from his illness. Torquay United fans have been magnificent in their support and we have also received numerous messages from other clubs in the Football League.

On behalf of Martin, I would like to thank you all for your kind words.

In Martin’s absence, our assistant manager here at Plainmoor, Shaun Taylor, has stepped into the breach and we are extremely grateful for his professionalism and commitment in such trying circumstances,

We are working to find an individual with managerial experience to help Shaun with the running of the team and I can promise that the Board of Directors at Torquay United will do everything within our power to help keep our club away from the danger zone in League 2.

We have two big away games at Rochdale and Aldershot in the next week before we welcome Port Vale and Wycombe to Plainmoor.

As supporters, you can play a massive role in lifting the players for these games. Football is all about results but nobody can ever question the attitude and endeavour of our players.

I truly believe that the wins will come again. We have enough quality and energy to be a force in this division, a fact many of these players have proven to be true on numerous occasions over the last few seasons.

Now is the time to really get behind the team, stay positive in your support and together we will come out the other side as a stronger football club."

[jonnyfive]

Anyone suggesting Carl Fletcher is on a wind-up. All he proved at Gargoyle is that he is not up to being a football manager - what sort of reference is that?!

And I understood that we were on the tack of appointing a short-term manager, to run things, not to just 'help Taylor out,' so what is the point of discussing Lee Hodges, Hargreaves etc??

Atkins would be a good one, but Wiki says he manages Sporting Fingal AFC in Eire. I love Leroy like a deeply-tanned uncle, but I don't think his brand of champagne football would be appropriate for our current plight. Someone grizzly please.

[Dave]

If we are stuck in a situation where a cheap local option is the only choice, then for me Kevin Hodges has the relevant football management experience. However I do agree with Bitchie.

Steve Cotterill, is a very young coach manager, fantastic experience, and more importantly, he would "not" want the job permanently. Yes I here you cry he would be expensive, where is the money coming from. Already said £40k for a manager or £400k for relegation, I go to every home game, seen a team over recent weeks, who's confidence and self belief has dropped to alarming levels, I have seen a team that is ok to a point while at 0.0 but as soon as they conceed, heads drop, pattern of play dissappears, panic and generaly fold up and go home.

We should not be looking at this from a "what can the club afford to do " more from a " what can the club afford NOT to do" Point of view.

[PhilGull]

Gary Peters is another one, Out of work since Hereford decided they no longer needed a director of football.

[sam]

I haven't checked all the posts but hasn't anyone thought of Ian Atkins. There is no one better to deal with this situation. He has worked wonders before and can do it again. Ian Atkins for me.

[SteveDeckchair]

Some good names on that list and I echo the sentiments of many in that we need some bite. Much as I love Leroy, he is not the man for this situation. Best keep the happy memories and move on.