Fitton close to naming boss

Robins' chairman set to name new manager in two weeks

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 1st December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fitton close to naming boss

Fitton: Looking for new manager

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Swindon Town chairman Andrew Fitton could have a new manager in place in time for the Robins' trip to Crewe Alexandra on 13th December.

Big names such as Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood and England Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce, and even Newcastle caretaker manager Joe Kinnear, have all been linked with the vacant post at the County Ground.

But Fitton is quick to deny the rumours and insists that a decision will be made shortly.

The fans will be urging the chairman to pick wisely as the Robins currently sit 19th in League One and just one point off the relegation zone as defeat to Walsall on Saturday only worsened their plight.

Fitton told the Swindon Advertiser: "Colin Calderwood has always been on our list but we have not approached him.

"He is in a job and it would not be right to put pressure on that. For his sake I want Colin to keep that job.

"If he was not in a job, we would invite him to join the shortlist, but he has certainly not been approached.

Rumours

"We did not think of Stuart (Pearce) for no other reason than we did not think of him. I can tell you he has not applied either.

"Like Gus Poyet, he is the sort of person that if he did apply, you would have to talk to him because there are certain people that command that respect.

"You can't say that to all 50 applicants, but to someone like Stuart Pearce you can."

Fitton flies to and from America on business over the coming weeks meaning the next seven days will be crucial in finding the club's new manager.

He added: "We are moving towards a conclusion, but it is by no means open and shut. I have spoken to Glenn Hoddle and I am going to have another couple of conversations because there are a couple of open issues.

"It may still take a couple of weeks and it won't be before the Carlisle game."

Unlikely

Former youth team boss Dave Byrne is currently caretaker manager but, after failing to win during his time in charge, he may be now out of the picture.

Fitton added: "I have a lot of respect for Dave. He is very loyal to the club and he didn't even need to be asked to do the caretaker's job.

"If we had beaten Peterborough and Walsall, would that have caused a difficult decision? I think it might have.

"That is not to say those results have counted against him. But Dave will probably say that he needs somebody experienced alongside him to guide him through, which I think is a very mature attitude to take."