A week after John Coleman was first linked with being Peter Taylor's successor, it seems his chances have been thwarted even without an interview. Accrington gave Bradford City permission to speak to their long-term boss but before those talks were held, a lack of financial clout at Valley Parade has prevented any deal.
This blog has already waxed lyrical about the job Coleman has done at Accrington Stanley. When Coleman took over the reigns at the Crown Ground, City were a Premier League club and Accrington a massive six divisions below. Fast forward 12 years and we're now opponents and have been for the previous two seasons. And it's not as if Coleman hasn't had success against us either.
Coleman would have been a great choice but that recent long-term contract he signed at Accrington may have killed off any chance we have of seeing just whether Coleman could have turned round another club's fortunes. And the news comes on the back of similar noises from former City favourite Greg Abbott, who says he is not tempted by the job. Again, it's a shame - Abbott has done a decent job at Carlisle United - but less of a surprise.
Is this all a result of more prudent times at Valley Parade? Do we have that little money to tempt a new manager? And should we just turn our attention to out-of-work managers?
That would all raise the outlook for Peter Jackson, who will lead City out for the first time as manager on Saturday against Gillingham - more than 20 years after he last played for the club. Jackson has all the passion in the world and passion for the club, and has been making the right noises - but there are also concerns about his past and inconsistent performances as manager elsewhere.
Jackson however is in the box seat. That is a unique position which the club is also in. Succeed and his chances are boosted; fail and we'll probably look elsewhere.
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