Following a miserable 2010/11 campaign in which relegation to the Football League's basement division was confirmed, Swindon find themselves searching for a new manager to take up the reigns, steady the already sunken ship and lead the Robins revival.
With in excess of 20 applicants already, the board are faced with one of their most important decisions in years with the appointment of the next manager, who will be handed the task of masterminding an immediate return to League One.
The board of directors themselves have the unenviable task of selecting the new manager, fully in the knowledge that a bad or indeed wrong decision could further anger fans as the club attempts to regain some stability. To their credit, board members have determined a number of attributes they wish the new boss to possess, including an abundance of passion for the club, a footballing brain keen to progress WITH the team and a name to excite both fans and players alike.
Having whittled the contenders down to the more realistic options, this post will attempt to analyse the potential manager's credentials, experience and ultimately their suitability to the job of overseeing a League Two promotion push.
Paul Bodin: Given his lack of experience in management, appointing the current caretaker manager would be a gamble by interim chairman Jeremy Wray, but a certain amount of confidence in him was evident in handing him caretaker charge, and he would still likely be a popular choice among Swindon fans given his history with the club. The former Wales international has worked behind the scenes at the County Ground for the past decade, managing the club's youth and reserves team and his knowledge of Town is second to none, meaning he meets the remit set by Wray of being passionate about Swindon Town and having the interests of the club ahead of his own.
Glenn Hoddle: A cult hero idolised by many a Town fan having led the club to its solitary year in the Premiership, Hoddle was recently in attendance at two Swindon games, openly admitting his desire to secure a link with his renowned football academy. Odds on him have recently been slashed, however, with his links to the club, footballing intelligence and new-found loyalty (evident in previous decisions to stick by his academy), boding him in good stead should an approach for his services be made.
Paul Trollope: Having been spotted at several Town games recently and paired with former Chairman Andrew Fitton's self-proclaimed admiration of him, Trollope's interest in the position was first declared after Danny Wilson's shock resignation. Boasting a wealth of experience at League Two level, having previously guided Bristol Rovers to promotion from the division, the former Town trainee and son of a Swindon legend still divides opinions among fans and would have to win the majority over.
Richard Money: Out of the game since leaving Luton earlier this year, Money has good pedigree in the lower leagues of English football and his most notable achievement was to take Walsall to the League Two title four years ago, a feat Town fans would hope to replicate next season. While he has the credentials, handing Money the job would again go against Wray's desire to appoint someone who is both passionate about Swindon and dedicated to putting the club’s advancement ahead of their own career.
Paul Buckle: Currently the manager of Torquay United, Buckle was instrumental in taking the club back into the Football League and has them firmly in contention for promotion this season, having achieved a third play-off spot in four years for the club. Torquay have improved year on year since the 40-year-old was named manager four years ago and is undoubtedly one of the most promising young managers in the game, although contract issues and potential compensation are likely to hinder any attempt to acquire his services.
Paolo Di Canio: The former West Ham striker recently emerged as a shock contender for the vacant manager's position with one bookmaker taking flurry of bets on the fiery Italian at the weekend. Di Canio would be the ultimate risk, having no previous managerial experience and no affiliation with the club, but such a big name is likely to excite supporters and increase season ticket sales as fans flock to see whether his infamous temperament lives on.
Glenn Hoddle 7/2
Paul Trollope 9/2
Richard Money 7/1
Paul Bodin 9/1
Wally Downes 8/1
Phil Parkinson10/1
Paul Buckle 10/1
Paolo Di Canio 5/1
Martin Ling 14/1
Peter Taylor 14/1
Kevin Blackwell 14/1
Michael Appleton 14/1
Mark Kinsella 14/1
Colin Calderwood 14/1
John Hughes 14/1
Dennis Wise 14/1
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