Next Sheffield Wednesday manager: Everything that happened today as Tony Pulis moves closer and Garry Monk breaks silence
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We began the day with Garry Monk giving his response to Monday night’s news of his sacking.
In a statement released through the League Managers Association, the former boss said: “It is a huge disappointment to be leaving Sheffield Wednesday. It has always been a real honour and privilege to be manager of this historic club.”
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Hide AdHe would go on to add that, “there has been some foundations put in place that will enable the club to be successful in the future.”
Owls writer Joe Crann took a closer look at those foundations, focussing on the work Monk did, particularly in the summer in rebuilding the squad.
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Hide AdGoalkeeper coach Daryl Flahavan was next up to send a message, this time on social media, as he said his goodbyes, too.
“With a heavy heart unfortunately our time at Sheffield Wednesday has come to an end… I would like to thank everyone for making my time there a real pleasure and wish you all the best for the future. With special thanks to these two, Joe Wildsmith and Cameron Dawson. We go again.”
At this stage Tony Pulis was the favourite to step into Monk’s shoes, but the bookies threw a spanner in the works after Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe jumped to the top of their list.
Alex Miller had spoken to Lowe earlier this year and he made no bones about how he would love one day to return to Hillsborough, having been here as a player.
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Hide AdLowe said, then: “I'm still learning my trade but at some point in the future, I'd love to manage Sheffield Wednesday.”
So that’s Lowe and Pulis, not to mention Paul Cook and Nigel Pearson whose names were still flying around, perhaps more through hope than expectation from a fans perspective.
The Star’s Liam Norcliffe went through the list to offer their key attributes and what they’d bring to the job.
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Hide AdThen, news broke that Pulis was in ‘advanced taks’ and it would appear now that by the time Wednesday take on Preston a week on Saturday, he’ll be the man picking the team.
Dejphon Chansiri spoke to TalkSPORT and indicated that there had been a large number of applicants for the role – and to be fair there should be.
But Pulis seems to be the one the chairman is going for, with the former Middlesbrough, West Brom and Stoke City boss having been interested in the job before Monk was picked.
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Hide AdLike yesterday, the news didn’t exactly go down that well among the Wednesday support, though there were a few willing to give him a go.
Largely, though Pulis has some way to go to win round the fanbase and perhaps he’s fortunate that it doesn’t look as though any of them will be near the ground anytime soon.
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Hide AdHowever, our columnist Alan Biggs did pose the question of whether fans want to be entertained or to win matches? Pulis is a man who gets results, even if it isn't pretty.
Then, just as we were all settling down after our tea, a new name enters the fray, via The Athletic.
Sven-Göran Eriksson – yes, the former England manager – is apparently interested in the job.
It’s never quiet in S6.
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Chris Holt, Football Editor