Peterborough United are assessing several early contenders for their vacant managerial position as the club sits 23rd in League One with just one win from seven games. The search is underway following a 2-0 home defeat to Doncaster on Saturday, a result that leaves the team with five points and a goal difference of minus eight.
Chairman Darragh MacAnthony is leading the process, with a focus on finding a candidate whose style and personality align with the club's structure. Among the names under consideration are Karl Robinson, Dave Challinor, Robbie Savage, Dean Brennan, Andy Edwards, Matt Bloomfield and Michael Duff. Each brings a distinct profile to the table.
Robinson's relationship and record
Karl Robinson is available and has a strong existing relationship with MacAnthony. He has experience in League One, having reached the play-offs three times with MK Dons and Oxford United. His sole promotion success came in the 2014-15 season, however, and he was unable to achieve promotion with Salford City in League Two. Some supporters may recall his time as a rival boss with MK Dons.
Challinor's promotion pedigree
Dave Challinor possesses a strong body of work, most recently taking Stockport County to the League One play-off final last season. He has achieved five promotions across spells with Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde and Hartlepool United. His record suggests he could afford to wait for a role at a top League One club, and there is a question over whether he would find MacAnthony's hands-on approach a comfortable fit. He left Stockport reportedly due to a change in the level of financial backing.
Savage's man-management appeal
Robbie Savage is reported to be a good man-manager, a skill that could be valuable with Peterborough's young squad, particularly in midfield. He prefers a high-tempo style of football and knows League One well, with his son playing for Reading. His managerial record so far is unproven, with Forest Green Rovers currently mid-table in the National League and suffering a 3-1 home defeat to Boston United yesterday.
Other candidates include Dean Brennan, who has steered Barnet to the top of League Two with a relentless pressing style that could suit Posh's young and fit squad, though he lacks League One experience. Former promotion-winning skipper Andy Edwards knows the club intimately and has a great coaching reputation with England age groups, but his only managerial spell was brief. Matt Bloomfield, a highly regarded coach who steered Wycombe to the top of League One before brief stints at Luton and Oxford, would be hungry to prove himself and enjoys working with young talent.
The club's immediate focus is on halting a poor run of form that has seen them take just three points from the last five games (LDDLD). The next challenge is a trip to face Stockport County, who sit 9th, on Saturday 26 September. Fans can check the full upcoming schedule on the club's fixtures page, while the current standings show the size of the task facing the new manager. The decision is expected to be made swiftly, with the aim of providing stability for a squad that has conceded 12 goals already this season.
This story first appeared at Peterborough Telegraph
