Grimsby Town announced that first-team coaches Ben Davies and Shaun Pearson will take control of the team on an interim basis while the search for a new face in the dugout continues.
Davies returned to the Mariners after playing for them for two seasons in 2019, first to coach their youth team but quickly stepping up first to assist both Anthony Limbrick and Ian Holloway in their time as manager and then Paul Hurst.
He has taken interim charge before, overseeing the first team for two games in December 2020 between Holloway leaving and Hurst returning to the club, and will now work alongside Pearson.
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The latter retired from playing at the end of last season and has been fulfilling a flexible role at the club, which included scouting work along with his coaching duties with both the youth and first team.
The announcement from the club also said they would be supported by “the wider first-team staff group”, which will likely include goalkeeper coach Steve Croudson, amongst others, with no further departures announced in the playing staff.
Some have focused on the club’s decision to use the title of ”Head Coach”, as opposed to “Manager” when referencing their potential next appointment, which has led supporters to believe a possible change of approach for the club.
There is already a Head of Recruitment in place at the club, but there could be another position added to allow Town to appoint someone in the dugout who can solely focus on coaching the team, leaving other matters around the team, including signings to a Director of Football.
If this were the case, it leans towards the club trying out someone who might not have much experience as a manager but as a pure coach could bring some much-needed fresh ideas to the team on the pitch.
Perhaps the club will look towards an individual with extensive coaching experience at a high level with the top qualifications that can focus fully on on-pitch matters as a “Head Coach”, which is not something that is often seen at this level of football.
It does seem a drastic change for a mid-season appointment, but Jason Stockwood hinted towards this period being the start of a “new era” for Town and this could be what he was alluding to, as they look for a way to move the team forward on the pitch.
The announcement of their being an interim coaching team likely means supporters will not hear of a new appointment this week, with Town travelling to face Slough Town of the National League South in the FA Cup First Round this upcoming weekend.
Original story at https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/
