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      Meet five sacked managers this season who have quickly returned to the game – but will they be a success?

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      I WAS watching that hilarious episode of hit TV comedy Alan Partridge this week where he had written his autobiography Bouncing Back.It charted a so-called comeback from his disastrous broadcasting career and break-up from his wife.
      Tony Mowbray is hoping to help Birmingham recover from their failed Wayne Rooney experiment
      That got me thinking about football managers who have been sacked but bounced back.
      And this season there have been five bosses who have been shown the door – but have quickly returned into management.
      Here I take a quick look at those managers who are bouncing back.
      MICHAEL BEALE (Sunderland)
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      Michael Beale was axed by Rangers and is now under pressure at Sunderland
      IF you’re managing Rangers, and Celtic are above you in the table, you’re always standing on quicksand and he was duly slung out of Ibrox.
      But the Londoner – who walked out on QPR last season just weeks after pledging his devoted loyalty to them – took over at the Black Cats in December.
      Like Alan Partridge, his story might be quickly pulped if he loses his job at the Stadium of Light.
      Mackems fans were not impressed with the three straight defeats which was halted by Saturday’s vital 3-1 win against Stoke.
      TONY MOWBRAY (Birmingham)
      Talking of Sunderland, what the hell were they playing at in the first place by sacking Tony Mowbray?
      This affable man was doing a superb job for the Black Cats, getting them into the play-offs last season against the odds and had them punching around those spots again this time around.
      But he has landed himself into the self-inflicted chaos at St Andrew’s after they decided the Wayne Rooney project was not a good idea after all. No s**t Sherlock, John Eustace had them flying.
      Mowbray has won one and drawn the other of his two league games so far with his priority simply to just keep Birmingham up.  Groundhog Day for Blues fans.
      DARREN MOORE (Huddersfield)
      Darren Moore was axed on the eve of the season by Wednesday
      MADCAP Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri decided to get rid of the manager who inspired his team to promotion on the eve of the season.
      Darren Moore had even helped his side come back from 4-0 down against Peterborough in the play-offs semi-finals en route!
      The ex-West Brom boss took over at Huddersfield but is hardly bouncing back and is on dodgy ground, managing three wins from 23 games so far.
      MATT TAYLOR (Bristol Rovers)
      HAVING done a decent job with Exeter, he got a big Championship break by being named Paul Warne’s replacement at Rotherham last season.
      Despite keeping the Millers in the second tier, they struggled this time around and he was booted out of the New York Stadium in November with the club third bottom. 
      But he swiftly replaced gobby Joey Barton following his sacking and had an instant impact with four wins and a draw from his first six games. However, it’s been tough since and their 3-1 win over Oxford on Saturday halted a five-game losing streak.
      GRAHAM ALEXANDER (Bradford)
      THE Bantams boss has had some bad luck when it comes to losing his jobs at previous clubs.
      Scunthorpe decided to get rid of him after he led them to the brink of the Championship, they’re now in the National League North.
      Numbnut Gary Neville crazily dismissed the Burnley legend when they were unbeaten after five games and fifth in League Two … all this after taking Salford into the EFL and guiding them to an EFL Trophy final.
      And this season MK Dons wielded the axe after just 16 games – showing little patience.
      Yet he has arrived at Valley Parade and despite a decent start they have gone off the boil, failing to win in their last seven League Two games. They need to let him have a summer to sort it all out and go again next season. 
      Newport ‘builders’ work on a Sunday?
      THERE must have been some timely structural repairs going on in Rodney Road, Newport, this week.
      Some houses along the street which runs parallel to County’s Rodney Parade suddenly needed scaffolding erected.
      It’s incredible that those ‘builders’ not only were prepared to do overtime by working on a Sunday – but also stayed on site until a good couple of hours after 4:30pm.
      That’s what you call dedication. They must have great ratings on Checkatrade.
      Alfie, 10, gives Walsall team talk
      WALSALL boss Mat Sadler let 10-year-old fan Alfie Donnelly do his team-mate before their League Two game with Sutton.
      Alfie has multiple, complex heart conditions that have left him needing four lots of open heart surgery.
      The Saddlers invited the youngster to the training ground to meet and interview his favourite player Joe Riley as well as go to the Bescot Stadium to rile up the players before kick-off as well as read out the teams over the PA system.
      Boss Sadler said: “We all love Alfie. He’s always smiling and is an inspiration to us all.”
      Little Alfie Donnelly, 10, gives his Walsall heroes a team talk
      Elokobi is just what the EFL needs 
      SURELY any EFL club looking for a new manager should be on the blower to Maidstone United’s George Elokobi. 
      I suggested, tongue in cheek, that maybe even Liverpool should look at him!
      But, seriously, what he did before the FA Cup game against Ipswich at the gates of Portman Road on Saturday was incredible – giving the Maidstone fans a passionate from-the-heart motivational speech alongside the players.
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      This is exactly the sort of thing football needs. There are too many dullards working at bigger clubs who would stop this sort of raw passion being allowed to happen or seen.
      We need less of them and more of George Elokobi.  More

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      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney face axing five Wrexham stars as EFL rules risk wreaking havoc

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      WREXHAM could be forced to sell up to five players this month due to EFL registration rules.The Red Dragons have already signed goalkeeper Luke McNicholas this month.
      Wexham could be forced to sell several players this monthCredit: Alamy
      McNicholas initially joined the club on loan from Sligo Rovers in the summer, but his deal was made permanent earlier this week.
      Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney also want to bring in a centre-back and a striker.
      However, they are limited due to strict EFL regulations.
      Rules state that teams can only register 22 players at one time, with exceptions for those under the age of 21 and goalkeepers.
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      According to The Athletic, several players could leave to make way for new signings.
      Callum McFadzean and Bryce Hosannah could all be sent out on loan having already missed the squad cut earlier in the season.
      Forward Billy Waters has already been loaned out to Doncaster Rovers.
      Liam McAlinden, Luke Young and Jake Bickerstaff could also move on.
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      Wrexham currently sit second in the League Two table, two points behind Stockport.
      They face Championship side Blackburn in the FA Cup on Monday. More

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      Premier League cult hero SACKED by League One strugglers Shrewsbury after overseeing worst attack in entire EFL

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      FORMER Premier League star Matt Taylor has been sacked as Shrewsbury boss.The League One side were beaten 2-1 by Peterborough yesterday to leave them 19th in the table.
      Matt Taylor has been sacked as Shrewsbury managerCredit: Getty
      Matt Taylor played for four Prem clubs during his careerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Shrewsbury have the worst attack in the EFL after scoring just 18 goals in 28 games.
      A club statement on Taylor’s sacking read: “Matt arrived at the Croud Meadow in June and has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity.
      “But following a run that has seen us lose seven of our last eight games, the club feels a change is needed to improve results and performances on the pitch.
      “Alongside Matt, assistant head coach Marcus Bignot has also left the club.
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      “Town would like to wish both Matt and Marcus the best of luck for the future.
      “We will now begin the search for a new head coach.”
      Taylor, 42, previously managed Walsall from 2021 to 2022 and Swindon as a caretaker gaffer six years ago.
      He also managed Tottenham’s Under-18s after hanging up his boots.
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      Taylor featured for Luton, Portsmouth, Bolton, West Ham, Burnley and Northampton during his playing days.
      He won promotion to the top-flight with both the Hammers and the Clarets. More

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      Son of outspoken TV pundit being blocked from playing for Reading and could be sold after just six months

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      READING could be forced to sell 20-year-old midfielder Charlie Savage this month – just six months after signing him.Savage, son of ex-Premier League star Robbie Savage, joined Reading on a free transfer from Manchester United last summer.
      Charlie Savage could be forced to leave Reading as the club look to cut costsCredit: Getty
      And despite making 28 senior appearances across all competitions so far this season, he could now be forced to move on again.
      According to The Guardian, under-fire Reading chief Dayong Pang is set to sanction the sales of several players, including Savage, in a bid to cut costs.
      Savage is currently stuck on 14 League One starts because if he makes another he will trigger a £2,000-a-month pay rise.
      The Royals have already sold Tom Holmes to Luton, with a bid for Nelson Abbey also accepted.
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      However, Abbey has reportedly declined to leave the Madejski Stadium.
      Ex-Liverpool star Ovie Ejaria had his contract terminated before Christmas, saving the club around £200,000.
      Tyler Bindon is also understood to be on the chopping block.
      Reading staff have been told to alter training plans in recent weeks as club officials look to cut costs.
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      Players trained on the one pitch with undersoil heating on Thursday, but they have been told to minimise usage.
      Manager Ruben Selles has even been asked to adjust training schedules or use the gym to save on the cost of undersoil heating.
      A number of suppliers have also lost patience with the club, with data company StatsPerform catering firm Levy pulling out.
      Reading’s League One clash with Port Vale was abandoned last week following a mass pitch invasion at the Madejski Stadium.
      Fans poured onto the pitch in the 16th minute to protest the club’s ownership.
      Owner Dai Yongge is now attempting to sell the club. More

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      Troy Deeney SACKED by Forest Green after only six games in charge following ‘babies’ rant at players

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      TROY DEENEY has been sacked by Forest Green after just SIX matches in charge.The Watford legend, and SunSport columnist, was only appointed head coach of the League Two side on December 20.
      Troy Deeney has been sacked by Forest Green RoversCredit: Rex
      The Watford legend had only been in charge of the League Two club for six gamesCredit: Rex
      Deeney, 35, made 18 appearances for Forest Green this season following his arrival as player-coach in the summer, scoring four times.
      But he has not featured since he was named boss last month, and Sun Sport exclusively revealed that his time at the New Lawn Stadium was over.
      After Sun Sport exclusively broke the news, Forest Green confirmed it with a club statement at 9:38pm.
      Dale Vince, Chairman of Forest Green Rovers said: “These are decisions nobody likes to make, but we have acted this way to give FGR the best possible chance of improving results and climbing the league table. We wish Troy all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts.”
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      Dan Connor will take charge of Forest Green for Saturday’s match at Gillingham.
      Forest Green have drawn three and lost three of his six games at the helm.
      They are bottom of the fourth tier, seven points from safety.
      The strugglers were beaten 2-0 at home to Harrogate on Saturday, leading to the ex-Birmingham City forward to lay down a few home truths to the team.
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      Deeney claimed that there were “too many babies” in his squad and stated that he would rather watch Antiques Roadshow.
      He also called defender Fankaty Dabo’s performance “awful”.
      But the passionate star would later apologise to his players for criticising them, claiming that his emotions “can get the better of him”.
      Deeney has been working tirelessly around the clock to try and transform the fortunes of the EFL’s bottom club.
      He was set to bring in John Terry as part of his staff to help him as there was only one coach at Rovers.
      And that meant that he was also unable to offer his experience on-field in his player-manager role.
      He said this week: “If I come off the bench, who’s going to make the subs? Because we’ve only got one coach.
      “We’re working hard at getting another striker in, but I did join in training [on Monday] and I’ve still got a little bit left, so we’ll see.”
      Meanwhile, Deeney’s day had already got off to a poor start after he was hit with a four-match touchline ban by the FA.
      He was also fined after using “improper language” and receiving a red card during last month’s 2-1 loss at Swindon. 
      An FA statement said: “Forest Green Rovers manager Troy Deeney has been charged by the FA for two alleged breaches of its rules on language and behaviour as he was sent off during their game against Swindon Town.
      “Deeney, who took over at Forest Green last month, was sent off in the 85th minute of the 2-1 away defeat on December 29.
      “The FA alleges that Deeney’s language and behaviour were ‘improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening’ as he was sent off by referee Scott Simpson. “Deeney’s language towards a match official was also allegedly ‘improper and/or abusive and/or insulting’ after he received a red card.”
      Now that will be held until he lands his next role in the dug-out.
      Writing exclusively for The Sun ahead of his first game, Deeney explained why he could not turn down the opportunity despite relegation seemingly looming.
      He said: “Some people have asked why I wanted to take over a club next to bottom in League Two for my first job in management — but I have never been one to turn down a challenge.
      “I remember Paul Ince and Sol Campbell taking over at Macclesfield in similar circumstances and leading them to safety.
      “It’s also true that there aren’t enough black and ethnic minority managers in English football.
      “We’re still under-represented and we are less likely to get opportunities — even though I’m not sure how many black guys are applying for jobs at League Two level.”
      And he also revealed his plan to try and bring out the nasty side of the renowned Vegan club.
      The former Premier League star exclusively writes for Sun SportCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun
      The striker joined the League Two club as player-coach in the summerCredit: Getty
      He said: “The one thing everyone knows about us is that it’s a vegan club — and while it might have been funny the first time an opposition fan asked me if I wanted a steak bake or thrust a sausage roll at me, it soon wears off.
      “We need to find a bit more nastiness. Without wanting to turn us into 80s Wimbledon, I want us to become horrible to play against.
      “I’m going to keep playing until January, when Dale hopes to invest more in the squad and then I hope to gradually fade into the background as a player, rather than retiring altogether.
      “Everyone has told me it will  be extremely tough to be a player-manager but, for the time being, it’s ‘needs must’.”
      But despite the warnings – not even Deeney would have expected it to be as ruthless as having just six matches to try and bring his plan to fruition.
      Now Forest Green are searching for their third boss of the campaign having sacked Dave Horseman four weeks ago and replacing him with the ex-Premier League forward.
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      He had arrived in July after a rollercoaster start to pre-season following last term’s relegation from League One.
      Duncan Ferguson left the club in the summer, which saw Hannah Dingley’s historic interim spell in charge, before that was ended when Horseman was appointed on July 17. More

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      EFL clash CANCELLED a day before kick-off as extreme weather takes its toll on footie schedule

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      AN EFL clash has been cancelled the day before kick-off due to the extreme weather.Salford City were due to host Colchester in League Two under the lights tomorrow night.
      Salford City were due to host Colchester at the Peninsula Stadium tomorrowCredit: Twitter
      But the freezing temperatures and snow mean the pitch is unplayable.
      And with the cold snap here to stay giving no chance of the pitch clearing and defrosting, the hosts have made the early decision to postpone the match.
      Salford shared the news on Twitter at 11.15am on Thursday, a full 32-and-a-half hours ahead of Friday’s 7.45pm start.
      And they accompanied the post with a photo of their Peninsula Stadium pitch completely covered in snow.
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      Salford, owned by a host of Manchester United Class of ’92 legends, said: “Friday night’s Sky Bet League Two fixture between Salford City and Colchester United has been postponed because of a frozen pitch.
      “A pitch inspection was held on Thursday morning by a match official, and with temperatures not due to increase significantly before the game they recommended a postponement.
      “Both clubs will now liaise with the EFL and arrange a new date for the fixture.
      “Supporters who had purchased match tickets should keep hold of these because they will be valid for the re-arranged fixture.
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      “Once a new date has been decided, if you can no longer make it to the game then you will be able to claim a refund from your point of purchase.”
      Colchester supporters would have been getting ready for tomorrow’s 500-mile, ten-hour round trip to and from Salford.
      So despite the disappointment at the cancellation, fans appreciated getting the news in plenty of time.
      One said: “Oh well, at least away fans got a day’s notice.”

      Another wrote: “Well done Salford for saving fans and players the trip. Others in the league should take note.”
      A third added: “Sensible to make an early decision for travelling fans, both sets of staff, players, catering etc.”
      And a final user replied: “Shame but sensible decision given what the forecast looks like!!”
      The fixture that will be rearranged is an important one at the bottom for the EFL.
      Salford – now managed by new boss Karl Robinson – currently sit 21st in League Two, one place and two points above Colchester.
      Salford currently sit 21st in League TwoCredit: Getty More

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      Grimsby star Callum Ainley, 26, undergoes surgery after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer

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      GRIMSBY TOWN have announced that star Callum Ainley is recovering from surgery after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.The League Two club revealed the shock news this afternoon and stated that the midfielder will be out of action until at least the end of next month.
      Grimsby Town star Callum Ainley has undergone surgery for thyroid cancerCredit: Rex
      The League Two side say they hope to have the midfielder back in training at the end of FebruaryCredit: Getty
      A statement from the Mariners said: “Grimsby Town Football Club is saddened to announce that midfielder Callum Ainley was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
      “The 26 year-old, who joined the Mariners from Crewe Alexandra in the summer, has undergone surgery and will now take some time at home to recover with a view to returning to training mid-late February.”
      Grimsby’s statement then added: “Callum has shown great strength of character since he received the news and he is currently being supported by the club to ensure he has everything he needs.
      “We would like to ask supporters and the media to respect his privacy at this time.
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      “We wish Callum a speedy recovery. We hope to see him back in a black and white shirt very soon.”
      Ainley last appeared for Grimsby on December 16 in their 1-1 draw at Newport County in League Two.
      He made his debut for the Mariners on September 16 in a 3-0 loss against the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney owned Wrexham.
      He has made seven appearances so far before David Artell’s side, who currently sit 19th in the fourth tier.
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      Ainley came through the academy ranks at Crewe after joining them in 2011.
      The ace made his professional debut at the age of 17 in September 2015 and went on to make nearly 250 EFL appearances for them.
      He was also part of the promotion-winning squad in 2020 that finished second in League One.
      Thyroid cancer is quite rare in the UK with around 3,400 diagnoses made each year, with it more common in women than in men.
      The thyroid gland is found at the base of your neck at the front and is just behind the hollow where your collarbones meet.
      The gland, which is made up of two lobes connected by a bridge of tissue, is butterfly-shaped and makes and releases hormones that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.
      The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped hormone producing glandCredit: Getty
      Thyroid cancer mainly affects women as is not that common in the UKCredit: Getty More

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      John Terry set to be drafted in to save League Two club from relegation as plan revealed for Chelsea legend

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      JOHN TERRY is set to be brought in by Troy Deeney to help save Forest Green from relegation, according to reports.Watford legend Deeney, 35, joined the fourth-tier side in the summer but was appointed player-manager last month after the sacking of David Horseman.
      John Terry is set to be drafted in by Forest GreenCredit: Getty
      Troy Deeney has not won any of his six matches as a player-manager at the clubCredit: Getty
      But he is yet to win any of his six matches in charge – drawing three and losing three.
      The poor run leaves Forest Green bottom of League Two, seven points adrift of safety.
      According to The Telegraph, he has now told club chiefs his plan to bring Chelsea icon Terry, 43, in for a “defenders session”.
      The ex-England international, 43, returned to his former club in the summer to become a Blues academy coach.
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      And Deeney, Forest Green’s fifth manager in 18 months, looks set to call on his services after a nightmare start to life in charge of the Football League club.
      He is also said to have pitched the idea of former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe coming in to take a shooting clinic.
      Defoe, 41, a club ambassador and academy coach at Spurs, is currently in charge of the U18s in North London.
      Deeney also urged Green bosses to allow him to sign a defender in the January window.
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      He said: “If we get the centre-half we want then we will be foundationally very solid and can look for our game-changer.”
      But the plan to bring Terry in will raise eyebrows as the ex-England captain is yet to secure a managerial job.
      The legendary centre-back revealed back in October he was rejected by Newcastle and two League One clubs after leaving his coaching role at Aston Villa.
      He also confirmed he is in talks over a move to Saudi Arabia.
      Deeney is also set to call on ex-Tottenham and England striker Jermain DefoeCredit: Getty More