Tranmere Rovers chairman Peter Johnson won’t rush decision to replace sacked manager John Barnes

Oct 15 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post

Tranmere Rovers chairman Peter Johnson won’t rush decision to replace sacked manager John Barnes

TRANMERE chairman Peter Johnson has revealed that there has been “a lot of interest” in the Prenton Park club’s managerial vacancy.

Johnson stressed he will not rush into appointing a successor to John Barnes although the Prenton chief insisted the process of finding a new was well underway.

Johnson sacked Barnes last Friday, barely four months after his shock decision to replace Ronnie Moore.

A number of lower league managers have made their interest in the post known, while bookmakers have quickly installed former Burnley manager Steve Cotterill – currently a free agent – as favourite.

But chairman Peter Johnson said: “In just a few days we have had a lot of interest in the position.

“We are determined to appoint the best possible candidate to take the club forward so we won’t rush the decision and the process will continue into next week.”

Chief executive Mick Horton added: “We have been very pleased with the level of interest we have received in the position so far.

“We won’t rush into a decision but supporters can rest assured that we are working hard to find the best person for the job.”

Robbie Fowler, Joe Royle and John Aldridge have all been linked with the vacant post, but Royle has heard nothing from Peter Johnson and is unlikely to come out of his present retirement even if he is approached, while Fowler and Aldridge have ruled themselves out.

Caretaker manager Les Parry will continue on Saturday when Brighton & Hove Albion visit Prenton Park (kick off 3pm).

Parry was in charge when Rovers went down 1-0 on Monday night to Stockport, but he praised the Prenton fans for the backing they gave the team throughout the match.

“It’s a massive game for us against Brighton on Saturday and we need the fans to get behind us like they did against Stockport,” he said.

“The crowd were absolutely magnificent. They supported us all game, which was great to see.

“All three home sides of the ground got really behind us and we appreciate it.”

Rovers fans can take advantage of a special admission offer to watch Saturday’s game, with admission for the Brighton match reduced to just £5 for seniors and current and ex-servicemen and women as part of the club’s support of the 2009 Poppy Appeal.