Watford last two managers have been appointed from within

Portsmouth appointed West Bromwich Albion’s assistant head coach, Michael Appleton, as their new manager this week after Steve Cotterill’s departure to Nottingham Forest. The move continues the recent trend in the Championship of clubs appointing from within or giving coaches from other clubs their first break in management.

Each appointment is taken on its merits and chairmen up and down the country are hoping that the new manager is their best yet. However, with finances getting tighter, clubs are looking for cheaper solutions as well as fresh ideas and this is giving a new generation of managers their first chance in the hot seat.

A look at the Championship shows that taking this route can be one of success for the club and their manager.

Watford, where a lot of young talent has come through over the years (Ashley Young a prime example), is also a club not shy to give aspiring managers a platform.

Brendan Rodgers got his break coming from Chelsea’s coaching set-up and was followed by Malky Mackay, who made a move from his coaching position at Vicarage Road. The success of both attracted the attention of other clubs and with the courage of their convictions, the Hornets again appointed from within for Mackay’s successor, Sean Dyche.

Crystal Palace too have taken this route with former player Dougie Freedman handed the reins in January after a short spell in the coaching set-up. Freedman steered the Eagles clear of the relegation zone last season and has quietly developed a squad which looks comfortable in the league.

Keith Millen (though an experienced football man) who was recently sacked by Bristol City, was another given a chance from the coaching set-up, though with less success.

There are experienced managers who have had success at this level looking for work with Steve Coppell, who recently expressed a desire to return to the dug-out, joined by the likes of Billy Davies, Dave Jones, Aidy Boothroyd and Sean O’Driscoll. Despite this, chairmen are beginning to be bolder in their appointments and are looking in a new direction.

After their relative success at Watford, Reading pounced for Rodgers and Cardiff for Mackay. Eddie Howe, now at Burnley, cut his teeth at Bournemouth as the youngest manager in the Football League. And early contender for Manager of the Season, Nigel Adkins at Southampton, got his chance in Championship at Scunthorpe after a spell as the club physiotherapist.

Both Brian McDermott at Reading and Andy Thorn at Coventry were scouts for their respective clubs before persuading their respective chairmen to take a chance.

This trend is not exclusive to the Championship; League One leaders at the time of writing, Charlton, appointed Chris Powell to his first assignment and after a slow start his side has kicked on as they seek a Championship return. Lee Clark, whose Huddersfield side are undefeated in the league this calendar year, was a young assistant to Glenn Roeder at Norwich.

These success stories added to the additional financial burdens on Football League clubs will only serve to incentivise chairmen to give opportunities to aspiring young managers.

Older heads will, however, always have a place to help guide and develop young managers to reach their potential. Indeed, Dougie Freedman has called his experienced assistant Lenny Lawrence his best signing.

The opportunities now being given are as crucial as the education young coaches will receive at St George’s Park National Football Centre when it opens in 2012 to ensure English football can thrive and continue to compete. It remains to be seen, however, whether Premier League chairmen who are under a different sort of financial pressure, will be as bold as their Football League counterparts.