Football / Bristol City
Dean Holden sacked as Bristol City manager
Dean Holden was sacked late on Tuesday evening after Bristol City had suffered their sixth consecutive defeat.
Holden did not attend the usual manager’s press conference after his team was beaten 2-0 by Reading at Ashton Gate, instead being told by the club’s hierarchy that he was being fired.
His dismissal means that both of Bristol’s professional men’s football clubs currently do not have a manager, with Rovers boss Paul Tisdale sacked last week.
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In a statement, Bristol City said: “Dean Holden has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
“Following a sixth successive defeat, the Bristol City Board have decided that a change of Head Coach is necessary.
“Assistant Head Coaches Paul Simpson and Keith Downing will take charge of training until further notice.
“The club would like to thank Dean for his service to the club over the years and we wish him well for the future.
“There will be no further comment at this stage.”
Dean Holden on the touchline at Ashton Gate on Tuesday in his final game in charge of Bristol City – photo: JMP
Holden was former City manager Lee Johnson’s assistant before being promoted to head coach after Johnson was sacked.
The 41-year-old former defender was popular with fans but hampered by injuries to players and inactivity by the club in the transfer market during his brief tenure.
He was appointed in August 2020 after more than a month of searching, with City chief executive Mark Ashton now in charge of finding a successor.
Early names in contention include Nigel Pearson, the former Leicester City, Derby County and Watford manager, who has been out of a job since leaving Vicarage Road in July 2020.
Main photo: JMP
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