Knill runs out of time as Gulls prepare to swoop for new manager

One Knill to the job centre. A late Christmas gift to headline writers and pun fans, the sacking of Alan Knill has seen Torquay United become the butt of online jokes across the country, but for Gulls fans this season has been no laughing matter.

Despite keeping the Gulls up last season and overseeing what seemed like a positive recruitment drive in the summer, things just haven’t worked out for Knill at Plainmoor. Two home wins all season is a poor return, and rumoured rows with senior players, constant changes in personnel and formations and a constant revolving door transfer policy saw fans eventually become impatient with the former Bury and Scunthorpe man.

One feels the decision has been made at the right time, despite protestations to the contrary from many of the TQ1 faithful, who felt the decision should have been made much earlier. There have been some improvements in terms of performances and results in the last few weeks, but, ultimately, it was two consecutive Devon Derby defeats within five days that did for Knill. Indeed, following the 2-0 defeat away to Plymouth, Knill sounded like a manager who had nothing left to give, and even his strongest supporters had to admit it. His time was up.

The Gulls are far from cut adrift in 23^rd position and are only a point away from safety.  Now in the January transfer window, the new man will be given the opportunity to make changes to the squad where he sees fit. And with crucial home matches against relegation rivals Northampton, Accrington and Bury to come in the next two months, it was the right time to make a change.

The next appointment is a crucial one and promoting from within may be the answer. Geoff Harrop and Robbie Herrara are currently the men in temporary charge, and though they possess no managerial experience, are people who know the club through working with the youth set up. A positive result against Morecambe tomorrow may go some way to them getting the job – at least until the end of the season.  Fans may see this as the cheap and uninspiring option, however.

Bringing back Martin Ling would surely be a mistake. The former Leyton Orient manager has expressed an interest in returning to Plainmoor, after being sacked by the club in April for footballing reasons. Given the nature of his departure (he accused the club of being ‘unprofessional’ in their treatment of him after taking time off for a stress related illness), it would surely be unwise to go back.

The smart money would appear to be on the bookies favourite Chris Hargreaves to take the role going forward. The former player remains popular with Torquay fans and though he lacks managerial experience would undoubtedly bring passion to the role. Currently working as a first-team coach with Bournemouth, The Gulls appear to be in direct competition with relegation rivals Northampton Town for Hargreaves' signature. With Hargreaves still living in Devon, this may be one of those rare cases where Torquay’s remote location works in the club’s favour. 

The board may decide to go with experience, however, and Paul Sturrock is a name being mentioned in many quarters. The 57 year old has the know-how and the contacts to make an impression, and is currently unemployed after what some would say was an unjust dismissal last season at Southend, so compensation would not be an issue.  He would be this writers choice.

Whoever the new manager is, he will have some quality to work with, and will be charged with inspiring a squad low on confidence – particularly at Plainmoor, where the Gulls have scored a paltry 11 goals all season.  Winger Jordan Chapell has been a bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming season, Aaron Downes has led from example from the back and has chipped in with some crucial goals, and there have been flashes of quality in many of Knill’s signings – John Marquis, Damien Mozika and Jak McCourt should be retained if possible alongside the impressive Blackburn Rovers defender Anthony O’Connor, who has already agreed to stay at Plainmoor for the remainder of the season. The curious case of Kevin Nicholson will also need be addressed – discarded from the first team squad by Knill – the experienced left-back may have a role to play in the coming months.

Of course, Torquay United have been here many times before, and relegation escape acts used to be something of a speciality until the club’s luck finally ran out in 2007. They must ensure they don’t make the same mistake twice. The Gulls' league status depends on the board getting this decision right.