NIGEL PEARSON: BRISTOL CITY APPOINT EX-LEICESTER MANAGER

Featured Image Credit: The Times

Bristol City appoint ex-Leicester City and Watford manager Nigel Pearson as Dean Holden’s successor

A week after sacking head coach Dean Holden, Bristol City have appointed former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson to take charge of the Robins until the end of the season.

Pearson will work with existing back room team of Keith Downing and Paul Simpson as the Robins aim to remain in the Championship and possibly dream of the play-offs.

Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown stated on Friday night that the club would take their time to get this appointment right, but an insipid display against Barnsley this weekend has sped up the process.

There have been reports that the Robin’s attempted to lure Eddie Howe to the south west, but he is believed to be holding out for a Premier League job.

Pearson has great experience in the Championship, taking Leicester City to the Premier League and keeping them up to set up Claudio Ranieri’s title winning team.

Pearson last managed Watford, beating Liverpool to end their unbeaten run that season, before being sacked with the Hornets three points above the relegation zone with two games remaining.

Watford were then relegated after his departure but having suffered with Covid-19, Pearson suffered with rheumatoid arthritis which left him often struggling to move.

Bristol City have struggled of recent; they haven’t scored in seven hours of football and have an expected goal of 0.87 across their last four league games.

Their attacking threat has been absent, despite a striking quartet of Famara Diedhiou, Nahki Wells, Antoine Semenyo and Chris Martin the Robins have been unable to test opposition keepers.

Pearson will have a limited selection to choose from, with an extensive injury list that have recently had the additions of young winger Owura Edwards and a possible injury to January signing Henri Lansbury.

The job will be simple for the ex-Middlesbrough defender, to keep the Robins away from relegation, after recent results have pulled them to 15th in the table and 10 points from the play-offs.

He will be in the stands for City’s trip to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, 23 but will then take charge in the lead up to the trip over the Severn Bridge to face Swansea City.