Cheltenham Town’s managerial hunt could lead to ‘left-field’ option amid Steve Cotterill links

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Cheltenham Town are already searching for a new manager this season and EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal the Robins are considering a ‘surprise’ option.

Michael Flynn was sacked by the League Two side after they suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Oldham Athletic last weekend, leaving them bottom of the fourth tier.

Former Cheltenham and Birmingham City manager Steve Cotterill has been linked with a return to his home town and former club to replace him. Cotterill managed over 300 games at Whaddon Road from 1997 to 2002.

However, Cheltenham may not go for the experienced boss, and choose another man who shone in the National League in recent years instead.

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Cheltenham Town could replace Michael Flynn with Adam Hinshelwood

EFL Analysis’ chief football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, says Cheltenham’s new owner Mike Garlick, who was previously chairman at Burnley, has plenty of experience when it comes to finding new managers and will want to get his first appointment right.

He said: “Obviously Mike Garlick has got a lot of experience around the leagues. I think it’s quite an exciting time for Cheltenham in some regards. Obviously, we have seen Steve Cotterill linked but I think it’s an intriguing situation now and I hear Adam Hinshelwood, the old York City manager, could be one to watch. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s there as he did a really good job at York to be fair.

“I think we might see someone interesting there. I think Mike Garlick knows what he’s doing. He has to show everyone, it has to be the right appointment because if he doesn’t get this right they’re going down.

“Cotterill is good, I’ve nothing against that idea, but I think we see something more interesting, more left-field. I think there will be a surprise.”

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Hinshelwood left York at the end of August after picking up one win in their opening four league games. They narrowly lost out on promotion to League Two last season by missing the automatics by six points and losing the play-offs.

What’s going wrong for Cheltenham Town this season?

Oldham Athletic won the play-offs last term and Cheltenham’s loss to The Latics was the final straw for Garlick regarding Flynn’s future.

Cheltenham were relegated from League One in 2024 and finished 15th last term.

However, the Robins now sit at the foot of the Football League, picking up just four points in nine games. That included one win, one draw and seven losses.

Cheltenham face fifth place Grimsby Town on Saturday afternoon and will be hoping to stop the rot.