[ad_1]
Nigel Pearson will be appointed the new head coach of the city of Bristol until the end of the season. The former Watford coach has been out of work since July but is ready to return to leadership in the Championship.
Pearson guided Leicester to the Premier League in 2014 and his appointment will be seen as a significant blow following the firing of Dean Holden on Tuesday. The 57-year-old is understood to have had productive talks with city officials on Sunday and is believed to be close to signing a short-term contract with a view to a longer deal.
Pearson is unlikely to take over in time for the trip to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, but he could be on the bench for the game against Swansea on Saturday.
Holden was fired after a six-game losing streak, the last of which was against Reading in the middle of the week. Former England coaches Paul Simpson and Keith Downing took over the loss to Barnsley on Saturday and are likely to remain part of Pearson’s squad.
Holden was appointed in August to a 12-month contract after a stint in the interim post following Lee Johnson’s firing. City started the season with four wins, but their promotional momentum has since stalled and Pearson, if contract formalities are completed, will take over a team that languishes in 15th place and has lost its last seven games.
Pearson was sacked by Watford last season with the club three points above the Premier League relegation zone. He left the club, which was relegated to the Championship, with the best points-per-game record (1.25) of any coach in Watford history.
In November he told The Guardian: “I can’t do things by halves. I don’t do things by halves. It is very important for me to commit to something. I will only really know when an opportunity presents itself or if I feel that grip inside me. “
Meanwhile, the Bristol Rovers will appoint Joey Barton as their new manager. The former Newcastle midfielder left Fleetwood Town last month after two and a half years in office and will succeed Paul Tisdale, who was fired nearly two weeks ago. The 38-year-old could take command in time for his League One game against Wigan on Tuesday.
