Pontypridd United and Andrew Stokes last week parted ways – and the search for a successor is underway.
The former Pontardawe Town boss announced he would be stepping down from his post at the USW Sport Park, and that his assistant manager Danny Thomas would be following him.
Former Dragons boss Lee Kendall who would have been considered a strong contender for the role, is to also leave Pontypridd. Kendall who returned as goalkeeping coach having left Barry Town will leave after their game against Colwyn Bay, which is the expiration of his contract.
It begs the question now as to who will take the Pontypridd job. Whoever takes over, will be inheriting a side that is rock bottom of the Cymru Premier and five points adrift of safety. Pontypridd have until January 27 in what is likely to be the date of their first game of Phase Two.
Add into the mix the January transfer window being open and the need to bring in reinforcements, and the manager’s job at Ponty will be a tough one for whoever walks into Stokes’ shoes. Here is who we think could be considered for the role.
Kevin Nicholson
Nicholson remains based in Cardiff following his spell in charge of the Bluebirds’ under-21’s from 2013 to 2016. For the last 16 months, he has been the Global Lead of Football Development for Double Pass which specialises in youth football.
Since leaving Cardiff City, he’s been a Coaching Auditor for the Premier League, a coach for Northern Ireland’s under-17’s team, and a Coach Educator at Everton.
Nicholson was the manager of Bangor City from May 2017 to May 2018 and guided them to their highest finish in six years. Despite leading them to a second-placed finish, he left the Citizens however after they failed to obtain a Tier One Licence and were relegated to the Cymru North.
His other involvement in Welsh domestic football was that he was first-team coach under Gavin Chesterfield for a brief spell in 2022. He has also conducted training sessions with South Wales clubs such as Cardiff Draconians and Newport City.
The 43-year-old holds the UEFA Pro Licence and should he first guide Pontypridd to safety – he has the necessary qualification should they wish to compete for European football.
He has retained an interest in Welsh domestic football, and there is a feeling of unfinished business, so Pontypridd would be wise to entertain talks with Nicholson.
Lee John
Currently second in a title race with Briton Ferry Llansawel, Carmarthen Town, and Afan Lido. John’s Llanelli Town are five points behind Ferry with a game in hand over the Reds.
The 39-year-old has done his grounding as a manager having spent a long stint at Goytre United before getting the Stebonheath Park hot seat in November 2021. John has guided the club to ninth and second-placed finishes and has got a fine tune out of working with the young players at his disposal.
If you want proof that John is capable of managing in the Cymru Premier, then you only have to look at how Llanelli Town knocked out Penybont in the Welsh Cup beating them on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The title race is still wide open with a little over half the season remaining, and would John swap a promotion race for a relegation battle? It remains to be seen. It feels like John is two-years deep into a project at Llanelli Town, and may feel inclined to stay at Stebo.
Embed from Getty ImagesMark Sampson
This would be somewhat of an ambitious appointment. It’s believed that Sampson is a name that has been suggested before for the job.
The Cregiau-born defender was previously the manager of Taffs Well, where he avoided relegation with the Wellmen. He was also the manager of Bristol City’s Women’s team, and led the Vixens to the FA Women’s Cup final in 2011, whilst also guiding them into the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Sampson can be credited for revolutionaising the England Women’s national team, and helping them to a third-placed finish in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
He was the first-team head coach at Stevenage for over two years working under Dino Maamria and Graham Westley, and also managed the Hertfordshire outfit on an interim basis. Sampson is now working for CoachBetter.com as their Head of Partnerships and Technical Director, and so a move back to Wales would be unlikely at this stage.
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