Five managers Rhyl could consider, including ex-Wrexham midfielder and former Bolton man
Asa Hamilton (L), Lee Fowler (C), and Nathan Leonard (R) would be good candidates for the Rhyl job.
Rhyl could turn to several experienced Welsh football figures as they look to appoint a new manager following the sacking of Paul Moore.
The Lilywhites are now faced with the task of finding the right person to take charge, with the club’s size, history and ambitions likely to make the vacancy an attractive proposition for potential candidates.
In a statement confirming the decision, the club said recent results had fallen short of expectations, but stressed its ambition to reach the top tier of Welsh football remained unchanged.
“While recent results have not met our expectations this season, everyone at the club remains committed to our ambitions on and off the pitch, and we believe that now is the right time to make a managerial change. This decision was not made lightly and is aligned with the club’s long-term goal of reaching the top tier of Welsh football.
“We will begin the process to recruit a new manager immediately.”
With the recruitment process set to begin straight away, there are several names who could come into consideration, ranging from familiar faces with experience in the Cymru North to managers who have impressed further down the Welsh football pyramid.
Lee Fowler could be a natural fit for Rhyl
Lee Fowler could be an intriguing option for Rhyl following his recent departure from Flint Town United, although it remains to be seen whether he would be interested in an immediate return to football or prefer to take a break after a demanding spell at the club.
Fowler is a big personality who is not afraid to speak his mind and has built a reputation for getting the best out of players who might otherwise be overlooked. His ability to take unfancied or unwanted footballers and turn them into key performers could appeal to Rhyl as they look to find the right manager to match their ambitions.
The Lilywhites are a club with considerable history and stature in Welsh football, and the vacancy presents an opportunity for a manager capable of handling the expectations that come with the role. Fowler’s approach and personality could make him an interesting candidate, particularly if Rhyl are looking for someone who can get more out of the players at his disposal.
However, whether Fowler is ready to return to management so soon after leaving Flint remains unclear. His availability puts him among the names worth considering, but any potential move would depend on both the club’s interest and his own appetite for another challenge.
Asa Hamilton could bring personality and ambition to Rhyl
Asa Hamilton is another manager who could enter the conversation after making a positive impression during his time at Buckley Town.
Hamilton’s first opportunity in management came when a manager departed, and as the most senior player, he was entrusted with the caretaker reins, but he did enough to earn the position on a permanent basis. His first full season brought a fifth-place finish, although Buckley subsequently finished 13th last season.
Hamilton has since explained his decision to leave the club, suggesting his personal ambitions no longer aligned with those of Buckley.
“I feel like I’ve left the club in a better position than when I first took over; we were bottom of the league,” he said.
“To be honest, my ambitions are probably a little bit bigger than the club’s ambition. I decided to leave; the coaches have left with me.”
Hamilton also made clear that he felt he had taken the club as far as he could, while underlining his desire to succeed.
“There’s only so much one man can do; I couldn’t do anymore. I’m not a loser; I like to win. If it’s spinning a coin or whatever, I want to win. Sometimes your ambition is more than what other people want.”
Those comments could make Hamilton an interesting name to consider for Rhyl, a club with ambitions of reaching the top tier of Welsh football.
His personality and willingness to speak openly could appeal to a club looking for a manager capable of commanding respect in the dressing room.
His record of taking over a side at the bottom of the league and guiding Buckley to a fifth-place finish in his first full season also offers a positive indication of what he can achieve.
Whether Rhyl would be a suitable next step for Hamilton remains to be seen, but his stated ambitions could make the vacancy an intriguing possibility.
Nathan Leonard offers experience across the Cymru North
Nathan Leonard would offer Rhyl an option with a decent amount of experience across the Cymru North.
He has been out of work since parting company with Newtown in the summer and could be available if Rhyl decide to pursue a manager with knowledge of the division.
Leonard has held roles at Guilsfield, Newtown and Gresford Athletic, giving him experience of different clubs and the challenges involved in competing in Welsh football.
His familiarity with the league could be valuable as Rhyl look for someone capable of making an immediate impact, rather than needing an extended period to understand the competition and its demands.
Chris Morrell’s defensive record could appeal to Rhyl
Chris Morrell is another candidate who could be considered, particularly given his work at Llannefydd and his experience coaching in the local area.
Morrell is an experienced coach who holds a UEFA A Licence and has previously managed St Asaph City and Rhuddlan Town. He has also had a short spell in charge of Rhyl’s fierce rivals Prestatyn Town, adding another interesting dimension to his potential candidacy.
His current work at Llannefydd is likely to attract attention. The club finished third last season and are competing near the top of the Ardal North West this term, sitting behind leaders Trearddur Bay only on goal difference.
Llannefydd have also established themselves as one of the division’s stronger defensive sides, with only Prestatyn Town having conceded fewer goals.
That defensive organisation could be an attractive quality for Rhyl if the club’s priority is to build a more consistent side capable of competing over a full campaign.
Morrell’s coaching qualifications, local knowledge and experience managing at different levels of the Welsh pyramid would give him a credible case. However, any potential move would depend on Rhyl’s interest and whether he would be willing to leave his current project at Llannefydd.
Neil Danns would be an ambitious and unexpected appointment
Neil Danns would arguably be the most left-field option on this list, but his recent experience in English non-league football could make him an intriguing candidate.
Danns recently stood down as manager of National League North side Southport, having been appointed in May 2025. His only involvement in the Cymru Leagues has been as a former player with Connah’s Quay Nomads, meaning a move to Rhyl would represent a return to Welsh football in a different capacity.
His record at Southport offers some encouragement. Across 63 matches, Danns recorded 24 wins, 15 draws and 24 defeats, giving him a winning percentage of 38 per cent.
On that measure, he leaves with the best winning percentage of any Southport manager since former Bangor City coach Alan Lewer in 2017. Results improved as the campaign developed, with Southport becoming a more competitive side before finishing 14th.
The standout achievement of his time at the club was the FA Trophy run, which took Southport to within one game of Wembley.
Danns would bring a different background to the other names on the list, along with experience of managing in a demanding English non-league environment. His relative lack of managerial experience in the Cymru Leagues could be a consideration, but his record at Southport suggests he should not be dismissed out of hand.
Ultimately, the club’s decision will depend on the direction it wants to take following Moore’s departure. Fowler offers familiarity and personality, Hamilton and Leonard bring knowledge of the Cymru North, Morrell has built a strong reputation through his coaching and defensive organisation, while Danns would provide a more unconventional option.
None of the five has been confirmed as a candidate, but each offers a different route for Rhyl as they look to find the right manager for their next chapter.
