Candidates: Alloa continue manager search ahead of new season

Former manager Peter Grant's departure was announced by the club with two games to spare on April 21.

Grant took charge of the club's last two league games – a 1-1 draw with Greenock Morton and a 1-0 victory against Dunfermline Athletic – however, the club's relegation to League One had already been confirmed.

The team is currently still without a manager, and whoever takes over the reigns has a huge challenge ahead as the club look to bounce straight back into the Scottish Championship.

Here's a list of potential candidates who could be in charge at the Indodrill next season.

JIM MCINTYRE

Jim McIntyre

McIntyre has coached a number of Scottish clubs and has been out of work since leaving Dundee in 2019 following their relegation from the Scottish Premiership. He left the club the day after a victory against Livingston, however a run of 10 consecutive defeats was enough to confirm the club's relegation.

His previous role was as manager of Ross County, where he won the club's first major trophy. Taking charge in September 2014, McIntyre won the 2015-16 League Cup, defeating Celtic on the way to the final.

However, the 2017/18 league campaign never really got going, with the club dismissing McIntyre and his assistant Billy Dodds as the club sat 10th in the league, a point above the two bottom clubs.

Alloa chairman Mike Mulraney broke his mould when he hired Peter Grant following the previous appointments of younger managers such as Paul Hartley, Jack Ross and Jim Goodwin.

McIntyre knows the game well and has a wealth of experience in management, including five years at Dunfermline where he won promotion to the Scottish top-flight.

KEVIN THOMSON

Kevin Thomson

Thomson would be a similar approach to the managers previous to the departing Grant. Currently running his own academy with private tuition for players of all ages and ability, Thomson is also the B team coach at Rangers.

Speaking on the club's website last year, Thomson said: "I've got big character and big opinions, and sometimes I maybe overstep the mark at times."

He also described himself as "a bruiser, a demander and a motivator."

The challenge ahead of whoever steps in to the hotseat at Alloa is clear: promotion back to the Championship as soon as possible.

The demands from a B team to an established side looking to bounce back will be vast, and it will be a risk to hire someone with no experience of senior management.

However, the appointments of Hartley, Ross and Goodwin have proved that the right manager can do the right thing, regardless of experience.

MARK KERR

Mark Kerr

Former Ayr United manager Mark Kerr has been out of work since leaving the club by mutual consent on February 28, 2021.

Kerr joined the club in 2018 and stepped up to the manager role in October the following year after the departure of Ian McCall.

His first season proved successful as the club finished fourth in the Championship following the early termination of the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the following season proved more difficult as the club struggled to maintain a positive run of results. Kerr's side did defeat Alloa in both matches last season before he departed.

Kerr's time as manager was ended after a 1-0 defeat to Arbroath, the club's third successive defeat, which left them, at the time, just four points above Alloa at the bottom of the table.

ANDY GRAHAM

Alloa skipper Andy Graham

Perhaps the most unlikely name on the list due to a desire to make up for lost time, Graham, Alloa's captain, would be a similar appointment to Goodwin.

The Wasps skipper was sidelined from December 2019 and played just one minute of football before he made his first start for the club in November last year.

After a disappointing end to his first season back from injury, the captain will surely be looking to help the club get back to the Championship.

Whether that is as a player or manager, Graham certainly has lost time to make up for and would seem to be in no rush to hang up the boots just yet.

DARREN YOUNG

Darren Young in action for Alloa in 2012

Currently managing East Fife in League One, Young knows Alloa having played for and captained the side to promotions and Championship survival. He has been linked with the job in the past but distanced himself.

The club were able to retain their position in League One for next season, and Young would have to make the decision about which team he would like to manage.

Having picked up five manager of the month awards across two divisions in six years of management, Young has plenty of managerial experience and knows players and staff at the club from his time there, including Kevin Cawley and assistant manager Paddy Connolly.

PAUL HARTLEY

Paul Hartley

Former Alloa manager Hartley is unlikely to return to the Indodrill after a spell as manager between 2011-14 and resigned from the club after a 5-1 defeat to Dumbarton.

Hartley's time at Alloa was largely successful. He lead the club to successive promotions, taking the Wasps from League Two into the Championship.

His Cove team came from behind twice to beat Alloa 3-2 in the Scottish Cup last season and were by far the better team on the day.

Hartley's men are currently in the League One play-offs and have a chance of making it to the Championship.

They drew 1-1 with Airdrieonians on Saturday and played the second-leg semi-final last night after Advertiser Sport went to print.