3 Andy Crosby replacements Tranmere Rovers must consider ASAP ft. ex-Wigan Athletic manager | OneFootball

We look at three managers Tranmere Rovers should consider following the sacking of Andy Crosby.

Tranmere Rovers are starting the hunt for a new manager after parting company with Andy Crosby on Wednesday.

Crosby initially took over at Tranmere on an interim basis last February following the sacking of Nigel Adkins, and after successfully keeping the club in League Two last season, he was handed the permanent job in the summer.

After a solid first half of the season, Rovers were sitting comfortably in mid-table at the turn of the year, but a run of 13 defeats in their last 16 games has seen them slide towards the relegation zone.

Amid increasing calls from supporters for a managerial change, Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Newport County proved to be the final straw for the Tranmere hierarchy, and Crosby departs with the club 19th in the table, just eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Andy Parkinson will be in caretaker charge for the game against Oldham Athletic at Prenton Park on Saturday, but as Rovers begin their search for Crosby's permanent replacement, here are three names they should consider.

Ryan Lowe

With fan unrest growing, there is pressure on the Tranmere board to get this appointment right, and if they are keen to make an ambitious choice to get supporters back on side, Ryan Lowe could be the perfect candidate.

It was not too long ago that Lowe regularly had Preston North End in play-off contention in the Championship, but after resigning from his role at Deepdale just one game into last season, he dropped down to League One for his next managerial post with Wigan Athletic last March.

However, it did not work out for Lowe at the Brick Community Stadium, and he was sacked by the Latics last month with the club sitting in the relegation zone, leaving his career at something of a crossroads as he searches for his next opportunity.

After his disappointing spell at Wigan, Lowe may need to consider the possibility of managing in League Two, a division he previously won promotion from on two occasions with Bury and Plymouth Argyle, and having represented Tranmere during his playing days, he may be tempted by a return to Prenton Park - although could it be too raw and soon after his recent dismissal?

Pete Wild

If Tranmere are looking for a manager with more recent League Two experience than Lowe to help get them out of their current predicament, Pete Wild could be a strong option.

Wild began his senior managerial career with Oldham Athletic before an impressive three-year spell in the National League with FC Halifax Town earned him a move back to the EFL with Barrow in May 2022.

The 41-year-old narrowly missed out on the play-offs with the Bluebirds in his two seasons in charge before departing the club, but he did not have to wait too long for his next managerial opportunity, taking over at Fleetwood Town in December 2024.

It is fair to say Wild's time with the Cod Army never really got going, and he was dismissed in January after a run of six defeats in seven games, but while he struggled to make an impact at Highbury Stadium, he certainly deserves another chance in the fourth tier.

Darrell Clarke

Another out of work manager who should be in the frame for the Tranmere vacancy is former Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke.

Clarke has had plenty of success in his managerial career, most notably leading the Gas to back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One during his first spell at the club, as well as winning the League Two play-offs with Port Vale in 2022.

The 48-year-old returned to Bristol Rovers in the summer following their relegation from the third tier, but he endured a nightmare second stint at the Memorial Stadium, and he was sacked in December after a horror run of 10 straight defeats that saw his side drop into the relegation zone.

However, it was only less than a year ago that Clarke was managing in League One with Barnsley, and while it is difficult to know exactly what to expect from him given his mixed recent record, there is no doubt that he is capable of delivering success in the right environment.