Sheffield Wednesday: Ian Holloway talks up legendary former England defender as managerial candidate

Former Premier League manager Ian Holloway has endorsed Sol Campbell as a potential candidate for the vacant Sheffield Wednesday manager’s job.
Ian Holloway has urged Sheffield Wednesday to consider Sol Campbell as their new manager.Ian Holloway has urged Sheffield Wednesday to consider Sol Campbell as their new manager.
Ian Holloway has urged Sheffield Wednesday to consider Sol Campbell as their new manager.

The left-field name, who is out of work off the back of short-term spell at Macclesfield, would provide a big-name alternative to the candidacy of caretaker boss Lee Bullen, who is the bookies’ favourite having taken the club to the Championship’s upper reaches after two wins from three matches.

But Holloway, who is believed to have applied for the job after Steve Bruce left over a month ago, said in his column for The Sack Race: “It wouldn’t be a shock to me if Sol Campbell became the new manager of either Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday.

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“He was a wonderful player, an England and Arsenal legend, who now has experience of how tough it is as a manager.

“Maybe he’s now earned his stripes and deserves the chance to manage in the Championship. I don’t think either club would go wrong if they gave him the job.”

Campbell, 44, left Macclesfield Town after keeping them in the football league despite dire financial circumstances.

“He’s learnt an awful lot and done very well,” said Holloway. “I’m sure he’d bring that experience of being a central defender to the Championship.

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“I feel much more comfortable now he has had a taste of management and been successful. Campbell stuck it out whereas Paul Scholes at Oldham couldn’t deal with it.

“Everything was going wrong there but I’m sure it was a similar situation at Macclesfield, but Campbell dealt with it, and it was a great learning curve. So why not give him a try in the Championship? What an opportunity that would be.

“The only thing I would say is Campbell did talk himself up a few years ago, which was a dangerous thing to do. But by going to Macclesfield and to do what he’s done, everybody now would feel ‘well done son’. It’s alright talking a good game, but he’s actually gone and done one.

“He now realises how tough it all is and that everything isn’t all rose tinted. You learn from toughness and he’s definitely shown he can handle it.”