Four losses in a row and just four points above the relegation zone has seen another manager bite the dust, in the form of Paul Hurst, alongside his assistant Chris Doig. Having taken charge of the Mariners at the end of 2020 when Ian Holloway left, he oversaw both the relegation to the National League and the immediate promotion back to Football League 2 in the previous years, achieving 11th last season. So was it just the recent run of form that saw his demise, or has there been a bigger issue.
Achieving just one win a month since August, with a victory over Salford City on the 15th August, a win over Gillingham on the 2nd September and then a win over Barrow on the 3rd October, the last four games pale in comparison to the multi-month nightmare they’ve endured. While Hurst had become a much-loved addition to the club, no amount of good faith and hope could have superseded the frustration felt by both the fans and the board. But with a long-serving manager now departing, just who are Grimsby Town looking at to take over the role?
According to BetVictor, at the time of writing, four faces are in contention to take on the role according to the next Grimsby Town manager odds. With Leam Richardson and David Artell both at 8/1*, meaning a £10 bet would secure a £90 return, the bookies are looking more to the other two names on the shortlist. While both are at 6/1*, where a £10 bet would land a £70 payout, Phil Parkinson and Graham Alexander’s inclusion could be confusing for some. Alexander was only recently appointed and then let go from MK Dons, but having won Manager of the month in August winning 4 out of 5 games, he lasted just 11 more dismal games before being released, something that can’t inspire confidence for Grimsby Town. Parkinson on the other hand, is currently an active manager at Altrincham, who sit 5th in the National League. With 3 wins and 2 draws from his last 5 league games, it would be difficult to see why the Robins would let him leave having just signed a new 2-year contract in June this year, yet he is joint 1st in the prospect list to take over from Hurst.
At the end of the day, ahead of their upcoming FA Cup 1st Round match against Slough Town this weekend, Grimsby Town need a solution to their problems and fast. Whether the next Grimsby Town odds on who will be the next manager are right or wrong, the club need to take decisive action to overcome their previous poor run of form and get out of the way of the relegation zone. Browse all our football odds at BetVictor to see all our Manager betting markets, Premier League odds and more.
*All odds are correct at time of writing but are subject to change.
