Five EFL managers who will make their name in 2022/23

Graham Potter, Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe and David Moyes all cut their managerial cloth in the Football League (now EFL) and have since gone on to make waves in the Premier League – but who are the next batch of top gaffers coming through?

In no particular order, Gabriel Sutton picks out five EFL managers who could be in-line for promising 2022/23 seasons...

1. Pete Wild

Pete Wild is overdue another shot in the EFL.

He worked wonders at Oldham, leading the Latics to a Play-Off challenge in difficult circumstances in 2018/19 and a famous FA Cup win at Fulham, before guiding Halifax to National League promotion contention on a low budget.

Two Play-Off finishes in three seasons is a phenomenal achievement, akin to now Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley getting Braintree Town into the top five as a part-time club back in 2015/16.

Although matters stabilized off the field through Wild’s stay at the Shay, what he inherited was chaotic to say the least and the Yorkshire club were National League relegation favourites in 2019/20.

They achieved a top seven berth that year, though, and while efforts the following season were undermined by injuries, Wild took much credit for the development of playmaker Jack Earing and defender Neill Byrne, who subsequently earnt EFL moves.

In 2021/22, Halifax have been the non-league defensive kings, thanks to the partnership of Niall Maher and Tom Bradbury at the back.

Wild has shown himself capable of rebuilding teams quickly and will relish the template he has at Barrow, who already have a reasonable first XI in most positions.

While the Bluebirds’ first two seasons in the EFL have been dogfights, that has mainly been because they have not had the right management, or enough depth.

In 2020/21, they had a very good striker in Scott Quigley but the service to him was mixed, whereas in 2021/22, their key front-man was at Stockport and did not provide the clinical presence, but the midfield was strong.

Ollie Banks has left, but Robbie Gotts and John Rooney have far more ability than their place at the bottom end of League Two suggests, and the balance of the midfield could be stronger if Solomon Nwabuokei is the tenacious midfielder they missed last season. 

The likes of Joe Grayson and Patrick Brough, meanwhile, provide a left-side with potential in the right formation.

Wild will engage with fans and has excellent man management qualities, which could make him a Holker Street hit.

Expectations are modest for the Bluebirds but with a fair wind, fans could be going Wild.

Barrow are 12/1 outsiders for a promotion up to League One.

2. James Rowberry

High-profile ex-players find it easy to get jobs in professional management because of their reputation, and the marketing opportunities they come with.

James Rowberry, on the other hand, retired aged 21 to focus on coaching, so in some respects he’s been working for 16 years towards this chance with the Exiles.

Rowberry arrived at Rodney Parade highly recommended up the road at Cardiff, where he worked as Academy Manager for stints as well as first team coach.

We have already seen Newport play fluid, one-touch football under Rowberry’s guidance, in an expressive 4-2-2-2 system that had a lot to do with most of the 25 goals Dom Telford, now at Crawley, scored last season.

Offrande Zanzala, Chanka Zimba and – if rumours are to be believed – Omar Bogle, will get chances next season: either could be among the top goalscorers.

Rowberry has used his Cardiff connections to land all-action midfielder Sam Bowen, while Aaron Wildig and Declan Drysdale are excellent acquisitions for the Exiles.

Rob Edwards earnt a big Championship move from League Two this summer – if the next 12 months go as hoped, Rowberry could be next on the shortlist for open-minded second-tier clubs.

Newport can currently be backed at 25/1 to win League Two and 6/1 to achieve promotion.

3. Ian Burchnall

Having previously plied his coaching trade in Sweden, Ian Burchnall has fostered a reputation as a process-driven coach.

Burchnall was unable to win promotion from the National League with Notts County, but the Magpies at their best were breathtaking: they hit three or more goals on 13 occasions.

It will be difficult to replace Rob Edwards, departed for Forest Green this summer, but with similar tactics the sense of transition as it might look on paper.

Corey O’Keeffe and Armani Little are good replacements for Kane Wilson and Ebou Adams respectively, while technical wing-back Harry Boyes’ arrival on loan from Sheffield United pre-empts the loss of Nicky Cadden.

Implementing the same progressive ideas will be harder in a higher division, and sometimes Burchnall’s side will be caught out by teams that press brilliantly or are devastating on the counter-attack, but they will also unexpectedly outplay some opponents as well.

Forest Green bring a clear playing identity into the third tier despite the change in the dugout and, if Burchnall has learnt a thing or two from his time working with Graham Potter, then perhaps his side can target more than mere survival.

Forest Green Rovers can be backed at 14/1 to record a second successive promotion.

4. Vincent Kompany

It hasn’t been exactly a flying start to life in management for Vincent Kompany, at least in comparison with his glittering playing career.

Fourth and third Jupiler Pro League finishes seems a tad below-par for Anderlecht, at least on the face of things for humble outsiders, with the 34-time champions of Belgium failing to qualify for the Europa League Group Stage.

Insiders at Lotto Park (formerly Constant Vanden Stock) see progress made under the former Man City centre-back, but argue the board are impatient and unrealistic in their demands.

Another factor is that Kompany’s wife and kids were still based in Manchester, and the absence of a family network can take its toll.

Despite this, ‘Vinnie’ is popular with the players: the below video highlights not only the passion and poise with which he speaks, but also the authority he commands in the dressing room and on the sidelines.

Kompany is now back in English football with Burnley. “I’ve been impressed by the Board’s vision for the club which aligns with my own and I look forward to playing my part as we enter an important season,” he said upon his appointment this summer.

The Clarets are hoping to retain the core principles that Sean Dyche imposed in his legendary tenure, which earnt the club a combined seven years of Premier League football, whilst becoming better rounded technically and tactically.

The signing of Scott Twine helps, after the forward scored 20 and laid on 13 for MK Dons in League One last season; also stepping up from that level is Luke McNally, a fine pickup from Oxford with huge potential.

Jackson Muleka, reportedly set to join from £3.5m from Standard Liege, will bring poaching instincts if nothing else – the Congo international hit 12 in 14 on loan at Kasımpaşa S.K. in Turkey’s Süper Lig.

Kompany might be fortunate that his elite playing reputation is a factor in landing what is notionally a top-end Championship job, but he has the presence to make it count.

Burnley are priced at 4/1 to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and 14/1 to claim the Championship title.