Steve Cotterill: Fact File

New Forest boss Steve Cotterill may not be the fans number one choice to fill the void left by Steve McClaren, but a quick scan of his managerial record, suggests he may be a better appointment than many supporters initially believe.

Cotterill's playing career ended abruptly due to a knee injury in 1995 at Bournemouth. He was a striker and became a fans favourite in his 3 years at Dean Court.

1995-96: His first step into management took him to the League of Ireland, where he took charge of Sligo Rovers. He took the Irish minnows into Europe and the group stages of the Intertoto Cup.

1997-2002: Cotterill was appointed manager of Non-League Cheltenham Town in 1997 and won promotion to the Football League in 2000. In 2002, he won promotion to the 2nd division via the Playoffs and in his 5 years at he club, he picked up 2 Manager of the Year Awards.

2002 (13 games). In 2002 Cotterill became manager of Stoke City, but only stayed for 13 games, having left to take up the Assistant Manager's role at struggling Sunderland under Howard Wikinson. The pair only lasted 20 games at the Stadium of Light and were sacked following the clubs' relegation from the Premiership.

2004-2007: After a brief spell out of the game, Cotterill went to Burnley. He enjoyed a relatively successful period at Turf Moor, but left the club in 2007 by mutual consent, after a poor run of form saw the club finish a disappointing 15th in the table.

2010 (18 games): Notts County became the next port of call for Cotterill and in his 18 games in charge, he guided the club to promotion to League 1.

2010-2011: Cotterill joined Porstsmouth in 2010 and took over a club not only on the brink of extinction, but also one in financial meltdown. Apart from being unable to bring in new talent, he was tasked with the job of selling off his better players and high earners, in an effort to reduce costs. His first season in charge saw him unable to name enough players to fill the subs bench for the most of the games, but he was somehow able to retain the clubs' status in the Championship.

October 14, 2011: Cotterill signs a three and a half year deal to become manager of Nottingham Forest.

Cotterill's managerial career spans a total of 563 games, in which his win percentage stands at a more than respectable 41.67%. His brand of football has been described as uneasy on the eye at many of the club's he has managed, but many said that of his good friend and former manager of the Reds', Billy Davies. Those claims were found to be untrue, so hopefully the same will eventually be said of Mr. Cotterill.

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