Former Bristol City manager Dean Holden is under consideration for coaching jobs at Premier League Brentford and Championship rivals Sheffield United, according to reports.
The Daily Mail state that Holden has held talks with Brentford for the vacant assistant manager’s job under Thomas Fran, after Brian Riemer left to take over at Belgian side Anderlecht. But the 43-year-old is also in the frame to be named new defensive coach of Sheffield United with further conversations expected this week.
Holden left Stoke City in late August in the wake of Michael O’Neill’s dismissal and had been in contention for head coach jobs at Rotherham United and Exeter City, only to miss out on both posts.
He remains a hugely popular and well-regarded coach in the game and although his preference would be for a managerial position, the roles at Brentford and Sheffield United represent exciting opportunities.
Holden was in charge of City for 41 matches during the 2020/21 season when he was promoted into the role following Lee Johnson’s dismissal. He initially served as a caretaker for the closing stages of the Covid-disrupted campaign before being appointed full-time manager after an exhaustive six-week process.
Although he left City into the top six, the season started to unravel into Christmas and the New Year, precipitated by a disastrous injury list which then led to a six-game losing run, including a 6-0 thrashing at Watford, prompting his dismissal and the appointment of Nigel Pearson.
Holden, however, retains a strong sense of respect within the City fanbase due to his engaging personality and the difficult circumstances he took over the job, while since leaving Ashton Gate he has always spoken warmly of the club and staff. His win record of 43.9 per cent also exceeds Pearson (29.07 per cent), predecessor Johnson (38.7 per cent) and is only just behind Steve Cotterill (45.69 per cent).
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