Former Sunderland coach Steve Cotterill has left League One Shrewsbury Town - with chairman Roland Wychelerly hinting the decison to make changes had been taken 'to safeguard the very future of our club'. Cotterill departs the New Meadow after two-and-a-half years in charge of the Shrews, and having guided the club to a midtable finish last season.
There had been speculation surrounding his future for several weeks following the news that chief executive Brian Caldwell had left the club, and reports that Cotterill had not been consulted over the club's decision to create a new football board. The 58-year-old previously managed clubs including Stoke City, Burnley, Notts County, Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, and Birmingham City.
But Sunderland fans will remember him as assistant to Howard Wilkinson, with the duo presiding over a disastrous five-month spell on Wearside in 2002-03 in a season that saw the club relegated from the Premier League. Sunderland came up against Cotterill's Shrews in January in the FA Cup third round, when the Black Cats won 2-1 in Shropshire.
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Wycherley issued a statement following Cotterill's exit saying: "As a lifelong supporter, as well as chairman and custodian of Shrewsbury Town Football Club, it is my first priority and duty to secure and protect the club for future generations. From time-to-time circumstances arise when difficult and unpopular decisions have to be made to safeguard the very future of our club.
"We currently find ourselves in such a position and we would be failing in our duty if we shirk those decisions. Unfortunately, because of confidentiality restrictions, it is not always possible to keep our supporters fully informed.
"Premature leaks and gossip only exacerbate the situation, fuelling different agendas. Going forward, be assured that management structures and new football strategies are already in place - the rationale for the actions we have taken will become evident in the coming weeks and months."
