Exclusive:Geoff Thompson delivers major manager update as South Shields receive EFL approach for Ian Watson
There was some shock news from National League North club South Shields on Sunday.
South Shields chairman Geoff Thompson has confirmed the Mariners have received an approach for manager Ian Watson from an EFL club - and insisted he will protect his club’s best interests should a potential move edge closer.
The former Gateshead and MK Dons assistant manager enjoyed a positive first season in charge at Mariners Park after he was named as successor to Elliott Dickman last summer. After inheriting a side that ended the previous season in the bottom eight of the National League table, Watson guided a new look Mariners squad into a fierce title battle with AFC Fylde that went the way of the Coasters on the final day of the season.
Promotion into the National League remained narrowly out of reach as Watson’s men fell to a 2-0 defeat against Kidderminster Harriers last month - but the progress made on and off the pitch during the previous ten months was enough to attract attention from elsewhere.
The Gazette understands Watson has been the subject of tentative interest from League One, League Two and National League clubs over the last month - and although there was speculation suggesting Watson could depart for National League side Southend United, it is an EFL club that has now stepped up their interest in the last 48 hours by making a formal approach to the Mariners.
Talks are ongoing between all parties involved and Thompson has insisted it is his ‘hope and desire’ to ensure Watson and assistant manager Carl Magnay remain in place to plan for next season. However, he also admitted a contingency plan is being put in place and hinted former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson, who is currently director of Performance and Culture at South Shields, could be in line to take charge if Watson and Magnay do depart.
Contingency
Speaking to The Gazette at a club event introducing the club’s new main shareholders ORY Investment consortium, the Mariners chairman said: “Like you, I’ve heard various comments and rumours online, some of which were absolute nonsense and it’s difficult sometimes to continue ignoring all of that. There was a lot of noise, most was nonsense. I was asked earlier today, and I won’t mislead fans, we have had an approach and my hope and desire was and is that Ian and Carl remain but there is a process underway. We are doing our best to protect the club’s interests and that is absolutely paramount.
“If you take an outcome where that comes to pass and Ian and Carl aren’t here, we have a contingency and I’m delighted we have a lot of resource within the club. The obvious names are people like Mike Williamson, who has an incredible pedigree and is a key part of the existing management team. I don’t want to leap forward too far - but in the spirit of being open, and not to mislead anybody, not least our fans, that is the situation.”
Speaking at the same event, Jason Ye, leader of the ORY Investment consortium, addressed the speculation, saying: “Geoff told me, ‘Jason, we’re not [just] partners, we’re also friends’. There will be challenges and difficult times ahead where we have to work through issues and problems and situations. “I want to assure you that now this club, it’s not just Geoff alone. Any situation like this, we’re going to tackle it and we’re going to have a solution for it.”