Former Crystal Palace and QPR man emerges as favourite for EFL job

Ex-Crystal Palace and QPR defender Clint Hill, who is currently assistant manager at Stockport County, has emerged as the favourite for the Tranmere Rovers job. The Merseyside-born man started his career at Prenton Park and is now being tipped to return there as manager.

He is the 1/2 odds-on favourite for the Whites’ vacancy on BetVictor and is followed by David Artell at 8/1, Matthew Gill at 8/1, Nigel Adkins at 16/1 and Karl Robinson at 16/1. Micky Mellon was sacked by the League Two club earlier this month and Ian Dawes is currently in caretaker charge until a permanent successor is found.

“From both a personal and a club perspective this hasn’t been an easy decision,” said chairman Mark Palios of Mellon’s departure last month.

“Since he returned to the club in 2021 after a year in Scotland, we haven’t managed to achieve the success we both wanted and I reluctantly came to the conclusion that a change was needed as we start recruitment preparations for next season.”

Crystal Palace landed Hill back in 2007 on an initial loan deal from Stoke City before making his move down to London permanent shortly after. He went on to make 127 appearances for the Eagles and chipped in with seven goals.

QPR then lured him away from Selhurst Park after three years and he became a cult figure during his spell with the Hoops. He helped them gain promotion to the Premier League twice.

He had stints at Nottingham Forest, Rangers and Carlisle United before hanging up his boots in 2018. Coaching roles at Fleetwood Town, Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool United then followed on before his switch to Stockport as their number two under Dave Challinor in 2021.