The Bulls will get a third manager in 12 months shortly, but who would take the task of steering one of the smallest Football League sides?
John Trewick had the dual problems of succeeding a long serving manager, see The Impossible Job, and satisfying a fan base used to success on an ever decreasing budget. Falling attendances, initially due to the credit crunch, didn't help matters and once the rot set in amongst the support it seemed to prove difficult to shift. A club record low attendance against Northampton was hard to swallow and, with gates barely averaging 1,700 in 2010 so far something had to be done.
So would an ex-Bull be next for the hotseat?
With fans disgruntled for several weeks, the pubs and forums have been mulling the next to get in the chair long before the axe fell. The widespread name amongst fans, although not a universal choice, is Jimmy Harvey. The former midfield maestro created an impressive track record in managing on a budget at Morecambe, utilising a strong youth policy to develop the regional league side into a strong Conference force. His current employment, at Stalybridge, runs out in the summer.
Another former Bull mentioned is Richard O'Kelly. The likable, and cheerful, no.2 formed a strong working partnership with Graham Turner during his spell at Edgar Street, leaving for League One Bournemouth as he felt it was his 'last chance' at the League. Would he be tempted to break a sucessful partnership with Sean O'Driscoll for the muddier waters of a debut as the man to be shot at when things go wrong?
Two more former coaches have also been touted, with both former managers in their own right. Keith Downing, currently coach of West Brom's Academy after a stint as Cheltenham's no.1, sent nephew Paul to Edgar Street so presumably still is on good terms with Turner. Phil Robinson spent five years as a manager on a budget at Stafford Rangers, producing consistently high finishes for an often underachieving club. Like Downing he is currently in youth coaching, acquiring talent across Brum at Birmingham City from where Dan Preston has arrived.
Another former Stafford manager has also been mentioned in Steve Bull. Bull's charity work and role as a face at Wolves may prevent a full time appointment, as he was often missing at Stafford due to these other duties.
A number of Turner's younger former players at Edgar Street have also delved into management. Matt Clarke, assisted by Rob Elmes, has engineered a 21 game unbeaten run as the financially stricken Yeltz have stormed up the table into fourth despite a ten point deduction. John Snape had a brief sucessful spell with Bromsgrove ended due to the ongoing off-field war between prospective owner Mike Ward and the fans.
The are, of course, plenty of candidates with no connection with the Bulls. The one thing most fans seem to want is the attractive passing football that has brought success in recent years. So Martin Allen is probably out...