League Two kicks off the new season with a host of fresh managers taking charge across the division. From relegation battlers to promotion contenders, these appointments could reshape the League Two landscape and define the campaigns ahead for clubs up and down the table
Here are the faces who hope to change the trajectory of their new employers.
Chris Todd – Newport County
Todd is preparing to take over as the Exiles begin another tough campaign, again aiming to stay clear of the League Two relegation zone. He replaces Christian Fuchs, who resigned after guiding the club to survival at the end of last season.
Todd’s coaching experience includes spells at Eastleigh, Gloucester City and Yeovil Town, where he worked as assistant manager and built a reputation for his detailed preparation and player development. Newport hope that grounding in lower-league football will help him stabilise the side and push them towards mid-table security.
Chris Hogg – Northampton Town
Since moving into coaching in 2015, Hogg has worked at the Ipswich Town academy and with Newcastle United’s under‑23s. His most recent role was at Norwich City under Liam Manning. Hogg now arrives at Northampton Town following their relegation from League One last term.
Cobblers fans will hope he can guide them to an immediate return to the third tier after last season’s disappointment, which saw them finish on just 35 points. A few early signings are likely to prove vital as Northampton look to rebuild and push for promotion under their new coach.
Ian Watson – Rochdale
Following Jimmy McNulty’s move to Stockport County, Rochdale found themselves searching for a new manager on their return to the Football League. They turned to Ian Watson, who earned plaudits for an impressive campaign with South Shields, guiding them to second place in the National League North before narrowly losing the play-off final to Kidderminster Harriers.
Watson is highly experienced in the National League, having served as assistant at Gateshead, where they won both the National League North and the FA Trophy, and he has also held coaching roles at Carlisle United and MK Dons.
Alex Bruce – Rotherham United
Son of former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce, Alex, who earned a fantastic playing career in his own right, now steps fully into the world his father has inhabited for almost 30 years of his career. After a year‑long stint at Macclesfield Town, he now takes the reins of a depleted Rotherham United following relegation from League One last term.
With significant departures expected from the Millers’ squad, it is no exaggeration to say this could be a very challenging season in South Yorkshire.
Peter Cklamovski – Salford City
Unknown to most EFL supporters, Peter Cklamovski has been a long‑term target for chief executive Gavin Fleig and arrives in Greater Manchester on a lengthy contract as Salford City look to finally break the curse and win promotion to League One this season.
It has been a positive few years under continued investment from the Class of ’92, with Salford reaching the League Two play‑off final last season before falling short against Notts County at Wembley. The club now hopes some early eye‑catching signings can help them go one better.
Darrell Clarke – Tranmere Rovers
Darrell Clarke takes charge of Tranmere Rovers aiming to reignite the club’s ambitions of being promotion hopefuls after a frustrating spell in League Two which saw them towards the relegation zone. The experienced manager has an impressive track record in this division, having guided both Bristol Rovers and Port Vale to promotion.
Known for his high standards and pragmatic, hard‑working sides, Clarke is expected to bring greater resilience and consistency to Prenton Park. Clarke’s first task will be to steady Tranmere, improve results and put the team back in the mix as one of the league’s finest.
Lee Grant – Walsall
Lee Grant arrives at Walsall after building his reputation as a coach following a long playing career. He has gained valuable experience on the staff at clubs including Manchester United and, most recently, as head coach of Huddersfield Town, where, despite being firmly in the play-offs, he was sacked shortly after the new year.
Walsall, who have gone close to promotion from League Two in each of the past two seasons, will hope Grant can provide the extra edge needed to finally get over the line and turn consistent play-off pushes into a sustained automatic promotion challenge.
