There'll be no rush job

9:42am Thursday 20th November 2008

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ALEX chairman John Bowler insists the club will not be rushed into appointing Steve Holland’s successor.

That opening gambit is bound to spark a collective groan from a minority of moaners quick to shoot down Dario Gradi’s return to the hot seat.

“We will take our time to make sure we make the right appointment.”

Alex chairman John Bowler

But frankly Crewe had no option but to return to the man who made it all happen in the first place, hoping for the kind of bounce that can raise hopes of staying in League One.

And that will make life easier for his ultimate successor.

“We had a board meeting on Tuesday when the decision to make Dario caretaker was taken,” explained Bowler.

“There is nobody in mind to take over but caretaker, as it suggests, is just that.

“We will be looking for another first-team manager.

“We will take our time to make sure we make the right appointment.”

The board’s ideal scenario of a smooth in-house transition has unfortunately failed after 16 troubled months.

Gradi is back in charge, having taken the position of technical director as part of a reshuffle that saw former Academy Director Holland step up to lead the first-team.

Having survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, the 38-year-old couldn’t stop the rot despite spending a rumoured £800,000 during the summer.

Rock-bottom of League One and as good as seven points adrift of the safety margin, it’s a mess and up to Gradi to sort out in the interim – starting this Saturday at home to Jim Gannon’s Stockport County.

Former fans’ favourite Craig Hignett expects his old boss to ruffle a few feathers.

“They are languishing at the bottom of the league but it’s been 25 years since Crewe sacked a manager so it has still come as a bit of a shock,” he said.

“I know how hard Steve has worked and I was still at the club when he was starting off as a coach so I am a bit saddened by it all.

“But they are bottom of the table, things haven’t gone to plan and they have turned to Dario.

“He’s been around the scenes and I am sure the players all know Dario and will know what to expect.

“He’s got high standards but whether he can change it all that much remains to be seen.

“But he won’t be scared to go in there and ruffle a few feathers.”

Three points against promoted Stockport would be the perfect start to a likely key cameo from Gradi.

Crewe face a daunting trip to Leicester City on Tuesday night while floodlight failure has moved their FA Cup clash at either Grays or Carlisle to Wednesday, December 3.

Crunch games at Cheltenham and Swindon follow so any chances of League One salvation may lie with a man often hailed by his one-time supporters as a football genius.

Rumours are rife Gradi has already sounded out Kenny Lunt over another loan spell as he bids to make the difference.