An interesting footnote to today's news that John Barnes has been sacked as manager of Tranmere Rovers is that the board has appointed the team physiotherapist, Les Parry, as caretaker manager. This role is usually filled by a member of the coaching staff, such as the assistant manager or reserve team coach. Barnes' deputy, Jason McAteer has also been sacked, but the reserve team coach is still at the club, presumably along with other coaches.
Whilst this is clearly only a short-term appointment, it is somewhat novel that the board have appointed the physio rather than a professional coach. Presumably the appointment is based either on his familiarity with the personnel, or it is possible that he is well-regarded by the players, and has been chosen simply as a motivator and organiser. The reserve team coach, Shaun Garnett, is listed as his assistant, and would therefore presumably deal with the coaching side of affairs.
Arsenal's great manager of the 1960s and 70s, Bertie Mee, famously started out as the team physiotherapist, but otherwise few non-coaches have made the leap into management successfully. Ron Noades, a businessman and owner of Crystal Palace and Brentford, appointed himself as caretaker manager of the former and full time manager of the latter during the 1990s. He even won promotion for Brentford into Division Two as champions in 1999, earning himself the title of Division Three Manager of the Year in the process. However, it is otherwise a rarity, and Parry, who released an unsuccessful Christmas single in 2006, should make the most of his second moment in the limelight before it passes.
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