Fleetwood Town names former Oldham and Barrow manager Wild as new head coach
Fleetwood Town have made a significant move in their managerial search by appointing Pete Wild, a strategist well-versed in the nuances of English football, as their new head coach.
The 40-year-old has signed a contract of undisclosed length with the League Two outfit, succeeding Charlie Adam, whose tenure was cut short following a disappointing spell. The announcement comes on the heels of a lackluster campaign that saw the Cod Army grappling with form, ultimately leading to Adam’s exit.
Wild is set to officially assume his role on 27 December, however, current first-team coach Matt Lawlor will step in to oversee the pivotal Boxing Day clash against Chesterfield.
“I am really excited to have the opportunity to manage such a progressive football club,” Wild told the club website., external
“Although discussions have moved quickly, both myself and [assistant boss] Adam [Temple] feel like there is a clear direction from everyone at the football club and we really feel we can support that journey.
“We can’t wait to meet everyone and get fans, staff and players moving in a forward direction.”
The decision to part ways with Adam came after a grim stretch of just one victory in 11 league contests, a record that weighed heavily on the club’s aspirations.
In their most recent outing, Fleetwood suffered a 2-0 defeat at Barrow, marking their fifth loss in a span that unfortunately also included five draws. Their FA Cup aspirations evaporated early when they faced an early exit against Reading.
Charlie Adam, the former Liverpool star, took the reins on New Year’s Eve of 2023, stepping in for Lee Johnson in what marked his managerial debut. However, his time in charge ended with Fleetwood facing relegation to League Two, and the club now languishes in 18th place, precariously positioned eight points above the drop zone.
For Wild, this appointment signifies a fresh chapter; it is his first managerial role since parting ways with Barrow in the summer, during which his squad narrowly missed out on the League Two play-offs— a feat that firmly places him in contention as one of the most promising tacticians in the division.
“At this point we felt it was important to bring in someone who has extensive knowledge of the division we find ourselves in – and Pete was the standout candidate,” stated Fleetwood owner Jamie Pilley, underscoring Wild’s pedigree and the confidence placed in his abilities.
