Linnets' Fans' Forum

Sent this from a colleague in the midlands....

King's Lynn boss has attracted interest from clubs assessing their managerial options, with contact understood to have been made with his representatives

Paul Caddis is emerging as a potential managerial candidate for clubs higher up the National League pyramid, with contact understood to have been made with representatives of the King's Lynn Town boss.

Hartlepool United's vacant managerial position is among the situations being monitored, while Gateshead and Solihull Moors are also facing pressure following difficult starts to the season. It is believed Caddis was and still is high on the list of fellow National League North outfit Southport FC.

There has been no formal approach to King's Lynn at this stage. Should an interested club decide to take matters further, an official approach to the club would be the next step.

At 38, Caddis has already managed two clubs in markedly different circumstances.

Caddis began his managerial career at Hereford FC with no established playing squad and significant financial restrictions.

He built a team from scratch and went on to guide Hereford to 76 points, the club's highest tally in the division, while narrowly missing out on the play-offs in consecutive seasons.

Caddis also oversaw a change in the club's financial position, with the bank balance moving from less than £5,000 when he took over to more than £250,000 during his tenure.

His appointment at King's Lynn presented a different challenge.

Caddis arrived with 12 games remaining, tasked with keeping the club in the division.

He inherited a squad of more than 35 players assembled across three previous managerial regimes, with limited scope for recruitment.

King's Lynn were also dealing with wider internal and financial issues.

Caddis kept the club in the division and subsequently remained in charge to oversee a longer-term rebuilding process.

That work has continued while the club operates under financial restrictions and attempts to address deficits accumulated over previous seasons.

King's Lynn have recorded five wins, four defeats and one draw from their opening 10 league matches, including four victories from their last five.

Caddis has continued to work on organisation, standards and establishing a consistent footballing identity within the club's financial limitations.

Caddis' managerial career follows a playing career that included Celtic, Blackburn Rovers, Swindon Town and Birmingham City, as well as senior international appearances for Scotland.

He captained Swindon to two league titles and was part of Blackburn's promotion-winning side.

In 2008, he started for Celtic against Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League, facing a side containing some of the leading players in world football.

At Birmingham, he became a popular figure among supporters after scoring an injury-time equaliser against Bolton that helped preserve the club's Championship status.

He subsequently moved into management, taking charge first at Hereford and then King's Lynn.

Hartlepool currently have the clearest vacancy among the clubs being discussed.

The club are searching for a permanent manager following Lee Clark's departure.

Caddis is understood to be among the names attracting attention, although there has been no formal approach to King's Lynn.

Gateshead and Solihull Moors are also situations being monitored following difficult starts to the season and increased supporter scrutiny.

Neither currently has a confirmed managerial vacancy.

Solihull has an additional connection through Adam Rooney, Caddis' assistant at King's Lynn.

Rooney worked alongside Caddis at Hereford before joining him at King's Lynn and is a former Solihull Moors striker.

The pair have therefore worked together throughout both of Caddis' senior managerial appointments.

The current position is that initial contact is understood to have been made with Caddis' representatives, but no formal approach has been made to King's Lynn.

Should an interested club decide to proceed, the next step would be an official approach to the King's Lynn hierarchy.

For now, Caddis remains in charge at King's Lynn, with his side having won four of their last five league matches.

Any decision to progress interest would now rest with the clubs involved.

Managers, players even owners and CEO's come and go. No point in getting hung up when someone leaves. Or potentially is going to leave. Managers have to move while their stock is high.

I don't think it would be a huge surprise if he chose to move on if an opportunity presents itself. He's had to put up with some pretty harsh criticism and often personal abuse during his short time here. Mainly on social media rather than match going fans.

No it wouldn't be a surprise if he ended up at say Southport. He could live at home with just a 30 mile drive to work each day.  Who wouldn't want that rather than living away from one's family.

Sometimes there is more to life than Football.  It's not like the guy has any real history with Lynn not like say Setch had in his time as Manager.

Thatd be a shame if he goes. I think he's doing alright tbh and has a really good attitude and ideas. Hopefully he'll be with us for the season at least

Well he certainly has contacts as regards recruitment.  Certainly the win at Telford was excellent, and Caddis deserves credit for it, or at least the recruitment that brought the players who produced it.  Things are now promising, and we have Crane in the offing.  Fingers crossed for the season...

It would be a massive disappointment and setback for the club to lose yet another manager so soon after the turmoil of last season. But loyalty is a long lost word in football. A rare commodity in the professional game these days. But we know it applies to both clubs and personnel. Lynn sack managers when it suits and managers jump ship when something more appealing is on offer.
I have been impressed with Mr Caddis in his commitment to keep fans informed, such a difference from more recent regimes which were a shambles. Hopefully the team continues to improve under his coaching and management. And hopefully he commits to at least the end of the season .

Caddis and Rooney were spotted at Peterborough Sports last night watching the game against Redditch.

  I agree with the comments made by Mr Fuller. I cannot remember the last time a manager sat down and wrote to explain how injured players are recovering etc. He certainly seems to have more experience running a club like KLTFC than some latter managers hopefully he will stay to see the job through

4 out of 5 is a good stat,seems like a good squad has been assembled.I for once would love to see a manager see out at least one season?

Well the Hartlepool job has gone to someone else, Pete Wild

Southport also have a new manager.

I think the Solihull Moors and Gateshead (although they seem to be financially in trouble) might be teams that have Caddis on their shortlist. Supposedly he turned down Southport and Hartlepool was a club that has made contact but chose another route. At the fans forum at the start of this year our captain/CEO confirmed we are losing alot of money at the football club so it seems that the manager is working with (and it's a matter of puting the comments of Clunan and Bal together with the income loss) potentially our lowest football budget for some time. Maybe that's where the admiration from elsewhere comes.

I hope he stays. I think he has been dreadfully criticised and I am unsure as to why that is.