Gab Sutton column: Three EFL managers destined for bigger things

In his latest exclusive Odds Now column, EFL pundit Gab Sutton (@GabSutton) identifies three managers currently working in the English Football League who are destined for bigger things in the future.

Kim Hellberg

Rob Edwards’ controversial and acrimonious exit from Wolves had threatened to destabilise Middlesbrough’s promising season, but in fact, it’s done quite the opposite.

When Kim Hellberg took charge, the Boro had 30 points from their first 17 games, yet since he took the reins, they’ve accrued 25 points from 12, increasing their PPG return from 1.76, which was already pretty good, to 2.08.

Yet, whereas early on in the season, the Teessiders ground out points through good defending, and one of the best midfield pairings in the Championship, in Aiden Morris and Hayden Hackney, without quite passing the eye test as an attacking force, they’ve created far more chances under Hellberg.

Middlesbrough have combined some of the smooth passing football they enjoyed under Michael Carrick, and some of the solidity they had under Edwards; Hellberg’s been the one to put it altogether.

Brian Barry-Murphy

Brian Barry-Murphy is arguably the best developmental coach in the EFL.

The Irishman gave countless opportunities to youth at Rochdale, keeping the Greater Manchester outfit up twice in difficult circumstances, with a tiny budget amid structural chaos – and they still managed to play some good football at times.

Since then, BBM has been entrusted with nurturing some of the top talent in the world at Manchester City EDS, winning the PL2 twice, then working on the first-team staff at Premier League level with Leicester.

Barry-Murphy blew the Cardiff board away with his vision in his job interview, and has been able to deliver impeccable consistency this season, with the Bluebirds accruing 59 points from 28 league games – despite not having signed a single player before the opening day.

That shows how happy the head coach was to fill the squad by bringing players through the academy, and it’s borne fruit with the rise of the likes of Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio.

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Andy Woodman

Despite a managerial CV based entirely in non-league, prior to last season, Andy Woodman has some high-end contacts that may earn him a certain level of clout.

Best friends with Gareth Southgate, Woodman worked at numerous Premier League clubs as a goalkeeping coach, including Arsenal.

A lively and jovial character, the 54-year-old has built an excellent culture at Bromley, instilling a real humility in that group.

They know who they are, they know their limitations, and have established an extremely efficient blueprint within those parameters, with the Ravens flying high at the top of League Two, six points clear at the summit.

Meticulously organised, as an out-of-possession unit, Woodman’s side also poses a major threat from set pieces, not least through having a delivery specialist with the quality of Mitch Pinnock, a 6’6” dead-ball reference point in defender Omar Sowunmi, and a serial goalscorer in Michael Cheek.

Woodman has a chance of working higher – and at this rate, it’s likely to be with his current employers.