Bristol City appoint Nigel Pearson on short-term deal

Bristol City have named Nigel Pearson as their new manager today, replacing Dean Holden on a short-term contract until the end of this season.

57-year-old Pearson has a wealth of experience across the top two tiers of English football, most recently at Watford where he hugely boosted their Premier League survival hopes before being dismissed with two games left of the season.

However, this four-month spell is seen as a trial run for Pearson at Ashton Gate, with Robins Chairman Jon Lansdown saying things will be re-assessed at the end of the season.

“Nigel gives us the leadership and direction we need to lift the players’ confidence and to turn our form around,” said Lansdown. “The initial appointment is until the end of the season, when we will re-assess the situation, hopefully with a view to the long term. However, the immediate priority for Nigel and the coaching team is to stop the current bad run and move us back up the table.” 

Bristol City have been managerless for a little over a week following the firing of Dean Holden, who was previously a long-term assistant under Lee Johnson. 

Holden had a solid start to the campaign with four consecutive wins, but after five straight losses he was relieved of his duties with the club sinking to 15th in the Championship table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Pearson, who’d only recently recovered from a tough period battling the coronavirus, will observe tomorrow night’s clash with Middlesbrough from the stands before beginning his new role on Wednesday.

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— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) February 22, 2021