Who might be Colwyn Bay’s next manager? Let’s speculate a little with 6 possibles

After yesterday’s departure of Steve Evans, who will manage Colwyn Bay in 2024-25?

The club will be looking for a strong figure as it bids to return to the Cymru Premier at the first attempt following Sunday’s relegation.

As one would expect, the rumour mill is already working overtime when it comes to discussing Evans’ replacement. Here are six names we’ve heard bandied around.

Chris Hughes

Former Newtown manager who left the Robins in January of this year after more than 10 successful years in charge.

Under Hughes’ leadership the Latham Park club qualified for Europe three times and finished in the Cymru Premier top six on seven occasions.

The 44-year-old was appointed in November 2013 and guided the club into the play-offs for the first time, before leading them to play-off glory the following season.

The former Prestatyn, Rhyl, Buckley and Caersws number two then oversaw Newtown’s historic Europa League win over Valletta and a tie against FC Copenhagen in 2015-16, as well as victory against HB Tórshavn of the Faroe Isles in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League. .

Hughes, who holds his UEFA Pro Licence, was expert summariser for the FAW’s Red Wall+ channel at the WBS League Cup final between Mold Alexandra and Briton Ferry Llansawel on Saturday.

He said he was enjoying a break from football and expressed an interest in doing more commentary work.

Could the Bay job entice him to give management another go?

Johnny Haseldin

Johnny will be fully focused on two big matches this week – a NEWFA Challenge Cup semi final against Flint Mountain on Monday night before a home league clash on Wednesday versus Llanidloes Town, where Holywell need just a point to be crowned 2022-23 Cymru North title winners.

Unfortunately, the Wellmen were unable to secure a Tier 1 Licence essential to compete in the Cymru Premier, so even if they do win the CN championship they cannot go up.

While it is hard to think of Johnny being involved with any other club, might he fancy a new challenge with the Bay, where an end-of-season title would guarantee a quick return to the Cymru Premier, with the Seagulls meeting all the criteria?

Johnny deserves to manage in the top-flight. Joining Bay would give him that opportunity if Holywell remained unable to qualify for Tier 1.

Sean Eardley

Local lad with a great track record, having managed Caernarfon Town in the Cymru Premier and Llandudno in the Cymru North.

Eards is currently assistant-manager of Bangor 1876, where he worked alongside Michael Johnston in helping the Cymru North newcomers to a top-five finish in their first season.

A former Llandudno player, he went on to become assistant to Alan Morgan at Maesdu Park and was part of a very successful spell in Tudno’s history which included winning the Cymru Alliance in 2014-15, the club then finishing third on debut in the Welsh Premier and qualifying for Europe.

In 2017, Eards joined Caernarfon Town as number two to manager Iwan Williams.

Six months later, Sean became first team boss of the Canaries after Williams took up the manager’s role at Llandudno.

At the time, Caernarfon were top of the Huws Gray Alliance and they stayed there, not losing a single league game for the rest of the season.

That meant a return to the Cymru Premier after a 10-year absence and in his two seasons as chief, Sean led Caernarfon to a pair of top six finishes.

He rejoined Llandudno in 2019-20 and guided the Seasiders to second and third places in the Cymru North before moving to Bangor 1876 in July 2023.

Mike Cunningham

A cheeky outsider?

Mike’s final game as Mold Alexandra manager after eight years in charge ended with a famous 4-2 win over Briton Ferry Llansawel in Saturday’s WBS League Cup Final.

He has also helped guide Alex to their highest ever Tier 2 finish of fourth (almost guaranteed) this season.

Mike’s other successes with the Alyn Park outfit came at Tier 3 level, with Mold winning the Ardal North West League title and FAW Trophy in 2021-22.

His only experience of Tier 2 football has come with Mold.

Colin Caton

After 21 years in charge at Bala Town and more than 800 games as manager, surely nothing could prize Caton away from his beloved Lakesiders.

Since taking over in 2003-04, when Town were a Tier 3 Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) Premier Division club, he has turned the team into a major force in Welsh domestic football.

Caton, 53, has just completed his 15th season as Bala boss in the Cymru Premier and has now qualified for nine European campaigns, as well as winning the Welsh Cup in 2016-17.

He may come across as the Victor Meldrew of the CPL at times, but no-one can argue with his outstanding record.

So why would Caton even think of saying farewell to Bala?

Answer: he probably wouldn’t, and the only reason he is in this feature is because the club with a managerial vacancy is Colwyn Bay.

Caton is a former long-serving centre-half at Llanelian Road and managed the club in the early 2000’s.

The fans would probably welcome him back and restoring the club’s Cymru Premier status would be a good but very achieveable challenge for Caton.

However, he and Bala were made for each other and while he would be a worthy contender to take over at the Bay, such an event seems unlikely.

Tom McCready

Would be a popular choice with the Bay fans.

Macca joined the club in 2018 after initially coming on loan from AFC Fylde.

Sunday’s 1-0 win over Barry Town United saw his 166th and final appearance for the club where he scored 49 goals.

Tom was clearly emotional when he was substituted late in Sunday’s game, receiving a standing ovation from supporters.

The 32-year-old said he had been pondering retirement for a while and felt it was the right time to call it a day.

After the match, he was asked by Sgorio whether he might be part of the future management set-up at the Bay, but McCready said it was too early to think in those terms.

FANTASY APPOINTMENT

Getting former Bay manager and all-time hero Dave Challinor back would be good!

However, he has just led Stockport County up to English League One after landing the EFL League Two title, so with all due respect to the Seagulls, he has bigger fish to fry for now.