Plymouth close to appointing Tom Cleverley as head coach after Muslic's exit
Tom Cleverley is poised to be named Plymouth Argyle's head coach. The club, relegated to League One, want to appoint the 35-year-old former Watford manager after being impressed in further talks this week. Cleverley is expected to succeed Miron Muslic, who left for Schalke at the end of last month, with an appointment anticipated in the next 48 hours.
Cleverley, sacked by Watford last month after finishing 14th in the Championship, has been identified as Plymouth's number-one target after final interviews with four candidates on Wednesday. Discussions are believed to have been held with Jack Wilshere and Des Buckingham but neither made the final stages. The St Mirren manager, Stephen Robinson, is thought to have made the last round of talks. The recruitment has been led by David Fox, their former player who was recently appointed head of football operations, and the former Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber, a consultant.
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Managerless Cardiff City have held advanced talks with Buckingham about their vacancy but the Leicester coach Brian Barry-Murphy is also thought to be in the frame. Buckingham is out of work after being sacked by Oxford. Barry-Murphy joined Leicester in December after three years coaching in Manchester City's academy. Barry-Murphy's only previous management role was at Rochdale.
Aaron Ramsey was a candidate for the job on a permanent basis after taking interim charge following Omer Riza's sacking in April but the Wales midfielder has agreed to prolong his playing career in Mexico with Pumas after his Cardiff contract expired. The 34-year-old is expected to sign a deal until the 2026 World Cup, for which Wales hope to qualify under Craig Bellamy.
On Wednesday Cardiff conceded the recruitment process 'had taken longer than expected'. In a statement, the club said: 'Having started with a blank canvas, we are proud of the final options presented to the board for consideration. This is an appointment that everyone wants to get right for the future of Cardiff City.'
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