Sheffield Wednesday today unveiled former Cardiff City manager Dave Jones as their new boss, taking over from Gary Megson who was relieved of his duties on Wednesday evening.
Rumours surfaced linking Jones with the job prior to the Sheffield derby last weekend and so following the decision to part with Megson it is no surprise to see the Liverpudlian appointed. Usually when a new manager is appointed mid-season it is because results and league position is poor but Jones has a rare opportunity in this respect as the club are well positioned within the League One play-off spots with a chance of challenging for an automatic promotion place.
Jones’ managerial career in professional football began atStockportwhere he guided the club to automatic promotion to the Championship and also took them to a league cup semi-final in 2 years at the club.
In 1997 he moved onto Premier League Southampton where he did a steady job before his reign ended in difficult circumstances as he was forced to defend himself in court against unfounded child abuses dating back to the 1980’s. In taking little to reach a not guilty verdict it was stated that the case should never have gone to court but the damage to his Saints career was done as they paid up his contract.
His next post came at Wolves in 2001. A draw at Hillsborough on the final day of the 2001/02 saw them miss out on automatic promotion having been in the top 2 for much of the season and this was compounded by defeat in the play-off semi-finals.
The following season saw a reverse of fortunes as they peaked in the final stages to achieve a play-off spot and easily overcame Sheffield United 3-0 in the final to reach the Premier League. Jones was unable to keep the club in the top flight, finishing on 33 points and a poor start to the 2004/05 season saw him lose his job in November.
In 2005 Jones began a 6-year reign at Cardiff City, guiding the bluebirds to the F.A. Cup final in 2008. The following season saw occupy a play-off spot for long periods but Jones was hit by heartbreak at Hillsborough again on the final day as a 1-0 defeat to the Owls saw Cardiff miss out on a play-off spot. The Bluebirds finished 4th in both 2009/10 and 2010/11, losing the play-off final to Blackpool in 2010 and a semi-final toReading in 2011. At this point Cardiff parted company with Jones in search of a fresh approach.
The 55-year-old has signed a 3 ½ year deal at Hillsborough and has pointed to the size of the club and the plans of Chairman Milan Mandaric as the reasons why he had no hesitation in agreeing to take on the job.
Source: FOOTYMAD
