Former Blues defender and current Colchester United boss John McGreal is reportedly interesting Town as the club look around for a successor to Mick McCarthy.

According to the Daily Mail, McGreal’s growing reputation for bringing through young players at the Weston Homes Community Stadium has caught the eye of the Blues’ management.

McGreal, who made 148 starts and three sub appearances for Town between 1999 and 2004, scoring five goals, took over at Colchester in the summer of 2016 and the U’s are currently 11th in League Two, having finished eighth last season.

The 45-year-old former centre-half was a member of George Burley’s side which won a place in the Premier League via the 2000 play-off final at Wembley and then finished fifth in the top flight the next season to reach the UEFA Cup.

Liverpool-born McGreal joined the Blues from Tranmere for £650,000 and ended his career with Burnley after departing Portman Road.

Current Town boss McCarthy looks almost certain to move on at the end of the season, despite owner Marcus Evans having an option to keep him for a further two years.

Photo: TWTD

pennblue added 19:02 - Jan 26 John McGreeeeeeeeal, John McGreeeeeeeeal
8

massivemole added 19:05 - Jan 26 Maybe worth a punt
3

BotesdaleBlue added 19:17 - Jan 26 The first managerial link of many I suspect. Interesting times ahead!
7

floridaboy added 19:18 - Jan 26 OK but with someone like Burley/Matt Holland as a partner
2

matty81 added 19:21 - Jan 26 More lazy journalism by the Daily Mail. He is an ex player who manages a local side I'm sure any of us could have written that amazing story.
7

12th_Man added 19:21 - Jan 26 No thanks
-3

DurhamTownFan added 19:27 - Jan 26 Maybe not much truth in it but at least he's got a connection to the club and hopefully some loyalty to our old ways!
6

ivandeighton added 19:29 - Jan 26 Kevin Nolan from Notts County
-5

muccletonjoe added 19:35 - Jan 26 Done a couple of years apprenticeship at a lower league club. I wouldnt be disapointed with mcgreal.
8

Ipswichbusiness added 19:42 - Jan 26 Someone on here mentioned Paul Hurst (Shrewsbury). Looking at his Wikipedia entry he has an excellent record and deserves a step up.
4

fifeblue added 19:46 - Jan 26 What about those guys at Lincoln City?
6

blueheartXT added 19:47 - Jan 26 If there is not a shift in the owner prepared to spend even more moneythen im afraid league one is where we'll be heading and we'll be playing Colchester regularly before we know it. Perhaps would make a more exciting pre season tho
1

ronnyd added 19:48 - Jan 26 "McCarthy almost certain to leave" Hmmm.
2

nineteenseventyeight added 19:51 - Jan 26 done well....but not well enough
0

blueheartXT added 20:00 - Jan 26 I just wonder what mick would of achieved with a better budget
6

tractorboybig added 20:06 - Jan 26 yes with Marcus stewart at number 2. But MM aint going
0

Dissboyitfc added 20:17 - Jan 26 worked out ok the last time we had their manager. Colchester have created a couple or three good managers in recent years!
4

AlexGreen added 20:18 - Jan 26 What a great picture!!
2

TimmyH added 20:27 - Jan 26 'Those guys' at Lincoln (the Cowley brothers) have just signed a contract extension so doubt they'll break it, but they might have been a good punt. Not so sure McGreal has done enough to be a serious contender here though. After today though the swingometer has swung back to MM staying in my opinion.
0

yungblue added 20:31 - Jan 26 Absolutely guaranteed MM will be leaving in May. Successors will be listed from now until the appointment. Don't know anything about John McGreal as a manager, philosophy etc. But know that Col U are 11th in League 2. Very questionable. If managers from the lower leagues are being scouted (not a bad idea), we have to be looking at the best I.e, Paul Cook, Paul Hurst, Nathan Jones, Graham Alexander. throw them names alongside the likes of Mark warburton, Maurice steijn etc. It's going to be a very interesting but exciting couple of months.

5

Taricco_Fan added 20:35 - Jan 26 Whether it's McGreal or somebody else, our next manager will most likely come from the lower leagues. I can't see many managers who have established themselves at Championship level or higher wanting to come here with the lack of resources on offer. And to be honest, I'm fine with that. McCarthy is a 'big name', as were Keane and Jewell (to a lesser extent), but the latter two were failures and Mick has kept us treading water. A young, hungry manager from League 1 or 2 with good knowledge of lower league talent and a more positive approach to the game could be just what we need. Or a foreign coach (like Steijn, who was linked last summer) could breathe fresh life into the club. We need a change. The fans are bored, McCarthy sounds apathetic to the job and keeps taking veiled swipes at the fans. There's no need to be careful what we wish for any longer.

17

Matt_Portman added 20:55 - Jan 26 Wouldn't be against this. Burley wasn't exactly winning trophies when we took him. There are other ex-team mates of JMs in coaching roles ; Stewart at brizzle, Clapham at Lincoln, Venus etc. Be good to have a management team who we could feel had a connection with the club. Sadly Evans couldn't give a sh*t about any of that so I'm sure this is just lazy journo given the proximity and ex player.

1

wayway added 21:04 - Jan 26 Not a chance, he is not a big enough name to stand in front of the Marcus Evans Group logo when being interviewed. Expect a big name has been in 2 years time
-1

Mjdery89 added 21:10 - Jan 26 Not sure, tbh I personally would rather have Warburton. He's good at bringing youth through and is more proven at clubs that don't splash the cash
3

Pip50 added 21:25 - Jan 26 Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Ha Ha
0

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