SWINDON Town’s 2023-24 squad list is unlikely to be finalised until several weeks from now, according to coach Gavin Gunning, who admitted the task of delivering contract news to the squad could still fall to him.
The surprising timing of Jody Morris’ departure as head coach – one game before the end of the season – left a degree of uncertainty swirling around the County Ground at a time where plans are usually being formulated for the subsequent campaign.
Town say the process to replace Morris is “well underway,” but even after the new boss is appointed, they will likely be heavily reliant on Gunning and goalkeeping coach Steve Mildenhall for information about who is worth keeping around.
Asked whether the responsibility of putting a retained and released list together – which is normally published around mid-May – will be one of his caretaker tasks, the Irish coach gave very little away.
He said: “Possibly, I’d imagine it might fall to me, but we’ll see what happens. It’s football. You’ve got to go through these times.
“Unless you’re a very good player, if you’re playing at this level, you’re going to go through a time where someone gives you a custard pie at some point – that’s just how it is.
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“But when you’re contracted and not in the plans, it’s always best to leave the club.
“But a contract is a contract, so some of those situations will have to be revisited in the next few weeks, I’d imagine, to get a clearer picture going forward on what the squad list is going to look like.”
A consistent factor in a characteristically turbulent season for the club, Gunning has witness two different head coaches either side of a highly entertaining mini stint as caretaker boss.
The 32-year-old revealed the tenures of both Scott Lindsey and Morris had taught him plenty, including how to manage stress and pressure when the going gets tough.
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Gunning – who is still studying for his coaching badges – said: “It’s been different this season.
“I’ve learned lots of good stuff. I’ve learned how to deal with high-pressure situations better and about how the job can get on top of you sometimes.
“Different tactics from the two different managers, which has been good. They were two completely different characters, but it’s been a weird season.
“It’s been very up and very down, based on results. That’s what everything is based on – results. There’s no point going into any kind of football environment if you’re not going to be successful.”
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