It might be three weeks since the Championship season ended with Hull City’s last-gasp escape at Portsmouth, but things certainly have not quietened down.
The search continues to find the new manager to replace Ruben Selles, and the transfer chat is in full swing, both at the MKM Stadium and beyond.
Elsewhere, the play-off finals are set to take centre stage over the weekend with six clubs battling it out for three promotion places, and one former Tigers favourite has been reflecting on that as we take a look at what’s happening at City and beyond…
City man in demand
The Tigers have decisions to make over a number of their players this summer, and one of those is Cody Drameh. The defender was restricted to just 17 starts during the season, with the majority of those coming at left-back as he played second fiddle to skipper Lewie Coyle.
Drameh arrived from Leeds United 12 months ago but his stay in East Yorkshire could yet be shortlived with the interest in the 23-year-old unlikely to go away.
Derby County have already been rebuffed in their attempts to snatch Drameh on loan with John Eustace keen to be reunited with the player he had at Birmingham City, and Preston North End are the latest to see their bid turned down. North End’s Lancashire rivals are in the hunt but any exit from the MKM Stadium will not be on the cheap.
Ex-coach lands new role
Barry Richardson has returned to Doncaster Rovers 12 months on from leaving the MKM Stadium. Following Rovers’ promotion as champions to League One, the club have created a fresh position with Richardson becoming first team coach.
It sees the former Rovers goalkeeper and coach reunited with Grant McCann and Cliff Byrne, having worked with the duo at City previously.
“I’m really excited to be back here. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here and my first opportunity as a coach came here, the 55-year-old said. “I’m excited to be back and I know Grant and Cliff really well. We’ve kept in touch a lot and I’ve spent quite a bit of time watching games over the last couple of years. I love what I do – being around football and good people – and that won’t change here. This group is developing into a really good footballing team and they’ve got a lot of tenacity and determination as well which is a huge part of it.”
Sticking with Rovers, the club have confirmed veteran striker Billy Sharp has penned a one-year extension at the Eco-Power Stadium. Following his release by the Tigers, the 39-year-old forward netted 12 times in 51 appearances.
Play-off memories
Saturday’s play-off final at Wembley between Sheffield United and Sunderland will rekindle some fond memories for City fans and former players alike.
One of those is Curtis Davies. A hero from City’s 2016 triumph against the Blades’ Steel City rivals, Wednesday, and he’s been reflecting on that memorable Wembley afternoon which saw the Tigers under Steve Bruce return to the top flight courtesy of Mo Diame’s rocket.
“It’s how you handle the occasion when you get there,” Davies told the Second Tier podcast. “For instance, when we went there with Hull we went there – because of our expectations of ourselves – in tracksuits, went out and saw the pitch, then went to the changing room. We got the game done, won the game, and went home, because we just knew we had to get back up.
“Whereas Sheffield Wednesday turned up in their nice suits – which isn’t a problem because it’s a Wembley game, a big occasion – but they had their sunglasses on, taking selfies on the pitch… I went into the changing room and told our lads, ‘We’ve got this, they’re here for the day out – we’re here to win.’”
Oh, not to be a Terrier
Just days after being given the axe at Hull City, Ruben Selles was immediately linked with the vacant job at Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield Town.
Talks between Selles’ camp and the Terriers are understood to have taken place, but it looks like the Spaniard will not be appointed at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Cardiff City, who were relegated from the Championship, were keen on Selles at the time he took charge at the MKM Stadium and it would not be a surprise to that interest rekindled.
Former Tigers given the cold shoulder
Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad has generated plenty of discussion once again. The Three Lions play games against Andorra and Senegal next month, and notable by their absence were any players from Manchester United, City or Spurs.
That included ex-City defender Harry Maguire, who suffered European heartbreak on Wednesday night when United were beaten by Tottenham in Bilbao.
Despite his stunning goal in the defeat to Nottingham Forest last Sunday afternoon, there was no place in the squad for Jarrod Bowen. Twelve goals and seven assists for the Hammers this season seemingly weren’t enough.