Bristol City dismiss Dean Holden after six months as head coach

Bristol City head coach Dean Holden has been sacked just hours after the club suffered their sixth straight defeat at the hands of Reading on Tuesday evening.

A 2-0 home reverse against Reading saw the Robins drop to 13th in Championship table, leaving them seven points off the playoff places.

Holden, much to the surprise of the clubs supporters was promoted from his position as assistant head coach last summer – following the sacking of current Sunderland manager Lee Johnson in July 2020.

Despite his inexperience as a head coach, he initially justified the Bristol City boards decision to appoint him as head coach over several experienced managers available at the time, with the Robins firmly in the upper reaches of Championship table – until a dismal run of 10 losses in 13 games from December onwards saw the club plummet to mid table.

Bristol City in a club statement confirmed Holden’s five-year association with the club has come to an end.

“Following a sixth successive defeat, the Bristol City Board have decided that a change of Head Coach is necessary.

“Assistant Head Coaches Paul Simpson and Keith Downing will take charge of training until further notice.

“The club would like to thank Dean for his service to the club over the years and we wish him well for the future.

“There will be no further comment at this stage.”