Palios backs Tranmere boss Adkins despite slump
Nigel Adkins has won just two of his past 14 league outings as Tranmere boss
- Published
Tranmere Rovers chairman Mark Palios has delivered a vote of confidence to under-fire manager Nigel Adkins despite the club's struggles this season.
In a wide-ranging open letter to fans, external, published on the League Two club's website, Palios conceded a run that has seen Tranmere win just two of their past 14 matches was "unacceptable".
The club sit just three points above the relegation zone with a challenging trip to Salford City this weekend to come.
But the Rovers chairman, who took over as owner in 2014, insisted sticking with the experienced Adkins rather than "gambling" on a replacement was the right call ahead of a hoped-for takeover.
"Fans do not need me to tell them that results recently have been unacceptable," said Palios. "And, as always happens when a club has a bad run, that has led to calls from some for the manager to be sacked.
"But I have decided to stick with Nigel as our manager. In Nigel's case we have a manager with huge experience, a track record of many successes in his career, and a genuine passion for a club he has supported all his life.
"He is not a naive young manager who has never faced tough times, and he still believes he can turn things around.
"So I cannot see what is to be gained by gambling on a less experienced or [less] successful manager, with no real connection to the club and who would be brought in to manage a squad that he has not chosen."
Palios also provided an update on the proposed 80% takeover of the Wirral club by an investment group including A$AP Rocky, boyfriend of pop superstar Rihanna.
Despite social media rumours suggesting the deal has stalled, the chairman maintained he had received confirmation this week that the interested party remain "committed" to the takeover.
"We are targeting having all the revised paperwork in with the EFL by the end of February," said the Tranmere owner.
"I fully appreciate that this is a frustrating period for everyone involved in the club, but as recently as yesterday it was confirmed that the parties are committed to progressing it as quickly as we can."