Steve Cotterill worked with Wade Elliott at both Bristol City and Burnley
Former Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill is said to have turned down an emotional reunion with managerless Cheltenham.
According to Gloucester Live, the 59-year-old, who led the club from non-league to the EFL during his tenure, was approached by the Robins on Thursday with the intention of replacing Wade Elliott, who was fired barely 24 hours earlier.
However, it’s claimed the out-of-work Cotterill rejected the chance to return to Whaddon Road out of respect for his long-term friend, whom he signed twice as a player.
The pair have remained close since their days at Burnley, a bond that was strengthened at Ashton Gate.Indeed, it was Cotterill who brought Elliott to City from Birmingham in 2014 and appointed him captain as the club won League One in 2014-15.
Following his retirement from playing, the former captain was appointed as Ashton Gate’s under-21 manager.
Cheltenham parted company with their manager with the Robins currently sitting bottom of League One with just one point from their eight games played.
‘I am incredibly sorry to see Wadey leave and I thought he did a fantastic job last season,’ Cotterill told Gloucester Live.
‘This season, I think he’s been up against it for quite a while now and I know how hard he’s worked through a summer of upheaval.
‘We met a couple of times for a coffee in Bristol in pre-season and I could tell he was flat out. I also think the number of injuries they’ve picked up this season is something as a manager you can’t legislate for.
‘I’ve been to Cheltenham this season to watch games and support Wadey and the squad, and I’m sure I’ll be there again on Saturday.
‘The only time I haven’t supported Cheltenham Town is when I’ve faced them as a manager,’ he says.
Cheltenham Town are still looking for a director of football after Micky Moore left at the end of last season.
‘My enthusiasm for football has always been a huge part of my life,’ Cotterill said when questioned about the post. I still have plenty of fire in me to get you through the tough times, as well as the coaching, tactical, recruitment, motivational, and man management skills to continue managing.
‘However, I also have 29 years of managerial experience where there weren’t heads of recruitment, technical directors or directors of football, which meant you had to do all of these roles as well as manage the team on a Saturday.
‘I go to at least one game every week because you need to stay current with what’s going on.
‘With regard to Cheltenham Town going forward, I am happy to advise and support the board of directors whenever called upon like I have done at regular intervals since I left.’
Cotterill has been out of work after leaving Shrewsbury following two-and-a-half year’s service in June.
As well as guiding Bristol City to the 2014-15 League One title, he also lifted the EFL Trophy with the club the same season, with Eliiott as captain.
Former Bristol Rovers boss Graham Coughlan – now manager of Newport County – has also distanced himself from the vacant Cheltenham job.
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