Swindon Town sack Mark Kennedy and appoint Ian Holloway

The Robins have turned to the experienced Holloway to lead them out of trouble at the wrong end of League Two.

The 61-year-old takes charge at the County Ground after the departure of Kennedy after just 13 league games in charge.

Swindon are third bottom, one place and three points above Carlisle in the relegation battle.

Kennedy's coaches, Marcus Bignot, Steve Mildenhall and Gavin Gunning, will oversee the Robins' game against Gillingham this weekend.

That comes as Holloway prepares to take the helm, the former Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool boss back in management for the first time since 2020, the veteran manager having previously been in charge at Grimsby Town.

Holloway said he was thrilled to take the helm in Wiltshire.

Swindon sit one place and three points above Carlisle (Image: Richard Parkes)

"I'm delighted to be back working in football after a period out of the game as I wanted to get back into it if the right opportunity arose which, with this opportunity, I feel is the perfect fit for me," he told Swindon's website.

"Conversations happened very quickly and both sides were very keen to get the deal done and of course, I was delighted to engage with a club like Swindon Town, a club of whom I know a lot about due to my location and knowledge of the local area.

"I want to be able to bring everyone together to deliver success and positivity on and off the pitch and I'm delighted to be at The Nigel Eady County Ground tomorrow to meet you all for the first time as Swindon Town Manager and I look forward to a successful time working together."

Swindon's head of football Jamie Russell added: "We are confident that Ian's experience and leadership qualities which he has shown for many years across not just at Premier League level, but the top five divisions of professional football, will be a significant asset for Swindon Town Football Club. 

“His passionate approach coupled with his location being more local to the South-West area along with most importantly, a desire to build a hardworking and entertaining side is a large part of what made us believe he would be the ideal fit for us."

Former Lincoln City boss Kennedy had been appointed at Swindon in May, but a poor start to the campaign has cost him his position.

The Robins have won two, drawn five and lost six in the league so far, one of those defeats being a 2-0 home defeat to Carlisle in Mike Williamson's first game in charge. The return game at Brunton Park is on February 1.

Swindon's squad includes the ex-United forward Dan Butterworth.