Jim Bentley 4th Longest Serving

[OxshottShrimp]

Incredible stat, Jim Bentley is the fourth longest serving manager in the football league behind Arsene Wenger, Paul Tisdale and Karl Robinson (he was 5th prior to Smith's move from Walsall to Brentford).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35345928

That is a great stat for a manager to still be in his role, given his extremely limited budget and the fact it is his first managerial role. I personally, don't think he can do anymore for Morecambe - that is unless attendances dramatically improve and the club's income rises.

[Christies Child]

An excellent achievement and a credit to the Chairman for adopting a long term policy in the hope that its reward will be a modicum of success.

If we are known throughout the game for anything it is the longevity that we view the managerial position. Unlike the vast majority throughout the game at all levels we stick by our man (despite times when it would be easier to do the other) in the hope that our loyalty towards the manager will be rewarded by success on the field.

I often find fault in his tactics and at times get frustrated on match days at the lack of entertainment due (in my opinion) to an over cautious approach but I doubt that any other individual would show as much passion and loyalty when you consider the resources he has to play with.

[RedRedWine]

Is this a bittersweet achievement for Jim?

The continuity reflects well on the club. BUT.... whilst the majority of our fans appear to value the job Jimbo has/is doing - if he is doing as good a job as we think, why has a team higher up the leagues not taken a punt on him yet?

[Freez]

Its a fair point, but how would we know if they have and were knocked back?
Just asking like?

[Seasider9601]

Its a fair point, but how would we know if they have and were knocked back?
Just asking like?

I wondered that too Freez.

[RedRedWine]

Its a fair point, but how would we know if they have and were knocked back?
Just asking like?

Could very well be the case, I was just speculating.

In a job that has a short selflife I actually think Jim is in the perfect role for at least a couple more seasons. I don't think many clubs would have given him the opportunity he has had here, there have been high and low points which he has worked his way through.

I don't know if Jim has any aspirations to manage at a higher level, I'd hope so. Unfortunately he looks unlikely to be able to achieve any of those ambitions with Morecambe under the current set up.

[Freez]

I believe Jim does have ambition, and when visiting other teams there have been plenty of compliments from fans, press and staff alike about the job he does in difficult circumstances.
Like Sheridan at Oldham, a lot of appointments are made using the heart and an affection for an ex player/legend. In fact that's how Jim got our job really.
But using that as a yardstick, that means it's us or Telford for Jim!!

However, a late surge for the play offs could awaken interests for both players and management!!

Rose tinted??

[John L]

Did he not start at Man City? Might be a vacancy come Summer...

[Christies Child]

Just got a feeling in my water that Jimbo and Co may be heading to bigger ( but not necessarily better) things during 2016 and if that happens I'd expect Trevor Sinclair to be one of a long list of candidates who look at our club and how stable we are and how managers are given time to undertake the project of delivering entertainment.