With the stakes high, Swindon take a risky gamble LINK FOOTBALL

Head Coach of the Under 18s, he won seven trophies in two years, playing a pivotal role in the development of future England international Mason Mount.

Morris would next gain invaluable experience working as a number 2 for Frank Lampard at Derby County and Chelsea. This demonstrates the glowing reputation Morris boasts amongst the elite in football. Moreover, the 44-yearold will be able to deliver the top rate techniques deployed at the highest level of the game.

In addition Morris’ pedigree and long list of contacts could see Swindon attract a higher calibre of youth player.

However, it could be argued that the appointment is a risk. Every appointment in football carries an element of risk, but none more so than hiring a manager for his first crack at the whip in the hot seat. Morris will be thrown into the deep end with little opportunity to work on new ideas with his team.

His new surroundings will be a far cry from those he has worked in before. With no previous experience of League 2 football it could take the new gaffer time to adapt to the roughest league in the EFL.

Arguably the timing couldn’t be worse, with Swindon approaching the home straight, leaving Morris little room for error. This, however, is only a problem if he is expected to win the race. Perhaps the objective for the remainder of the season is to build for the next. Potentially this could be a good plan.

Richie Wellens and Swindon offer the perfect blueprint for this scenario, with the former gaffer using the 2018/19 season to build his famous titlewinning team for the following campaign.

If history is anything to go by, Morris’ chances of success are 50/50. In some cases, Assistant Managers have gone on to be outstanding number one’s. On the other hand there have been many examples of assistants failing to make the step up. Look no further than failed England manager Steve McClaren. Only time will tell us which category Jody Morris falls into.