Premier League hero calls for 'manager transfer window' as part of rules shakeup

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Joleon Lescott thinks a managerial transfer window should be introduced. The ex- Manchester City and Everton star believes clubs should not be able to poach coaches from other clubs mid-season.

The Premier League has seen its fair share of managerial changes already this term, with Ange Postecoglou replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest before being supplanted himself by Sean Dyche .

Espirito Santo subsequently found himself at West Ham as he took over from Graham Potter and Wolves ' recruitment of Rob Edwards from Middlesbrough also made waves after the sacking of Vitor Pereira .

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Former England defender Lescott reckons that while hiring out-of-contract managers midway through the season is acceptable, taking them from other clubs should be restricted to a specific mid-season window, due to the potential for disruption.

"I believe there should be a window for coaches and managers," admitted Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer , brought to you by Sky Bet.

"I don't believe you should be able just to go and get a new manager. It should be just before the player window. Say it would maybe be in December.

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"Just so everybody knows and so clubs know, 'Oh, I can get a new manager or recruit a new manager at that time.' Because I think it just derails too many clubs.

"If you sack your manager and there is one who's out of contract, that's fine. But I'm saying if you want a manager who is contracted to another club, then it should have to be in a window."

A lot was made of how Wolves snatched up Edwards from second-placed Championship side Middlesbrough back in November, with the forced change of coach at the Riverside Stadium coming as a huge surprise.

The club's statement said a lot regarding how this mid-season switch was viewed, especially given how well the club were and still are faring. They said at the time: "We initially rejected an approach from Wolves on the basis that Rob signed a three-year contract with MFC less than six months ago.

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"Following discussions with Rob we were disappointed to learn that he wanted to speak with Wolves regarding their head coach vacancy. We have now agreed terms with Wolves."

Edwards penned a deal with Wolves soon after and his former club's statement was equally as bitter. It read: "Middlesbrough FC can confirm that Rob Edwards has now officially resigned his post as head coach after agreeing a contract with Wolves.

"Rob had signed a three-year contract with ourselves during the summer, but after he made it clear he was keen to join Wolves, we reluctantly agreed a figure of compensation for both himself and one of his first team coaches, Harry Watling."

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