Harris Return Possible as Cambridge United Ponder Next Manager - Latest Odds

Neil Harris is the favourite to replace Garry Monk at Cambridge United, as per the bookies, and it would certainly be an interesting comeback. The 47-year-old parted ways with Millwall in December, following three consecutive defeats and six games without a win, and has since been out of contract.

Between December 2023 and February 2024, Harris was in charge of Cambridge United and actually enjoyed some success before taking on the Millwall job. He clinched five wins and three draws in 14 games for the Abbey Stadium side, so the departure had nothing to do with his record as the head coach.

Of course, given the situation in the standings, it will be very difficult to attract any manager but perhaps Harris' previous relationship with Cambridge United plays a part here.

Bonner, who has an enormous affiliation to the U’s having come from the city and then climbed through the academy to the role of first-team manager, did a spectacular job with the club between 2020 and 2023 guiding them to promotion to League One.

The issue we see is that his eventual sacking wasn’t exactly handled with class. It came just a couple of months after the award of a long-term contract.

The geography could appeal but Bonner, who has recently left Gillingham, has been keen to stress his willingness to “travel anywhere in the world” if it gives him the chance to continue “improving”. A move back to where it all started doesn’t really do that.

If you’re the Cambridge hierarchy, the ideal managerial candidate is likely to be someone with experience of the League One relegation battle but, also, someone that has a proven track record of climbing out of the fourth tier, just in case the worst happens.

Jon Brady ticks both of those boxes. What’s more, he has recently announced he’s now “recharged” and, from a settling-in perspective, he probably wouldn’t even need to move house.

Brady, who represented Cambridge in his playing days, resigned from fellow League One relegation battlers Northampton in December. He did a good job with the Cobblers though guiding them to promotion into the third tier in 2022/23 and, importantly, then steering them to a 14th-placed finish. Would Cambridge give him the “fresh challenge” he reportedly craves?

Barry Corr is probably the laziest link you could come up with as the next Cambridge manager. Why? Well, he’s the man in the hot seat right now – and not for the first time.

Corr has taken on caretaker duties on at the Abbey Stadium on three separate occasions now and whilst there is a saying “third time’s a charm”, it is hard to see why the 39-year-old will now be seen as the man the decision makers want in the long-term. With the lack of a clear favourite though, a couple of results could soon change that.

If you’re looking for a wildcard selection, how does 25/1 on Wayne Rooney sound? The former Man United star has seemingly shot and missed at Championship level but has expressed a willingness to drop further down the pyramid to prove himself since leaving Plymouth.

It would be a huge gamble for both parties, but it would certainly put plenty of eyes on the U’s.