Halifax Wanderers Head Coach Search Nearing An End

The Halifax Wanderers Football Club have confirmed that the search for a new head coach is now in the final stage.

The Wanderers had parted ways with Stephen Hart, the east coast side’s first-ever head coach, almost exactly one month ago. The 62-year-old gaffer had left the club through four seasons, but after a CPL Final appearance in 2020 a lack of progress saw Halifax opt to go in a new direction instead.

In an club-based interview with Sporting Director Matt Fegan, the east coast side has now revealed that Hart’s replacement is expected to be named by the end of the month.

We’ve also confirmed that over eighty candidates have approached the team in addition to a shortlist of head coaches that the club had previously maintained. This has now been narrowed down to the final five candidates, with the club now in the final interview stage.

There are thoughts that up to half of the playing squad could depart depending on what the new head coach envisions for the team. With the majority of the team either on expiring contracts are option years, the new head coach will have plenty of flexibility in terms of shaping the team.

With a total of 17 players on club options which can be activated this calendar year, the new head coach will need to work quickly to make some of these decisions. They’ll also have to decide what to do with the assistant coaching staff, too.

While the Halifax Wanderers enjoy the best attendance out of any Canadian Premier League side, it’s clear that the fans haven’t seen matching returns on the pitch of late: for two seasons in a row, the Wanderers have scored the least out of any side. Club President Derek Martin had made it clear that he wishes to see Hat’s successor establish an offensive, attacking style that will keep the sellout crowds coming back for years to come.

Interested fans can look at the full interview with Fegan here.

Header Image Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League / Trevor MacMillan