Former AFC Telford United manager Gavin Cowan emerges as front-runner for Shrewsbury Town job
Former AFC Telford United manager Gavin Cowan has emerged as the front-runner to become the new Shrewsbury Town boss, the Shropshire Star understands.
Cowan is understood to be Salop's number one target to take over at the Meadow following the departure of Michael Appleton yesterday (January 28).
The 44-year-old is currently in charge of Brackley Town, whom he has led into the National League, where they currently sit 15th in the table.
Salop parted company with Appleton after a sixth defeat in seven matches at Cambridge United. That result leaves them just two points above the League Two relegation zone, having suffered 15 defeats from 27 league games this season.
The loss at the Abbey Stadium was Shrewsbury's fourth consecutive away defeat and means they have managed just one win since mid-November, when they beat Newport County.
Salop have also not won on the road since September 6 at Barnet and currently hold the worst away record in League Two.
Cowan is well known in Shropshire football, having played for both Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford United.
He took over as manager of AFC Telford United in 2018, having spent the previous season on the coaching staff of former Bucks boss Rob Edwards, now manager of Wolves.
Cowan enjoyed an impressive first season in charge at the New Bucks Head, guiding the Bucks to the FA Trophy semi-finals and narrowly missing out on promotion via the play-offs.
His time at Telford was later disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and after a difficult start to the 2021/22 campaign, Cowan left the club in October 2021.
Cowan took charge at Brackley Town in 2023, following their defeat to Kidderminster Harriers in a play-off final.
He finally achieved promotion success in 2024/25, leading Brackley to the National League North title. The Saints sealed promotion with a final-day victory over Farsley Celtic, and Cowan was subsequently named National League North Manager of the Season.