Steve Cotterill

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Steve Cotterill

| image = Steve Cotterill 2015.jpg

| caption = Cotterill as manager of Bristol City in 2015

| fullname = Stephen John Cotterill{{Hugman|4169|access-date=27 May 2017}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|7|20|df=y}}

| birth_place = Cheltenham, England

| height =

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Forest Green Rovers (manager)

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Cheltenham Town

| years1 = 1986–1987

| clubs1 = Cheltenham Town

| caps1 = 9

| goals1 = 1

| years2 = 1987–1989

| clubs2 = Burton Albion

| caps2 = 74

| goals2 = 44

| years3 = 1989–1993

| clubs3 = Wimbledon

| caps3 = 24

| goals3 = 7

| years4 = 1992

| clubs4 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)

| caps4 = 11

| goals4 = 4

| years5 = 1993–1996

| clubs5 = AFC Bournemouth

| caps5 = 55

| goals5 = 18

| totalcaps = 164

| totalgoals = 73

| manageryears1 = 1996

| managerclubs1 = Sligo Rovers

| manageryears2 = 1997–2002

| managerclubs2 = Cheltenham Town

| manageryears3 = 2002

| managerclubs3 = Stoke City

| manageryears4 = 2004–2007

| managerclubs4 = Burnley

| manageryears5 = 2010

| managerclubs5 = Notts County

| manageryears6 = 2010–2011

| managerclubs6 = Portsmouth

| manageryears7 = 2011–2012

| managerclubs7 = Nottingham Forest

| manageryears8 = 2013–2016

| managerclubs8 = Bristol City

| manageryears9 = 2017–2018

| managerclubs9 = Birmingham City

| manageryears10 = 2020–2023

| managerclubs10 = Shrewsbury Town

| manageryears11 = 2024–

| managerclubs11 = Forest Green Rovers

}}

Stephen John Cotterill (born 20 July 1964) is an English coach and former player who is currently the manager of National League side Forest Green Rovers.

Cotterill, a striker, had a nine-year career as a footballer playing for Burton Albion, Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth before deciding to take up football management. He began with Irish side Sligo Rovers and after a year he returned to England and took over at his home town club, Cheltenham Town. He did well at Whaddon Road guiding the club from the sixth tier to the third in five years. His success at Cheltenham led to Stoke City appointing him as their manager prior to the 2002–03 season.

After 13 games as manager, he left to become assistant manager to Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland only to be dismissed from this post with Wilkinson in March 2003 after 27 games in the role. He joined Burnley in June 2004. After three years at Turf Moor he moved on to have a short spell at Notts County in 2010 and spent a season-and-a-half at cash-strapped Portsmouth. In October 2011 he was appointed manager at Nottingham Forest guiding the club out of a relegation battle. He was dismissed by Forest in July 2012 after the club was taken over by the Al-Hasawi family. In January 2013, he joined Queens Park Rangers' coaching staff remaining until the end of the 2012–13 season. Cotterill was appointed manager of Bristol City in December 2013, taking them to the Championship before being dismissed in January 2016. He was manager of Championship club Birmingham City from September 2017 to March 2018.

Playing career

Cotterill was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He started his playing career in non-League football as a forward who could play centrally or in wide positions, playing semi-professionally at clubs like Cheltenham Town,{{cite book |last=Harman |first=John|title=Alliance to Conference |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-869833-52-7 }} Alvechurch and Burton Albion. In 1989, he moved into professional football when signing for Wimbledon in the First Division. He made 25{{cite web | url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=1682 | title=Games played by Steve Cotterill | publisher=Soccerbase.com | access-date=10 April 2015}} appearances in four years at Wimbledon and went out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion to recapture his fitness following a serious cruciate knee-ligament injury. Cotterill signed for Bournemouth in the summer of 1993 for the fee of £120,000.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/sunderland/3035899/Cotterills-rapid-rise-to-the-top.html | title=Cotterill's rapid rise to the top | work=The Telegraph | access-date=10 April 2015}} He was out of contract and this fee was set by the then Transfer Tribunal. In three years at Bournemouth he got his career back in good shape scoring 18 goals in 55 league starts for the club. While at the club he picked up three player of the season awards but had to finish his career in 1996 after another bad knee injury from which he was unable to fully recover.{{cite web|title=The career of ex-Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill |url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/career-ex-Nottingham-Forest-manager-Steve/story-16524838-detail/story.html |work=This is Nottingham |access-date=12 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716071228/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/career-ex-Nottingham-Forest-manager-Steve/story-16524838-detail/story.html |archive-date=16 July 2012 }}

Coaching career

=Sligo Rovers=

Following on from Lawrie Sanchez, Sligo Rovers appointed Cotterill for the 1996 season. He led the club to third place in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and his side also reached the League of Ireland Cup final, where they lost on penalties to Shelbourne. Cotterill also led them into the 1996 UEFA Intertoto Cup, playing against teams such as Nantes where they earned a 3–3 draw and another creditable 0–0 draw against Dutch team, Heerenveen.{{cite web | url=http://leaguemanagers.com/managers/steve-cotterill/ | title=Steve Cotterill | publisher=League Managers.com | access-date=24 March 2015 | archive-date=15 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315072905/http://leaguemanagers.com/managers/steve-cotterill/ | url-status=dead }}

=Cheltenham Town=

Cotterill joined Cheltenham when they were still a non-league club and he built up a successful side which won promotion from the Southern Football League Premier Division to the Football Conference in his first full year at the club. He won the FA Trophy in 1998, beating Southport 1–0 in the final,{{cite news|last=Metcalf|first=Rubert|title=Football: Idyllic end for Cheltenham|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-idyllic-end-for-cheltenham-1158981.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-idyllic-end-for-cheltenham-1158981.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=1 November 2012|newspaper=www.independent.co.uk|date=18 May 1998|location=London}} and Cheltenham finished second in the Conference the same year, their first season in that league. Cheltenham won the Conference and with it promotion to the Football League the following year.{{cite web|title=Manager profile |url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/history-384.html |publisher=www.leaguemanagers..com |access-date=1 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708202953/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/history-384.html |archive-date=8 July 2010 }} His first two seasons in the Third Division saw them finish in the top half. In 2001–02, the club reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in its history, ended only by a 1–0 away defeat to West Bromwich Albion and including the defeat of Cotterill's future club Burnley. He twice won the prestigious award of Manager of the Year during his tenure.{{cite news|title=Cotterill collects award|work=Gloucestershire Echo|agency=Gloucestershire Media|publisher=Local World|date=7 June 1999|location=Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK|page=41|type=Microfilm|quote=It is the first time a Conference manager has won the annual award two years running.}} Cotterill took Cheltenham into the Second Division that season, following a play-off victory over Rushden & Diamonds at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He was awarded his UEFA Pro Licence in 2002.

=Stoke City=

Cotterill left Cheltenham to join First Division side Stoke City in the summer of 2002.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/3028537/Cotterill-unveiled-by-Stoke.html|title=Cotterill unveiled by Stoke|access-date=19 October 2011|publisher=The Telegraph|location=London|date=27 May 2002}} His only major summer signing was that of striker Chris Greenacre from Mansfield Town.{{cite news|title=Greenacre joins Stoke|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/2093561.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=9 May 2013|date=4 July 2002}} Stoke began the 2002–03 season with a 0–0 draw at Sheffield Wednesday and their first win came on 17 August against Bradford City.{{cite news|title=Sheff Wed 0–0 Stoke|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2181130.stm|website=BBC Sport|access-date=10 June 2016|date=10 August 2002}}{{cite news|title=Stoke 2–1 Bradford|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2195409.stm|website=BBC Sport|access-date=10 June 2016|date=17 August 2002}} This was followed by a 3–4 defeat by Preston North End and narrow losses to Derby County and Burnley.{{cite news|title=Preston 4–3 Stoke|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2198205.stm|website=BBC Sport|access-date=10 June 2016|date=24 August 2002}} The side then went five matches unbeaten before Cotterill shocked the club on 10 October by handing in his resignation after just 13 games to become assistant manager to Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/10/newsstory.sport13|title=Stoke 'shocked' by Cotterill walkout|access-date=19 October 2011|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=10 October 2002}}{{cite web|title=Cotterill leaves Stoke flapping in vapour trail of ambition|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/11/newsstory.sport6|website=The Guardian|date=11 October 2002|access-date=11 May 2016}}

=Sunderland=

As Howard Wilkinson's assistant, they were tasked with keeping Sunderland in the Premiership. However, Sunderland recorded just two league victories under the new management team and both Wilkinson and Cotterill were dismissed after just 27 games in charge.{{cite news|title=Wilkinson and Cotterill sacked|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/mar/10/newsstory.sport11|access-date=30 October 2012|newspaper=www.guardian.co.uk|date=10 March 2003|location=London}}

In February 2004, struggling Premiership outfit Leicester City appointed Coterill as coach by manager Micky Adams.{{cite news|title=Cotterill takes Foxes post|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/3512161.stm|access-date=1 March 2021|website=www.bbc.co.uk|date=22 February 2004|location=London}}

=Burnley=

In the summer of 2004, a decision by Burnley not to renew the contract of their manager, Stan Ternent, led to Cotterill being named as the new manager of the club. In his first season at the club they reached the third round of the Football League Cup, beating Aston Villa 3–1 on the way.{{cite news|title=Burnley 3–1 Aston Villa|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3947031.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2012|date=26 October 2004}} They also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, beating Premier League side Liverpool 1–0 in the third round.{{cite news|title=Burnley 1–0 Liverpool|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4174885.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2012|date=18 January 2005}} After losing striker and captain Robbie Blake and young midfielder Richard Chaplow they finished 13th in the Championship. In 2005–06 he led Burnley to a 17th-place finish, again having to sell his star striker, the club's leading goal scorer Ade Akinbiyi to Sheffield United for £1.75 million.

The 2006–07 season began well, with a series of wins. Cotterill also won the Championship Manager of the Month for October 2006.{{cite web|title=MANAGER OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER 2006 |url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/mom-7-10-2006.html |publisher=www.leaguemanagers.com |access-date=31 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811071603/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/mom-7-10-2006.html |archive-date=11 August 2014 }} However Burnley were dealt a blow in November when leading goalscorer Andy Gray was sidelined until February. Akinbiyi was re-signed in the January transfer window,{{cite news |title=Burnley re-sign Blades' Akinbiyi |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/6222637.stm |access-date=9 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 January 2007}} but the striker took nine games to score a goal.{{cite news |title=March 5: Championship round up |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/march-5-championship-round-up-3mtt262r2vx |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=The Times |date=5 March 2007}} Cotterill eventually left the club on 8 November 2007 by mutual consent, after earning the title of longest serving manager in the league with three years seven months service. He left the club in 15th place in the league having won just one game in ten.{{cite news|title=Burnley manager Cotterill departs|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/7085172.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2012|date=8 November 2007}}

In August 2008, Steve Cotterill was offered the chance to become the head coach and technical director of USL First Division Minnesota Thunder after Amos Magee stepped down. Cotterill was offered a temporary seven-week contract with a view to a longer deal when the season ended. As it would take two weeks to obtain a work permit, leaving only five weeks with Minnesota, Cotterill decided to turn this opportunity down.{{cite news |url=http://www.burnleyexpress.net/burnleyfc/Permit-steals-Cotterill39s-Thunder.4359468.jp |title=Permit steals Cotterill's Thunder |work=Burnley Express |author=Boden, Chris |date=5 August 2008 |access-date=15 December 2008}}

=Notts County=

On 23 February 2010, it was announced that Cotterill would be manager of Notts County until the end of the season.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11750_5974039,00.html | work=Sky Sports | title=County appoint Cotterill | date=23 February 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8530392.stm | work=BBC News | title=Cotterill named Notts County boss | date=23 February 2010 | access-date=24 May 2010}} On 3 April 2010, Cotterill was named March Football League Two Manager of the Month for six wins and two draws in the month. Cotterill also received this accolade for April 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2013711,00.html |title=Duo scoop adwards |date=3 April 2010 |publisher=nottscountyfc.co.uk |access-date=3 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406010705/http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2013711,00.html |archive-date=6 April 2010 }} On 27 April 2010, Notts County were crowned champions of League Two after defeating Darlington 5–0.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8621001.stm | title=Darlington 0–5 Notts County | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=10 April 2015}}

After the 2009–10 season, Cotterill was linked with the vacant Coventry City post but had said that Coventry did not try to contact him.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8665414.stm |title=Notts boss Steve Cotterill denies Coventry contact|date= 7 May 2010|access-date = 28 May 2010|work=BBC News}} Two weeks later Cotterill publicly turned down the job.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8689652.stm |title=Notts County boss Steve Cotterill rejects Coventry job|date=19 May 2010|access-date = 28 May 2010|work=BBC News}} On 25 May, another Championship club, Portsmouth confirmed interest in the Notts County boss.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8704444.stm |title=Portsmouth eye Notts County's Steve Cotterill|date=25 May 2010|access-date = 28 May 2010|work=BBC News}}

On 27 May 2010, Notts County announced that Cotterill had left after failing to commit his future to the club. Notts County chairman, Ray Trew said of Cotterill: "The job that Steve did for us here will live long in the memory of all Notts County fans and, as is a mark of all great managers, he leaves the club in a much better position than when he arrived."{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8707408.stm |title=Manager Steve Cotterill leaves Notts County|date=27 May 2010|access-date = 28 May 2010|work=BBC News}}

=Portsmouth=

Cotterill was appointed as manager of Portsmouth on 18 June 2010, with the club in financial difficulty.{{cite news|title=Steve Cotterill confirmed as Portsmouth manager|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/portsmouth/7837047/Steve-Cotterill-confirmed-as-Portsmouth-manager.html|access-date=31 October 2012|newspaper=www.telegraph.co.uk|date=18 June 2010|location=London}} Cotterill played a key role in stabilising Portsmouth through some turbulent times which saw the club nearly in liquidation.{{cite news|title=Blues seek Cotterill talks|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/6987009/Blues-seek-Cotterill-talks|access-date=31 October 2012|date=13 June 2011|work=Sky Sports}} His performance as manager with Portsmouth saw him linked with the manager's job at other clubs, including that at Birmingham City.

In his second full season and under new ownership, Portsmouth were expected to improve on the previous season's performance. However, the team won just two of their first 10 league matches in the Championship.{{cite web|title=Championship – 2010–11|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/match/index.html?event=9;season=2010%2F11;team=334|publisher=www.espn.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2012}} On 4 October 2011, the joint owner of Portsmouth, Roman Dubov backed him saying "We support him and believe in him – his talent, his attitude and his work".{{cite web|title=Cotterill gets Dubov backing|url=http://www.football.co.uk/portsmouth/cotterill_gets_dubov_backing_rss1875681.shtml|publisher=www.football.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2012}}

It later became public knowledge that Nottingham Forest were interested in hiring Cotterill as their new manager after Steve McClaren resigned from his post on 2 October 2011 after 111 days in charge. This followed the club's poor start to the season and allegations by McClaren of broken promises by the Nottingham Forest board regarding the signing of loan players.{{cite news|title=Steve McClaren leaves Nottingham Forest after 111 days |url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Steve-McClaren-leaves-Nottingham-Forest-111-days/story-13461706-detail/story.html |access-date=1 November 2012 |newspaper=www.thisisnottingham.co.uk |date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106083501/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Steve-McClaren-leaves-Nottingham-Forest-111-days/story-13461706-detail/story.html |archive-date=6 January 2012 }} Cotterill was granted permission to speak with Nottingham Forest on 14 October 2011 after compensation was agreed with Portsmouth.

=Nottingham Forest=

Cotterill was appointed as manager on 14 October 2011 on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He won four of his first six games in charge.{{cite web|title=Steve Cotterill Named New Pompey Manager |url=http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Steve-Cotterill-Named-New-Pompey-Manager-1037.aspx |publisher=Portsmouth FC |access-date=18 June 2010 |date=18 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621045049/http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Steve-Cotterill-Named-New-Pompey-Manager-1037.aspx |archive-date=21 June 2010 }}{{cite news|title= Portsmouth appoint Steve Coterill as manager|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8747461.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=18 June 2010|date=18 June 2010}} Cotterill began his Forest reign with a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough{{cite news|title=Nottm Forest 2–0 Middlesbrough|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15252346|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 October 2012|date=18 October 2011}} and a 2–1 win at Blackpool.{{cite news |title=Blackpool 1-2 Nott'm Forest |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/15319684.stm |access-date=9 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2011}} The turnaround was short-lived though as a run of seven games without a goal, during which Forest suffered six defeats leaving them in the bottom three at the turn of the year. Forest ended that sequence with a 3–1 win at Ipswich Town on 2 January 2012{{cite news|title=Ipswich 1–3 Nott'm Forest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16331502|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 October 2012|date=2 January 2012}} and followed that with a 0–0 draw at home to Leicester City in the third round of the FA Cup. A 4–0 defeat in the replay{{cite news|title=Leicester City 4–0 Nott'm Forest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16509039|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 October 2012|date=17 January 2012}} and two more league defeats, as part of six consecutive home league defeats, meant by the end of January 2012 Forest were 23rd in the league.{{cite web | url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/results/2012-01-31/nottingham-forest-v-burnley | title=English League Championship – 31st January 201 | publisher=www.statto.com | access-date=10 April 2015}} From mid February, Forest's fortunes improved, starting with a 2–0 win over fellow relegation candidates Coventry City.{{cite news|title=Nott'm Forest 2–0 Coventry|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16994870|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 October 2012|date=18 February 2012}} This culminated in Forest finishing 19th and ten points clear of relegation.{{cite web|title=Football -archive Championship 2011/12|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/match/index.html?event=9;season=2011%2F12;team=327|publisher=www.espn.co.uk|access-date=30 October 2012}} Cotterill left the club on 12 July 2012 following the take-over of the club by the Al-Hasawi family,{{cite news|title=Steve Cotterill: Nottingham Forest owners Al-Hasawi family sack boss|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18812339|newspaper=BBC Sport|access-date=12 July 2012|date=12 July 2012}} despite Fawaz Al-Hasawi having previously favoured Cotterill's retention and despite Cotterill's own wish to remain.{{cite web|last1=Taylor|first1=Paul|title=Why onesie made of Billy Davies' skin would be perfect gift for Fawaz as he leaves Nottingham Forest|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/why-onesie-made-of-billy-davies-skin-would-be-perfect-gift-for-fawaz-as-he-leaves-nottingham-forest/story-30335916-detail/story.html|website=Nottingham Post|publisher=Local World Ltd.|access-date=22 May 2017}}

In January 2013 he joined Queens Park Rangers to be part of Harry Redknapp's coaching staff on a short-term basis.{{cite news|title=QPR: Steve Cotterill joins Harry Redknapp as coach|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20984599|newspaper=BBC Sport|access-date=11 January 2013|date=11 January 2013}}

Cotterill was invited by Redknapp to coach again in the 2013–14 season but declined the offer and left the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Cheltenham-Town-manage-Premier-League-vows/story-19499191-detail/story.html#axzz2ZFLSyqBr |title=Cheltenham Town: I will still manage in the Premier League vows Cotterill |publisher=www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk |date=10 July 2013 |access-date=17 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717114712/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Cheltenham-Town-manage-Premier-League-vows/story-19499191-detail/story.html |archive-date=17 July 2013 }}

=Bristol City=

On 3 December 2013, Cotterill was appointed manager of League One club Bristol City on a three-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news|title=Steve Cotterill: Bristol City appoint ex-Forest boss as manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25189059|newspaper=BBC Sport|access-date=3 December 2013|date=3 December 2013}} In his first season in charge, Cotterill guided Bristol City to 12th place in League One.{{cite web | url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bristol-city/2013-2014 | title=Bristol City 2013–14 | publisher=www.statto.com | access-date=23 March 2015}} In his second season in charge, the 2014–15 season, City won the Football League Trophy, for a record third time. 10 points clear at the top of League One and 37 points ahead of their rivals, City beat Walsall 2–0 at Wembley on 22 March 2015.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31893144 | title=Bristol City 2–0 Walsall | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=23 March 2015}} Cotterill guided Bristol City to promotion from League One in the 2014–15 season with a club record of 99 points.{{cite web|title=A Potted History|url=http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/a-potted-history-405403.aspx|website=Bristol City Football Club|access-date=11 July 2016}} Club chairman Keith Dawe said that the season's success "will live in the memory for a long time".{{cite news|title=Steve Cotterill sacked as Bristol City manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35319397|publisher=BBC|access-date=11 July 2016|date=14 January 2016}} Their form since the start of the season under Cotterill was described as "imperious" and promotion was gained on 14 April 2015 after a 0–6 away win at Bradford City.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32199775 | title=Bradford City 0–6 Bristol City | publisher=BBC Sport | date=14 April 2015 | access-date=15 April 2015 | author=Marshall, Brendon}}

On 18 April 2015, Bristol City were crowned League One champions following a 0–0 draw at home to Coventry City.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32261976 | title=Bristol City 0–0 Coventry | publisher=BBC Sport | date=18 April 2015 | access-date=18 April 2015}} This made them the first club to win both the Football League Trophy and League One in the same season since Birmingham City in 1995.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/22/bristol-city-walsall-johnstones-paint-trophy-match-report | title=Bristol City tick off their first objective with comfortable win over Walsall | work=The Guardian | date=22 March 2015 | access-date=18 April 2015 | author=Ashdown, John}} It was Bristol City's first league title win for 60 years since their win in the 1954–55 Division Three South.{{cite web | url=http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/bristol-city-201415-champions-2410237.aspx | title=Bristol City 2014/15 Champions | publisher=www.bcfc.co.uk | access-date=19 April 2015}} Following Bristol City's promotion to the Championship, Cotterill was named LMA League One Manager of the Year,{{cite news |title=Eddie Howe: Bournemouth boss is LMA manager of the year |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/32894562 |access-date=9 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2015}} having already earned Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month in September 2014 and March 2015.{{cite web | url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2014/20141009sepleague1motmrp-2007966.aspx | title=Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month for September. | publisher=www.football-league.co.uk | access-date=11 April 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/steve-cotterill-named-sky-bet-league-1-manager-of-the-month-2386343.aspx | title=Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month for March. | publisher=www.football-league.co.uk | access-date=11 April 2015}}

Despite their successes in League One, the squad struggled in the Championship after a series of rejected transfers following a lack of investment.{{cite web|title=Bristol City – Transfer League|url=http://www.transferleague.co.uk/bristol-city/english-football-teams/bristol-city-transfers|website=Transfer League|access-date=12 December 2016}} Only 256 days after Cotterill had led them back to the Championship, Cotterill was dismissed by Keith Dawe on 14 January 2016, despite his earlier favourable appraisal of Cotterill: "I believe Steve Cotterill has the capacity to be a Premier League manager".{{Cite news|title = Cotterill sacked as Bristol City boss|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35319397|newspaper = BBC|access-date = 15 January 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Stockhausen|first1=Andy|title=BRISTOL CITY: Chairman Keith Dawe tips Steve Cotterill for Premier League future|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-city-chairman-keith-dawe-tips-steve/story-26591122-detail/story.html|website=Bristol Post|publisher=Trinity Mirror|access-date=21 July 2016}} Other senior figures at the club were also supportive of Cotterill prior to his dismissal, such as club owner Steve Lansdown: "He is the man at the helm to take us forward".{{cite news|title=Bristol City: Steve Cotterill gets Steve Lansdown backing|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35151703|access-date=11 July 2016}}

=Birmingham City=

With three matches left of the 2016–17 season, Cotterill joined Birmingham City as first-team coach under new manager Harry Redknapp. He played his part in preparing the team to gain the two wins needed to avoid relegation to League One, but decided against remaining with the club as assistant manager for 2017–18.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39628280 |title=Birmingham City: Harry Redknapp named manager after Gianfranco Zola's resignation |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2017 |access-date=23 May 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-steve-cotterill-makes-13042532 |title=Birmingham City: Steve Cotterill makes a decision on his Blues future |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=16 May 2017 |access-date=23 May 2017}} After Redknapp's dismissal in September 2017, Cotterill agreed a 2½-year contract as Birmingham manager, to take effect on 2 October.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41441179 |title=Steve Cotterill: Birmingham City appoint former Bristol City boss as new manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=7 October 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/steve-cotterill-appointed-manager/ |title=Steve Cotterill appointed manager |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=7 October 2017 |archive-date=10 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210115854/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/steve-cotterill-appointed-manager/ |url-status=dead }} After five months in post, during which the team remained in and around the relegation zone, and after a fifth successive league defeat – performance affected at least in part by a series of injuries and boardroom politics{{cite web|title=Blues stretched by injuries ahead of Fulham trip|url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/blues-stretched-by-injuries-ahead-of-fulham-trip/|website=Birmingham City Football Club|access-date=15 March 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Evans|first1=Gregg|title=Birmingham City dealt major injury blow ahead of Aston Villa clash|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-dealt-major-injury-14269013|website=Birmingham Live|date=9 February 2018|access-date=15 March 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Percy|first1=John|title=Steve Cotterill sacked as Birmingham City manager as club face relegation to League One|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/03/03/steve-cotterill-resign-birmingham-city-manager-club-face-relegation/|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=3 March 2018|access-date=15 March 2018}} – Cotterill was dismissed on 3 March 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/steve-cotterill-birmingham-city-statement/ |title=Steve Cotterill – Birmingham City statement |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=3 March 2018 |access-date=3 March 2018 |archive-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812002830/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/steve-cotterill-birmingham-city-statement/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/11275116/steve-cotterill-sacked-by-birmingham-city |title=Steve Cotterill sacked by Birmingham City |publisher=Sky Sports |date=4 March 2018 |access-date=4 March 2018}}

=Shrewsbury Town=

On 27 November 2020, Cotterill was announced as manager of League One club Shrewsbury Town, just two days after the departure of Sam Ricketts.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/11/27/steve-cotterill-appointed-shrewsbury-town-boss/ |title=Steve Cotterill appointed Shrewsbury Town boss |last=Cox |first=Lewis |work=Shropshire Star Sport |date=27 November 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55101053 |title=Steve Cotterill appointed as new Shrewsbury Town manager |work=BBC Sport |date=27 November 2020}} He took charge of his first game two days later, a 1–0 win at home to National League South side Oxford City in the second round of the FA Cup thanks to an extra time winner from Daniel Udoh.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55072419 |title=Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Oxford City (AET) |work=BBC Sport |date=29 November 2020}} He took charge of his first league game on 2 December, a 2–2 draw at home to Accrington Stanley,{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/shrewsbury-vs-accrington/report/430987 |title=Shrewsbury 2-2 Accrington: Home fans frustrated as Stanley nick late draw |work=Sky Sports |date=2 December 2020}} was followed by a 1–0 win away at table-toppers Hull City{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11714/12154480/hull-0-1-shrewsbury-charlie-daniels-strike-stuns-league-one-leaders |title=Hull 0-1 Shrewsbury: Charlie Daniels strike stuns League One leaders |website=Sky Sports |date=12 December 2020}} and wins by the same score at second-place Lincoln City{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55225547 |title=Lincoln City 0-1 Shrewsbury Town |website=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2020}} and third-place Doncaster Rovers on 22 December. With this, he completed a hat-trick of away wins against top sides in the division and nine points from a possible nine.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/12/22/doncaster-0-shrewsbury-town-1-report/ |title=Doncaster 0 Shrewsbury Town 1 - Report |date=22 December 2020 |website=Shropshire Star Sport}}

On 19 January 2021, Cotterill's Shrewsbury side travelled to Premier League side Southampton for an FA Cup third round tie. However, assistant manager Aaron Wilbraham took charge as stand-in manager as Cotterill had been in intensive care after suffering from COVID-19.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55705684 |title=Steve Cotterill: Shrewsbury Town boss in hospital with Covid-19 |date=18 January 2021 |work=BBC Sport}} The Shrews lost 2–0.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2021/01/19/fa-cup-southampton-2-shrewsbury-town-0-report/|title=FA Cup: Southampton 2 Shrewsbury Town 0 - Report |date=19 January 2021 |last=Cox |first=Lewis |work=Shropshire Star}} He was treated in hospital for COVID-19 for 33 days before being released on 16 February.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56089153|title = Shrewsbury boss Cotterill exits hospital|work = BBC Sport}} On 1 March 2021, Cotterill was re-admitted to hospital after suffering from COVID-pneumonia.{{Cite web|date=1 March 2021|title=Cotterill re-admitted to hospital after suffering from COVID-pneumonia|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11761/12232728/shrewsbury-manager-steve-cotterill-back-in-hospital-after-suffering-covid-pneumonia|access-date=1 March 2021|website=Sky Sports}} On 15 March 2021, Cotterill was discharged for hospital for a second time, where he continued his recovery at home.{{Cite web|date=15 March 2021|title=Steve Cotterill: Shrewsbury Town boss released from hospital to continue recovery from Covid-pneumonia|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11761/12247130/steve-cotterill-shrewsbury-town-boss-released-from-hospital-to-continue-recovery-from-covid-pneumonia|access-date=17 March 2021|website=Sky Sports}}

On 1 June 2023, Cotterill was reported to be set to resign as Shrewsbury manager,{{cite news |title=Steve Cotterill: Shrewsbury Town boss to resign after two and a half years in charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65780345 |access-date=1 June 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2023}} a move confirmed on 6 June 2023.{{cite news |title=Steve Cotterill: Shrewsbury Town manager's departure confirmed by League One club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65825261 |access-date=7 June 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2023}}

=Forest Green Rovers=

On 25 January 2024, Cotterill was announced as the new manager of League Two club Forest Green Rovers who had not won in their previous 12 matches and were six points from safety at the bottom of the league.{{cite web | title=Forest Green appoint Cotterill as manager | website=BBC Sport | date=25 January 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68085218 | access-date=29 January 2024}} Cotterill could not prevent relegation, which was confirmed with two matches remaining.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68763515 |title=Forest Green Rovers relegated from League Two after seven seasons in EFL |website=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2024 |access-date=18 April 2024}}

Personal life

Cotterill was 11 when his father died. His mother died when she was 56{{cite news |title=Cotterill's tragic time on Wearside |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/5804479.cotterills-tragic-time-wearside/ |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=The Lancashire Telegraph |date=17 December 2004}} and he was 38. He then adopted a strict fitness regime because "all my family had gone and I made a decision that I am hanging around. I want to live to a grand old age".{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Jon |title=Former Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill on recovering from health scare and why he's ready to work again |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-portsmouth-notts-county-3390508 |access-date=2 February 2021 |publisher=Gloucestershire Live |date=4 October 2019}} In 2019, he had surgery to replace a ruptured disc in his neck.

During 2021, Cotterill was twice admitted to Bristol Royal Infirmary with severe COVID-19 symptoms compounded by emphysema and a punctured lung. In an interview with the BBC he described being '...frightened to go to sleep in case I didn't wake up'.{{Cite news|title='I was frightened to go to sleep in case I didn't wake up'|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57887668|access-date=20 July 2021}}

Career statistics

=As a player=

Source:{{ENFA}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other{{ref label\|Other\|A

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|FA Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Other{{ref label|Other|A

}

!colspan="2"|Total

!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

|rowspan="6"|Wimbledon

|1988–89

|First Division

|4||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||1

|1989–90

|First Division

|2||1||0||0||1||0||2||0||5||1

|1990–91

|First Division

|4||1||0||0||1||0||0||0||5||1

|1991–92

|First Division

|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0

|1992–93

|Premier League

|7||3||3||1||0||0||0||0||10||4

!colspan="2"|Total

!17!!6!!3!!1!!2!!0!!2!!0!!24!!7

|Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)

|1992–93

|Second Division

|11||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||11||4

|rowspan="3"|AFC Bournemouth

|1993–94

|Second Division

|37||14||3||1||4||0||1||0||45||15

|1994–95

|Second Division

|8||1||0||0||2||2||0||0||10||3

!colspan="2"|Total

!45!!15!!3!!1!!6!!2!!1!!0!!55!!18

!colspan="3"|Career total

!73!!25!!6!!2!!8!!2!!3!!0!!90!!29

:A. {{note|Other}} The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Full Members' Cup and the Football League Trophy.

=As a manager=

{{updated|21 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Steve Cotterill |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1577 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=5 November 2017}}{{ENFA}}{{cite web |title=Steve Cotterill - Managers - Manager Stats |url=https://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/steve-cotterill/ |website=Manager Statistics |access-date=17 March 2021}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=left\|Sligo Rovers \|align=left\|1 July 1995 \|align=left\|28 September 1996 {{WDL\|55\|26\|15\|14\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Cheltenham Town \|align=left\|1 February 1997 \|align=left\|27 May 2002 {{WDL\|303\|147\|79\|77\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Stoke City \|align=left\|27 May 2002 \|align=left\|10 October 2002 {{WDL\|13\|3\|5\|5\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Burnley \|align=left\|3 June 2004 \|align=left\|8 November 2007 {{WDL\|161\|55\|50\|56\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Notts County \|align=left\|23 February 2010 \|align=left\|27 May 2010 {{WDL\|18\|14\|3\|1\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Portsmouth \|align=left\|18 June 2010 \|align=left\|14 October 2011 {{WDL\|61\|18\|17\|26\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Nottingham Forest \|align=left\|14 October 2011 \|align=left\|12 July 2012 {{WDL\|37\|12\|7\|18\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Bristol City \|align=left\|3 December 2013 \|align=left\|14 January 2016 {{WDL\|116\|53\|35\|28\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Birmingham City \|align=left\|2 October 2017 \|align=left\|3 March 2018 {{WDL\|27\|7\|5\|15\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Shrewsbury Town \|align=left\|27 November 2020 \|align=left\|6 June 2023 {{WDL\|143\|48\|31\|64\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Forest Green Rovers \|align=left\|25 January 2024 \|align=left\|present {{WDL\|72\|32\|18\|22\|decimals=2}}
colspan=3\|Total {{WDLtot\|1006\|415\|265\|326}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

align=left|Sligo Rovers

|align=left|1 July 1995

|align=left|28 September 1996

align=left|Cheltenham Town

|align=left|1 February 1997

|align=left|27 May 2002

align=left|Stoke City

|align=left|27 May 2002

|align=left|10 October 2002

align=left|Burnley

|align=left|3 June 2004

|align=left|8 November 2007

align=left|Notts County

|align=left|23 February 2010

|align=left|27 May 2010

align=left|Portsmouth

|align=left|18 June 2010

|align=left|14 October 2011

align=left|Nottingham Forest

|align=left|14 October 2011

|align=left|12 July 2012

align=left|Bristol City

|align=left|3 December 2013

|align=left|14 January 2016

align=left|Birmingham City

|align=left|2 October 2017

|align=left|3 March 2018

align=left|Shrewsbury Town

|align=left|27 November 2020

|align=left|6 June 2023

align=left|Forest Green Rovers

|align=left|25 January 2024

|align=left|present

colspan=3|Total

Honours

Manager

Cheltenham Town

Football League Third Division play-offs: 2002
Football Conference: 1998–99{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18070815 | title=Steve Cotterill says pressure is off Cheltenham in play-offs | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=23 March 2015}}
FA Trophy: 1997–98{{cite news|url=http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Cheltenham-Town-legend-Steve-Cotterill-celebrates/story-26213320-detail/story.html |title=Cheltenham Town Legend Steve Cotterill wins for the second time at Wembley |work=Gloucestershire Echo |access-date=23 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323221517/http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Cheltenham-Town-legend-Steve-Cotterill-celebrates/story-26213320-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 March 2015 }}

Notts County

Football League Two: 2009–10{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/steve-cotterill/154890/ |title=S. Cotterill | work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=27 May 2017}}

Bristol City

Football League One: 2014–15{{cite web | url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/sky-bet-league-1-round-up-2409877.aspx | title=Sky Bet League 1 round-up | publisher=www.football-league.co.uk | access-date=18 April 2015}}
Football League Trophy: 2014–15

Individual

Championship Manager of the Month: October 2006{{cite web | url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/steve-cotterill/ | title=Steve Cotterill | publisher=www.leaguemanagers.com | access-date=11 April 2015 | archive-date=11 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411095057/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/steve-cotterill/ | url-status=dead }}
League One Manager of the Month: September 2014, March 2015 December 2020{{cite news |title=Sky Bet League One: December Manager and Player of the Month winners |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2021/january/sky-bet-league-one-december-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |work=English Football League |date=8 January 2021}}
Football League One Manager of the Year: 2014–15
League Two Manager of the Month: March 2010, April 2010
Football Conference Manager of the Year: 1997–98,1998–99
Honorary Fellowship (University of Gloucestershire): 2000{{cite web|title=Honorary Degree Recipients|url=http://www.glos.ac.uk/discover/heritage/pages/honorary-degree-recipients.aspx|website=University of Gloucestershire|access-date=21 July 2016}}
Manager Special Achievement of the Year Award: 2014–15{{cite web|last1=Stockhausen|first1=Andy|title=BRISTOL CITY: Top award for boss Steve Cotterill, who is named League One manager of the year|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/breaking-bristol-city-boss-steve-cotterill-named/story-26579123-detail/story.html|website=Bristol Post|publisher=Trinity Mirror|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183845/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BREAKING-Bristol-City-boss-Steve-Cotterill-named/story-26579123-detail/story.html|url-status=dead}}