Ian Holloway quits as Grimsby boss after 12-months and reveals on social media of ‘inappropriate’ contact by new owners

IAN HOLLOWAY has quit his role as manager of League Two strugglers Grimsby – and told fans exactly why.

The 57-year-old took charge of the Mariners a year ago but leaves them 20th in the fourth tier.

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Ian Holloway has quit his job as Grimsby managerCredit: PA

Now he has resigned from the job after last night’s 2-1 defeat to Bradford left them just six points above the relegation zone.

And he cited his ‘strained’ relationship with Grimsby’s possible new owners as the reason behind his exit.

Holloway explained in a lengthy Twitter thread: “To all the fans; it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my resignation as manager of Grimsby Town Football Club. New wannabe owners are hovering over GTFC and John (Fenty, majority shareholder) has told me he is selling his stake in the club, so it’s time for a fresh start across the board for this great club.

“Contact was made by the new owners to me on several occasions before the takeover, which I felt was inappropriate, and told them as such. This is the key factor in my decision.

“Why? The relationship between the incoming new owners, board and manager is so, so important. It needs to be strong for a club to succeed, and we got off on the wrong footing. Therefore, that relationship will be strained from the off, which is bad for the club.

“This is a club that, if everybody has its best interests at heart, can progress onwards and upwards. That is their challenge. That is their honour. I sincerely wish them all the best going forward and I implore them to communicate regularly and openly with the fans.

“For a myriad of reasons, on and off the pitch, it feels like we didn’t get a fair crack together, and I take my share of the blame too. I hoped for this to be a long, serious relationship but it hasn’t worked out that way, and that saddens me.

“I wish you every bit of success. The fans deserve it. God bless.”

Grimsby confirmed Holloway’s departure shortly after his tweets.

A statement read: “It is with great sadness and disappointment that Ian Holloway has made his intentions absolutely clear that with John Fenty agreeing to sell his shares, he does not want to remain at the club without progressing with the people that he came here to work with.

“The board and Ollie had a joint vision, first to improve the league position, secondly to deliver top class training facilities and finally by relocation to a new community stadium.

“It has been a difficult year for obvious reasons which invariably affected all clubs, some worse than others.

“The club, albeit prematurely, will prepare to move on to a new chapter and would like to put on record its thanks to Ian and Kim for committing themselves to our vision and wish them both all the very best for the future.”

Maverick Monday this week featuring hilarious manager Ian Holloway