Braced for Shez exit

John Sheridan

JOHN Sheridan is expected to be installed as Notts County's new manager, providing a massive blow to Athletic and the club's supporters.

Sources in the East Midlands suggested this morning that compensation had been agreed between the two clubs, paving the way for the popular manager's exit.

The 51-year-old's impending departure, which comes after he was linked with roles at Bolton and Leeds, will see him reunited with Jason Turner, the chief executive at Meadow Lane and a figure he worked closely with in previous roles at Plymouth and Newport.

Athletic are highly reluctant to lose the services of a man who has played such a massive part in revitalising the club's fortunes in the latter half of the season.

But Sheridan ­- who has just returned from a family holiday ­- is said to see the job at the League Two club as an exciting challenge. Notts County, who previously had Mark Cooper in charge, are currently in the midst of a transfer embargo, but are expected to come out of it by next week.

The Magpies, who finished 17th in League Two last season, are expected to be working with a playing budget that is larger than Athletic's for next season.

Compensation received by Athletic could run into six figures. But the loss of Sheridan could hardly come at a worse time, as the SportsDirect.com Park club attempt to generate season ticket sales for 2016-17.

Sheridan held talks with Athletic's board two weeks ago regarding his player plans for next season and was subsequently in attendance to see the youth team in action.

Speculation has continued apace both before and since that he would be leaving to join other clubs.

Athletic twice stated that they did not want to lose Sheridan when links with Bolton and Leeds emerged. "We haven't received an approach and one wouldn't be welcomed," was the line on both of those occasions.

Now, though, the club will have to try to find a sixth manager, after five have left inside the last 15 months. A period of stability ended when Lee Johnson upped sticks for Barnsley and none of Dean Holden, Darren Kelly, David Dunn and Sheridan have held the post for more than five months.

Sheridan was linked with the Notts County job in December, with owner Ray Trew's eye caught by the way he lifted Newport County out of danger in League Two.

His spell at Athletic saw him raise the club's fortunes dramatically, winning nine of his 22 matches in charge to save the club from what had appeared to be a likely relegation to the bottom division.

Meanwhile, former Athletic loan striker Aaron Holloway has joined Fleetwood Town on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Wycombe Wanderers.

The 23-year-old appeared more than 50 times for the Chairboys during a two-year spell at Adams Park, and started their play-off final defeat to Southend United at Wembley in May, 2015.

Athletic made a move for his services on an emergency loan deal in February this year, and he scored two goals in 10 appearances at SportsDirect.com Park.

Holloway won Athletic's goal of the season award for his sublime strike against rivals Rochdale.