National League Chester appoint ex-Grimsby and Solihull boss Bignot

By Matt Bishop
National League strugglers Chester have appointed former Solihull Moors and Grimsby Town manager Marcus Bignot as the club’s new manager.
The 43-year-old was sacked by the Mariners in April, after a just five months in charge of the League Two side, but had great success with Moors and replaces former Blues boss Jon McCarthy, who was sacked earlier this month.
Bignot reportedly beat a host of other bosses to land his new job – fighting off competition from the likes of club legend Graham Barrow, Richard Money and Ronnie Moore.
Saturday’s 4-0 hammering at Dover has left Chester languishing fourth bottom in Non-League‘s top-tier, with ‘keeper Alex Lynch admitting after the game that a new manager was needed to lift a squad very low on confidence.
Bignot is that man, and he will be tasked with the job of turning the club’s fortunes around this season, and rekindling the kind of ability he showed during his five years in charge of Solihull.
The former Birmingham City ladies coach initially arrived at Damson Park as Micky Moore’s assistant in 2011, but was quickly appointed manager after Moore resigned shortly before the start of the 2011-12 campaign.
During a brilliant spell in the Midlands, Bignot led his side to the National League North title in 2016 – wrapping the division up with three games to spare – and then set the foundations that helped Moors establish themselves in the National League.
His work with Moors impressed Grimsby, who made an official approach for his services in November 2016, and his first win in charge at Blundell Park saw the Mariners beat Plymouth, who were table-toppers at the time, 3-0.
Sadly, his time in the EFL came to an abrupt end, with many labelling his sacking harsh, and he left Grimsby in April with the club 14th, having won nine of his 25 games in charge.
Is he the right man for the job? Let us know your thoughts at @NonLeaguePaper.