The curtain recently came down on the League One season, with Peterborough missing out on a spot in the playoffs at the hands of Wycombe by virtue of the way the points per game table was worked out.
Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony put so much faith in the manager and the players at the start of the year, he stated on social media that he’d quit if his side failed to secure a playoff spot by the end of the season. So what does the future hold for the club?
One of the favourites for the 2020/21 season
Regardless of how this season has ended, Peterborough will be one of the favourites for promotion next year. Mostly due to the fact that their player recruitment has been nothing short of amazing over the last decade or so. They’ve brought in some incredible talent and many have gone on to do great things at a higher level.
Although the odds for next season aren’t available just yet, it’s worth keeping an eye on when they appear for anyone who loves a pre-season punt on a season outright. Many fans like to back their own team to go up whatever the odds. Bet365 has competitive odds for example, so keep an eye on Posh’s price in the League One outright market when that is released once the playoffs are over in a few weeks.
Players depart
Peterborough have wasted no time setting the wheels in motion ahead of the next campaign by announcing some player and staff departures. Marcus Maddison is one of six players to leave the club along with goalkeepers Aaron Chapman and Conor O’Malley, defender Rhys Bennett, and midfielders Callum Cooke and Alex Woodyard.
Posh manager Darren Ferguson expressed his thanks to all six: “I would like to thank the six players for their efforts on behalf of the football club and wish them well for the future.”
Club legend and first-team coach Aaron McLean has also left Peterborough along with Head Analyst Sean O’Callaghan.
Ferguson said: “I would like to thank Aaron and Sean for their efforts on behalf of the football club. Sean has been an important member of the backroom staff in his role. Aaron is a legend of the football club and will always be a legend of this football club. Unfortunately, in today’s climate, tough decisions have to be made for the long-term benefit of the football club. I wish both well in the future.”
It remains to be seen who their replacements will be, but it’s clear that work has already started on righting the wrongs of this season to get ready for a promotion push next year.
Will Dmac step down?
Speculation was rife that Darragh MacAnthony would leave the club if they failed to achieve at least a playoff spot this season. After a 1-0 away defeat to AFC Wimbledon back in January, the Posh chairman took to Twitter to voice his support for the team: “Let me break my usual Saturday silence to answer the critics/experts. I have so much confidence in manager/staff/players that if we don’t achieve the play offs this season I’ll step down as chairman.”
He’s a man of his word and he stated recently that he will step down as chairman. But – and it is a big but – he has no intention of leaving as he’s going to simply change his title to ‘El Presidente/Owner’ of Peterborough United Football Club. Much to the relief of many fans.
Co-owner Stewart Thompson confirmed as much recently: “Twitter trolls.. you don’t run my club.. I have two great partners and we run this club well thank you very much. so I’ll let you know the Board has not accepted the resignation of DMac.. “El presidente” is still “El Director” #poshvengeance tour begins.”
So there you have it. Darragh is staying, players and staff have already left, other top players such as League One’s top scorer Ivan Toney look like they may be staying, and no doubt some talented new faces will arrive at London Road in the coming months.
It doesn’t seem fair in many people’s eyes that a side who thumped Wycombe 4-0 only in January and were above them in the league when football was brought to a halt should be punished by the league’s decision to curtail the season, but that’s done now, there’s no changing that decision.
Peterborough will be set for another promotion push season next year, and the very best of luck to them. UTP.
