Nationwide League: McAllister faces uphill battle

Gary McAllister will face ‘‘an appallingly difficult task’’ to return Coventry to the top flight if he takes over as City manager, according to former chairman Jimmy Hill.

Liverpool’s Scottish international midfielder is expected to be named as the new manager of the Sky Blues in the next 48 hours.

McAllister, who played more than 100 games for Coventry in a four-year career before moving to Anfield on a Bosman free transfer in July 2000, has been lined up to replace Roland Nilsson, who was sacked last week.

It would mark McAllister’s first foray into management after a successful playing career and he has vowed to bring in an experienced right-hand man.

But Hill insists the job of bringing the glory days back to Highfield Road is far from easy - especially considering the club’s lees-than-healthy bank balance.

Hill said: ‘‘If the situation was not as difficult financially as it is at Coventry you could almost say he’s going to make a success of it.

‘‘To give him a year or two to sort it out and then get Coventry back in the Premiership is a lovely dream and we’d like it to take place.

‘‘But the horror is whoever takes over won’t have a vast amount of money.

‘‘The huge debt is the most terribly difficult thing to inherit that anybody can have.

‘‘Gary has got the kind of qualities one would need as a manager - but Coventry are not in the ideal position.

‘‘Whoever takes over has an appallingly difficult task to turn round the financial situation and keep the fans happy by winning matches.’’

Hill added: ‘‘Gary is a likeable guy, a wonderful player and a captain and can set an example.

‘‘If he takes over he will have all the Coventry people behind him - he’s a wonderful, very popular person and professionally he’s first class.

‘‘Everyone at Coventry has a great respect for him so it looks like a marriage made in heaven.’’

McAllister revealed he has been busy trying to organise things in anticipation of taking over at Highfield Road.

He admitted: ‘‘I accept that, as a new manager, I am going to need the right help.

‘‘Now I am waiting for the certain things to fall into place and then we will take it from there.’’