Plymouth Argyle's players returned to training today after a couple of days off with coach Kevin Nancekivell still in temporary charge of the first team along with injured club captain Joe Edwards.

After a gruelling five games in 15 days over the Christmas and new year period, the Pilgrims' squad had Sunday and Monday to rest and recover, and take stock of recent events at the Championship club, most notably the departure of head coach Wayne Rooney.

The expectation is that Argyle will appoint the successor to Rooney ahead of the Emirates FA Cup third round tie away to Brentford on Saturday. Assuming it is done in good time before the trip to west London, it will bring to an end Nancekivell's fifth stint in 'caretaker' charge of his beloved Pilgrims.

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The 53-year-old will be mightily relieved about that because being 'a manager' is not what he has ever wanted to be, even though he holds the much-coveted UEFA Pro Licence coaching award. He is a coach, and that is what he has always focused on.

Asked last week how he felt about being back in temporary charge of Argyle, Nancekivell said: "I don't mind the challenge. We are all football people, we all want to win and kick every ball. Do I like doing it? No, I'm not going to suddenly turn around and say I do, because I don't.

"I'm not a manager, and I have said it for 20-odd years. I do not want to be a manager, but I love this football club more than anything else apart from my family and when they ask me to do something I will do it."

In four of his five stints in temporary charge of Argyle, Nancekivell has shared the responsibility with others - the first time with Romain Larrieu, twice with Neil Dewsnip last season and now with Edwards.

He would be the first to acknowledge the contributions of all three of those men, but in the long-serving Nancekivell, who has seen so much change at Home Park over the years, Argyle have had a very safe pair of hands for situations such as they are going through again now.

That is backed up by the Pilgrims' record in games when Nancekivell has been the caretaker boss. They have secured 18 points from 14 matches, with four wins, six draws and four defeats, which is more than respectable, especially given they have come during some challenging circumstances.

Plymouth Live understands Argyle have had initial conversations with potential candidates to succeed Rooney and the aim is still to make an appointment before the FA Cup clash against Brentford.

ARGYLE UNDER KEVIN NANCEKIVELL

January 2013 - with Romain Larrieu

Saturday, January 5, 2013: League Two (A) Port Vale Lost 4-0

May 2019

Saturday, May 4, 2019: League One (H) Scunthorpe United Won 3-2

December 2023-January 2024 - with Neil Dewsnip

Saturday, December 23, 2023: Championship (H) Birmingham City Drew 3-3

Tuesday, December 26, 2023: Championship (A) Cardiff City Drew 2-2

Friday, December 29, 2023: Championship (A) Southampton Lost 2-1

Monday, January 1, 2024: Championship (H) Watford Drew 3-3

April-May 2024 - with Neil Dewsnip

Friday, April 5, 2024: Championship (A) Rotherham United Won 1-0

Tuesday, April 9, 2024: Championship (H) Queens Park Rangers Drew 1-1

Friday, April 12, 2024: Championship (H) Leicester City Won 1-0

Saturday, April 20, 2024: Championship (A) Stoke City Lost 3-0

Saturday, April 27, 2024: Championship (A) Millwall Lost 1-0

Saturday, May 4: Championship (H) Hull City Won 1-0

January 2025 - with Joe Edwards

Wednesday, January 1, 2025: Championship (H) Bristol City Drew 2-2

Saturday, January 4, 2025: Championship (A) Stoke City Drew 0-0

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