Ian Holloway: Experienced manager leading Swindon Town
Introduction
Ian Holloway is a well-known figure in English football whose playing, managerial and media career continues to attract attention. As the current manager of EFL League Two club Swindon Town, Holloway’s record and experience are relevant to supporters, club stakeholders and followers of lower‑league football. His history of promotions and long playing career underline why his appointments are newsworthy.
Main body
Career highlights and background
Ian Scott Holloway (born 12 March 1963) has combined roles as a professional football manager, former player and media pundit. He enjoyed an extended playing career, including five seasons at Queens Park Rangers where he played more than 150 games. Holloway has repeatedly returned to clubs with which he has strong connections: he went back to Bristol Rovers for a third spell in August 1996 as player‑manager.
On the touchline Holloway has delivered notable achievements. He managed Crystal Palace to promotion to the Premier League in May 2013, repeating a promotion feat he had achieved with Blackpool three years earlier. His time at Palace proved brief at top‑flight level — after the club won only one of their opening eight games, Holloway left by mutual consent on 23 October 2013. Other distinctive moments recorded in available information include becoming the first Leicester manager in over 50 years to win his first league game in charge, a 2–0 victory over Bristol City.
Recent record at Swindon Town
According to manager statistics, Holloway was appointed as Swindon Town manager on 25 October 2024. Across 74 matches in charge of the club he has an overall points‑per‑match (PPM) of 1.70. Competition breakdowns show differing returns: in League Two he recorded 28 matches with 15 wins, 4 draws and 9 losses (49 points, PPM 1.75); in the EFL Trophy he has five matches with four wins and one defeat (PPM 2.40); in the FA Cup three matches with two wins and one defeat (PPM 2.00); and in the EFL Cup one match without a win. These figures underline a mixed but competitive set of results across cup and league fixtures.
Conclusion
Ian Holloway’s blend of playing pedigree, previous promotions and visible managerial record make him a significant figure for Swindon Town and followers of the EFL. His stated appointment and the recorded PPM of 1.70 across 74 matches offer a quantitative snapshot of recent performance, while his history suggests experience that clubs often seek when aiming for stability or promotion. For readers, Holloway remains a manager whose results and decisions will be watched closely in the coming seasons.
