Salford shocks League Two by naming Cklamovski as new manager in 2026

Salford City appoints Peter Cklamovski as manager after beating Notts County in the League Two play-off final.

Australia to Japan roots Salford City made a surprising announcement by bringing in Peter Cklamovski as their new head coach on a long-term contract, a move that traces back to his time in Japan eight years ago. Though he remains largely unknown in English football circles, Cklamovski was closely familiar to Salford’s top executive due to their shared history. Gavin Fleig joined the League Two club in October 2025 after spending 17 years within the City Football Group structure, the final seven as director of talent management. During that period, Fleig encountered numerous coaches across CFG’s 12 teams, including an Australian assistant coach who was making waves alongside Ange Postecoglou at the J-League champions, Yokohama F Marinos. ## Postecoglou influence and global journey Ange Postecoglou’s path since leaving Yokohama has been widely reported—moving to Celtic, Tottenham, and now Nottingham Forest. Cklamovski’s journey, meanwhile, includes stops at Shimizu S-Pulse, Montedio Yamagata, FC Tokyo, and the Malaysia national team, where he gained recognition for producing strong results and an attacking philosophy. At 47, the Australian coach has built a reputation for both tactical innovation and consistent improvement, traits that caught the attention of Salford’s leadership. ## Fleig’s data-driven decision When Salford decided to part ways with Karl Robinson following their League Two play-off final loss to Notts County last month, Fleig quickly proposed Cklamovski’s name as a candidate. Fleig explained the club followed standard procedures, weighing multiple factors. - What does the data indicate? - What insights does our market network provide? - What feedback do our contacts share? - Which candidates express interest and make themselves available? Across every consideration, Fleig stated Cklamovski stood out as the clear choice based on the metrics the club prioritizes. ## Last-minute career pivot Cklamovski was in the midst of preparing Malaysia for the upcoming Asean Championship, with matches against Myanmar and Laos scheduled for the next month. Yet he was already reflecting on his career direction and harboring a growing ambition to succeed in European football. Fate intervened when Cklamovski, with his wife and two children, was concluding an extended holiday in the United Kingdom. While watching football, including Everton’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City on 4 May, Fleig reached out. The chief executive suggested a face-to-face meeting within a couple of days, but Cklamovski was set to fly back to Malaysia that evening. An hour later, Cklamovski called back to say he had canceled his flight. ## No English experience not a barrier As Cklamovski and Fleig sat in a quiet executive area of the Peninsula Stadium, which was being repainted ahead of Salford’s return to its original orange colors next season, the reasoning behind appointing someone without direct English football experience became clear. In the official announcement, Salford highlighted Cklamovski’s attacking style and ability to captivate supporters. They described him as bringing a fresh perspective at a pivotal moment for the club. Cklamovski himself acknowledged that success abroad, even impressive achievements, often carries less weight with English fans. He emphasized commitment to a belief in the process, evidence-based methods, and relentless daily improvement. Cklamovski argued these principles lead to strong team performances and results regardless of location. ## Postecoglou’s mentorship and immediate priorities Cklamovski revealed he has maintained regular contact with Postecoglou, whom he considers a mentor. Their partnership dates back 15 years to the Australia Under-17 squad and endured even when Postecoglou rebuilt his career in Greece’s lower leagues after a public falling-out with Australian international and pundit Craig Foster in 2007. They worked side by side as Brisbane won the A-League in 2011 and Australia claimed the Asian Cup in 2015. Cklamovski noted Postecoglou provided valuable feedback on many coaching decisions, including this move to Salford. Upon returning from Malaysia to finalize his exit from the national team role, Cklamovski’s first full day at Salford involved handling administrative tasks and meeting staff. He did not consult with co-owners Gary Neville or David Beckham during the hiring process. His family is expected to join him in just over a month, by which time pre-season training will be in full swing. ## Clear mission after play-off heartbreak Cklamovski faces a clear mission after Robinson’s dismissal despite Salford finishing one place shy of automatic promotion and losing at Wembley to Notts County. He framed his appointment not as a vacation but as an opportunity to deliver success. Cklamovski expressed excitement for the challenge and the chance to pursue ambitious goals. The club’s leadership has set lofty ambitions and big dreams, something he described as deeply motivating. Cklamovski concluded by saying he is truly hungry to chase those targets.