It's been all change off the field at a number of Sky Bet League One clubs this summer, with nine managers set to make their dugout debuts on Saturday 6th August when Season 2016/17 gets under way.
A familiar face in Sky Bet League One has moved clubs, paving the way for the return of a legend at Bradford City, while another recognisable manager is back in the division after a spell in the Sky Bet Championship.The boss who has swapped one Sky Bet League One club for another in the close-season is Phil Parkinson – Bolton Wanderers' new manager.
Parkinson was at Bradford between 2011 and 2016, guiding them to glory in the League Two Play-Off Final and to the EFL Cup Final during that time, but this summer opted for a change, taking over the recently-relegated Trotters. His Bolton dugout debut starts on home soil, with Sheffield United the visitors on the first day.First training session as #BWFC manager ☑️ pic.twitter.com/d5Mg32IGba
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) June 28, 2016
Read more: Sky Bet Championship - Managers set for dugout debuts in 2016/17
His old club Bradford start at home Port Vale in a match that will see both clubs with new managers in charge.
Stuart McCall will be in the Bantams dugout after he returned to the club on a two-year deal following Parkinson's exit. The 52-year-old was previously boss at Valley Parade between 2007 and 2010, and also had two spells playing for City – he's pleased his new era will start at home.
"It is always an exciting time when the fixtures come out, and it is good to see that we are at home first,” he said following Fixture Release Day.
"You always want to be at home first no matter who you are pitted against. There are always never any guarantees, but you hope it will help you to get off to a good start.”
Read more: Who's new? A look at Sky Bet League Two's new bosses
In the opposing dugout will be the new man in charge of Port Vale, Bruno Ribeiro.
The Portuguese boss is new to EFL management but has experienced life on the touchline, and is more than familiar with football on these shores after plying his trade in England during his playing days.
Read more: Who is Port Vale's new boss, Bruno Ribeiro?
Ribeiro's appointment at Vale Park came after Rob Page's exit to Northampton Town, who were promoted from Sky Bet League Two as champions last term under the guidance of Chris Wilder.
Wilder's success at Sixfields saw him given a shot at the manager's job at his boyhood club Sheffield United, so there will be reunions aplenty this term in Sky Bet League One.
#FixtureReleaseDay: EFL Season 2016/17 fixtures announced!
Charlton Athletic came into Sky Bet League One in the opposite direction to Northampton, being relegated from the Championship, and they return with a familiar face to the division in charge – Russell Slade.
The 55-year-old has managed numerous clubs in the EFL, spending prolonged periods in League One, including his four years at Leyton Orient. He led the London club to the 2013/14 Play-Off Final but fell at the final hurdle to Rotherham United, before eventually stepping up to take charge at Cardiff City.
Now he's back and the Addicks begin 2016/17 on 6th August at Bury.
Elsewhere, two managers who ended 2015/16 in caretaker roles have stepped up to permanent positions.ICYMI | Watch Russell Slade give his first interview as Charlton Manager --> https://t.co/IPzW4X1olt#cafchttps://t.co/LwWHEGqjEN
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) June 8, 2016
Walsall made the Play-Offs under the guidance of Jon Whitney last time around and he's now the main man at Banks's Stadium, while Grant McCann will lead Peterborough United this coming season.
Oldham Athletic, meanwhile, remain managerless after the departure of John Sheridan to Notts County.
Managers who will be making their dugout debuts at new clubs on the opening weekend of Season 2016/17:
Phil Parkinson (Bolton Wanderers)
Stuart McCall (Bradford City)
Russell Slade (Charlton Athletic)
Rob Page (Northampton Town)
Grant McCann (Peterborough United)*
Bruno Ribeiro (Port Vale)
Chris Wilder (Sheffield United)
Jon Whitney (Walsall)*
Oldham Athletic - vacant
*Held caretaker roles in 2015/16 before being made permanent in the close-season.