This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Nigel Pearson's Bristol City future remains unclear, despite there being just six games left of the 2020/21 campaign.

The 57-year-old took charge at Ashton Gate back in February on a deal that runs until the end of the season and is yet to see that extended.

So, should City look to keep hold of Pearson for next season?

Our FLW writers share their thoughts...

Alfie Burns

Absolutely. If there’s not going to be a sort of long-term project under Pearson, I’d question what the point of bringing him in was.

A manager of Pearson’s ilk shouldn’t just be a short-term fix to see you through until the end of the season, it should be an opportunity for him to come into the club, have a look at what needs tweaking, before a 2-3 year project.

I think it would be a complete waste to not tie him down right now and give him the opportunity to build something at a club he clearly wants to be at.

Failure to get Pearson’s future sorted would be a major step backward for the Robins.

Ned Holmes

Definitely.

There's no getting around the fact that City's form has been poor recently but I'd suggest that only further highlights that changes are needed at Ashton Gate.

Pearson looks, to me, the right man to do that and the Robins should be wasting no time getting him to sign a new deal.

Building the sort of squad needed to push for promotion is not a short-term task, it's going to take multiple windows, some significant planning, and consistent backing of the manager.

Now seems the right time to do that and it needs to start with a new contract.

Toby Wilding

I do think that keeping Pearson at Ashton Gate for next season could be worth considering for Bristol City.

Admittedly, Pearson has not made the flying start to his time in charge of the Robins that some might have expected, which could be something of a concern.

However, Pearson is a manager who it seems can sometimes need a bit of time to really start making an impact at a club, so it could be worth Bristol City sticking with him for at least the start of next season to give him the opportunity to do that.

Indeed, it also appears as though Pearson himself has swiftly got an idea of what the club needs this summer, so keeping him around would allow them to get straight to work in the transfer market on strengthening their squad, saving time that might otherwise be taken bringing a new man in, who might then have to work out what he wants to do with the squad, putting them behind rival clubs in terms of getting their business done.