Some things in life are inevitable; Politicians will never win popularity contests. You will always have a soft spot for your first love. Police officers will look more and more like 15-year-olds the older you get and football managers will be sacked.
The demand for instant success ensures most managers will be sacked several times, with only two or three of them escaping the experience.
Under the microscope
Premiership managers live in the spotlight almost 24/7 these days. Some take pressure in their stride whilst others constantly feel the strain.
Runners and riders
We take a look at which Premiership managers are safe and those who could be looking for work before the end of the 2009/10 season?
Posted by The Editor on June 10th, 2009
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Tranmere have sacked manager Ronnie Moore following the club’s failure to reach the League One play-offs.
56-year-old Moore joined Rovers as boss in June 2006 but attendances at Prenton Park have crumbled by over 19% during the last three years.
He previously had two spells as a player with the club between 1971 and 1989, and was player-coach and then assistant manager under John King.
Play-off agony
Tranmere were within minutes of reaching the play-offs when they led 1-0 at Scunthorpe United on the final day of the season.
But the Iron scored an 88th-minute equaliser to clinch sixth place for Scunthorpe at the expense of Moore’s side instead.
Ian Davies
Posted by The Editor on June 5th, 2009
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Queens Park Rangers are due to get the builders in to Loftus Road over the next few days.
Appointed yesterday, Jim Magilton is the latest in the ridiculously long line of managers at the club during the last 3 years, and it makes complete sense for Rangers to have a revolving door fitted. If Magilton can’t get them off to a flying start in the Championship (a very tough league this time round) he’s likely to be spinning back through it and onto the street very quickly.
Fifth Manager
The former Ipswich Town boss, sacked at the end of last season to make way for Roy Keane, is the fifth permanent manager appointed since the arrival of Flavio Briatore as owner in 2007. I’ve lost count how many temporary managers they’ve had during that same period. Briatore’s hire’em fire’em policy has seen his managers have an average run of 14 games in charge. It’s laughable.
Posted by The Editor on June 4th, 2009
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The first week in June is traditionally a very quiet time in football with most managers and players away on holiday. At the majority of clubs players report back for pre-season training on July 1st.
Surprisingly, it’s far from quiet. Here’s a brief summary of what’s going on…
Roberto Martinez
Swansea have finally given Wigan Athletic permission to talk to the Swans manager Roberto Martinez about the vacancy at the JJB Stadium following Steve Bruce’s departure to Sunderland.
It’s becoming more and more likely Martinez will head north, with Gary Speed, the former Wales international currently at Sheffield United, tipped to replace him at Swansea.
Celtic’s apparent interest in the Spaniard has now evaporated and they’re looking elsewhere. Tony Adams is telling anyone willing to listen that he’ll be in charge of the Bhoys next season. Yeah right, Tone!
Posted by The Editor on June 4th, 2009
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I wonder what it’s like to have a limitless amount of cash to play with?
Manchester City’s Mark Hughes has that luxury. Unfortunately for him, he also has the expectation and responsibilty that goes with it.
The Welshman has already opened his cheque book with the signing of Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry earlier this week, and City are being linked with signing anybody and everybody. Lucas Neill from West Ham? Do me a favour. Carlos Tevez? That could be a brilliant signing and the City fans would just love to taunt United fans about that.
I can’t help thinking that despite all of this cash City will continue to struggle when it comes to attracting World-class talent to Eastlands. The signing of Robinho illustrated their intent, but the Brazilian already appears to be unsettled and there isn’t a long queue of international superstars knocking on Hughes’ door.
Posted by The Editor on June 4th, 2009
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Thankfully, Sunderland haven’t appointed Mr Forsyth as their new manager, though some would argue he’d be a better choice than many who have been in charge of team affairs on Wearside over the last few years. No, I’m talking about Steve Bruce.
Niall Quinn may well have made a shrewd appointment there. He’s resisted the temptation to recruit a European coach and opted to go with someone who has seen and done it at the bottom end of the Premiership. Let’s face it, Brucey will have just one target in 2009/10. Keep Sunderland in the Premiership and earn himself a Brucey bonus!
Posted by The Editor on June 4th, 2009
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To many the idea of launching a new football website during the first week of June is absurd. Afterall, the curtain came down on the domestic season on Saturday and the whole “football scene” is pretty dead during June, with most managers and players sunning themselves in Florida, Spain or Portugal.
To me, it’s the ideal time. Time to reflect on the last campaign and time to look forward to the next one. Time to get everything ready for Football Thing to become a website worth following during 2009/10 and beyond.
So welcome aboard. Stick with us and enjoy the ride.
Ian Davies
Posted by The Editor on June 2nd, 2009
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