EPL manager sackings 2009/2010

[johntheclaret]

I thought I would start a thread on EPL managers who are in the firing line, rumours, sackings and what they have to say about it.

I thought this article in the Daily Mail was a fair assessment of who is most likely to go next

1 West Ham - Gianfranco Zola
Things are a mess over in East London as Zola struggles to get results out of his injury-plagued side. In the bottom three and facing a relegation battle. The Gunners await in the Cup. NON-MOVER

2 Hull City - Phil Brown
All Phil Brown wanted for Christmas was a fit Jimmy Bullard, oh, and some points would be nice, too. Winless in six and they face Wigan in the third round of the FA Cup next. UP ONE

3 Wigan - Roberto Martinez
Martinez has developed two defined sides for the Latics, one half-decent and one totally rubbish. The latter turned up at Old Trafford, but which one will play Hull in the Cup? UP TWO

4 Wolves - Mick McCarthy
Honour in defeats to Liverpool and Man City but what Wolves need are more wins as they sit just a point above the drop zone. McCarthy's side tackle Tranmere in the FA Cup next. NON-MOVER

5 Burnley - Owen Coyle
Things are starting to go wonky for the Clarets - a winless run stretching back to October means no win in the last nine. They're on FA Cup duty away to MK Dons next. UP TWO

6 Blackburn - Sam Allardyce
A relegation battle looms large over the horizon for Allardyce's side who haven't won in the league since November 22, eight games ago. Next up it's Villa in the Cup. UP THREE

7 Sunderland - Steve Bruce
Had it not been for Darren Bent, this would have been a less than ordinary season for Bruce and they're without a win in seven. The Black Cats are on FA Cup duty against Barrow next. UP ONE

8 Portsmouth - Avram Grant
Pompey are a team and club falling apart, players aren't getting paid and the taxman is lurking, too. An impossible job for Grant who has Coventry to face in the FA Cup on Saturday. UP FOUR

9 Stoke City - Tony Pulis
Sitting happy in mid-table but Pulis has admitted he needs to improve the quality of the squad in January after four defeats in the last five. It's York in the FA Cup next. DOWN ONE

10 Liverpool - Rafa Benitez
Will salvation be born out of Fernando Torres' late strike against Aston Villa? Just four points off a Champions League spot going into the New Year and it's Reading next. DOWN FOUR

11 Everton - David Moyes
The ship has been steadied over at Goodison, four successive draws ended with victory over Burnley. Mid-table mediocrity will be welcomed by many and it's Carlisle in the Cup next. UP TWO

12 Man City - Roberto Mancini
The blue and white scarf he donned in the previous two games has become synonymous with victory and, most encouraging, no goals conceded. Next up its 'Boro in the Cup. NEW ENTRY

13 Aston Villa - Martin O'Neill
Momentum has been lost with two defeats in two for Villa and, more worrying, no goals scored in the clashes with Arsenal and Liverpool. It's an FA Cup tie with Blackburn next. UP SIX

14 Fulham - Roy Hodgson
They've lost just one of the last nine, and the one loss came after an unlucky own goal. Hodgson's just signed a new contract and his boys are flying - they face Swindon in the Cup next. NON-MOVER

15 Chelsea - Carlo Ancelotti
Patchy results over Christmas has let the chasing pack close ground and he has injury headaches to go with the imminent Africa Cup of Nations departures. It's Watford next in the FA Cup. UP ONE

16Tottenham - Harry Redknapp
Undefeated in four with three wins and not a goal conceded. Spurs are in the Champions League spots, as Redknapp would say, 'triffic.' Next it's Peterborough in the Cup. DOWN ONE

17 Birmingham City - Alex McLeish
Unbeaten in 11 in the top-flight, a feat the club has never achieved and they're just five points off a Champions League spot. McLeish is as safe as houses and it's Forest next. NON-MOVER

18 Arsenal - Arsene Wenger
The Gunners look good, very good at the moment and they claim to be short in attacking options! Three wins in a row and they have West Ham on Sunday in the FA Cup. NON-MOVER

19 Man United - Sir Alex FergusonSir Alex is certainly getting the best out of Wayne Rooney, he's confident enough to say he doesn't miss Ronaldo. Yeah, right! They've got Leeds in the pick of the ties in the FA Cup on Sunday. UP ONE

- Bolton Wanderers - Vacant
In the bottom three at Christmas means it's going to be a tough start to 2010 for whoever takes over from Megson. One win in 13 and next it's a banana-skin Cup tie with Lincoln.

No suprises in seeing Wenger and Fergie as the least likely and McLiesh has done a fantastic job at Birmingham, taking them to near safety.

I was a bit suprised to see Coyle so far up the list given our resources and expectations. those in a pretty precarious position must be Brown at Hull, Rafa at Liverpool (if they miss out on a CL berth this year) and Moyes at Everton (if they don't start putting some distance between themselves and the bottom three)

[johntheclaret]

Here's what Megson had to say

Bolton chairman sacked boss Gary Megson by mobile phone

Axed Bolton boss Gary Megson hit out last night at the way his style of football had been savaged since his dismissal, describing the criticism as 'galling'.

Megson also revealed that he had been sacked by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside by telephone, rather than face to face.

[Bully]

sacked by mobile phone, thats a bit harsh.

[mighty_tiger_79]

i think its brilliant, at the start of the season McLeish was a fav to be one of the first managers sacked, but he is far too good for that. He has proven himself with getting results out of a very below average squad

[devilsadvocate]

i think its brilliant, at the start of the season McLeish was a fav to be one of the first managers sacked, but he is far too good for that. He has proven himself with getting results out of a very below average squad

I wouldn't call it a below average squad.
But you're right, McLeish has certainly proven himself at getting the best out of what he does have.

[Bully]

yes he has seemed to have done a good job there, but see what goes for the rest of the season before any further is said from me

[mighty_tiger_79]

well he doesnt have to do anymore for me to show that he is a fully competent manager.

new owners from hong kong, hopefully spend a little cash to upgrade the quality.

if he is given a relatively free reign as he has previously there is no reason why we cant achieve europe next year.

I believe if he was still manager of scotland they wouldnt be in the massive hole they are now.

[johntheclaret]

i think its brilliant, at the start of the season McLeish was a fav to be one of the first managers sacked, but he is far too good for that. He has proven himself with getting results out of a very below average squad

I agree with you 100% MT.

Birmingham are a very below average side

[johntheclaret]

well he doesnt have to do anymore for me to show that he is a fully competent manager.

new owners from hong kong, hopefully spend a little cash to upgrade the quality.

if he is given a relatively free reign as he has previously there is no reason why we cant achieve europe next year.

I believe if he was still manager of scotland they wouldnt be in the massive hole they are now.

I would hardly call £50m a "little cash". that's the amount quoted in the press here

[johntheclaret]

Not a sacking but Clarets manager owen coyle has left Burnley to join Bolton Wanderers

[mighty_tiger_79]

i think its brilliant, at the start of the season McLeish was a fav to be one of the first managers sacked, but he is far too good for that. He has proven himself with getting results out of a very below average squad

I agree with you 100% MT.

Birmingham are a very below average side

im glad someone agrees with me, sometimes it feels like i only agre with myself

[johntheclaret]

This weeks firing line table:

1 Hull City - Phil Brown
Winless in the last six in the league and truly awful against Wigan in the Cup. Brown's side are second bottom, sinking fast and have league leaders Chelsea at home next. Oh dear. UP ONE

2 West Ham - Gianfranco Zola
The worrying aspect of the Hammers current predicament is that they are putting in decent performances but still losing. One win in six and they entertain Wolves next. DOWN ONE

3 Wigan - Roberto Martinez
The Cup win over Hull merely papers over the cracks - Martinez's side are a point above the drop zone after one win in nine and it's Villa at home next. NON-MOVER

4 Blackburn - Sam Allardyce
Things are looking grim at Ewood - Rovers haven't won in the league since November 22, eight games ago and were dumped out of the Cup last weekend and they have Man City next. UP TWO

5 Wolves - Mick McCarthy
McCarthy's side certainly battle but they need to forget winning plaudits and start winning points - they have a great chance away at fellow strugglers West Ham this weekend. DOWN ONE

6 Sunderland - Steve Bruce
The Black Cats are in the mire a little, after the great start they're now winless seven and Bruce is set to be very active in this transfer window ... he needs to be. Bolton next. UP ONE

7 Portsmouth - Avram Grant
Forget it, shut up shop and let them start thinking about life in the Championship, no money, no luck, no hope. You have to feel for Grant who has an impossible job and they have Fulham next.

8 Stoke City - Tony Pulis
A run of four defeats in five came to an end with an awesome display against Fulham - in the first half, at least. Pulis has said he will be spending in Jan and they have Stoke next.

9 Liverpool - Rafa Benitez
A thrilling win at Villa was followed by a draw at Reading and Rafa is 'promising' a Champions League place finish. Words that may come back to haunt him. They have Spurs at home next.

10 Everton - David Moyes
Moyes' side had become draw specialists for a time but victory over Burnley in the league and Carlisle in the cup has put the Toffees back on an even keel but they're away at Arsenal next.

11 Aston Villa - Martin O'Neill
Villa's recent fine form that propelled them into the Champions League places has taken a knock after defeats in the last two - O'Neill will be hoping to get back on track against Everton. 12

12 Fulham - Roy Hodgson
Great at home, terrible away, Fulham's first-half performance against Stoke was shocking but it's only the Cottagers second defeat in the last ten and they're at home to Pompey next. UP TWO

13 Man City - Roberto Mancini
The golden boy continues to work wonders ... against some lowly opposition, mind, but Mancini's side have won three and are yet to concede. Can Blackburn break them down? DOWN ONE

14 Chelsea - Carlo Ancelotti
The Blues threatened to run away with it at one stage but the chasing pack have caught up and Ancelotti now has to soldier on without his African stars, starting away at Hull. DOWN ONE

15 Birmingham City - Alex McLeish
Undefeated in 11 in the Premier League - a feat the club has never achieved and all eyes are on McLeish as he prepares to splash the cash in the January window. Man United next. UP ONE

16 Tottenham - Harry Redknapp
Spurs fans don't need to much to encouragement to get carried away but victory over Liverpool this weekend will send aspirations through the roof. NON-MOVER

17 Arsenal - Arsene Wenger
16 points from a possible 18 in the last six means Wenger's team are in form and have the momentum moving into the congested New Year fixtures and have Everton next. UP ONE

18 Man United - Sir Alex Ferguson
Three defeats in the last six, including that defeat to Leeds means United go into the New Year with zero momentum but can pick up the pace away at Birmingham next. UP ONE

- Bolton Wanderers - Vacant
It's some challenge Owen Coyle is set to take on but if he can get Wanderers playing and out of the drop zone soon he will become a messiah, not a naughty boy for leaving Burnley - Sunderland next.

- Burnley - Vacant
Things were already going a little sour for the Clarets before Coyle's departure. The new boss will have to turn around a winless run stretching back to October and they have Stoke next.

[devilsadvocate]

16 Tottenham - Harry Redknapp
Spurs fans don't need to much to encouragement to get carried away but victory over Liverpool this weekend will send aspirations through the roof. NON-MOVER

There is a thread on Spurscommunity.co.uk called 'Back in the title race?'

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=55948

The word delusional comes to mind first, but I think it's probably more a case of a few people having smoked some crack.

In our defence, most posters go on to slate the original poster, saying we're most likely to finish 5-6th.

[johntheclaret]

This weeks hit list, not suprisingly sees Rafa as favourite for the next cut.

1 Liverpool - Rafa Benitez
Out of the Champions League, out of the FA and League Cups, out of the title race. Should Rafa go too? And he'll be without Torres and Gerrard for the clash at Stoke. UP EIGHT

2 Blackburn - Sam Allardyce
Without a win in 12 matches in all competitions. Paul Ince's longest winless run was six games. No wins since November 22 explains his predicament and it's Fulham away next. UP TWO

3 West Ham - Gianfranco Zola
A trip to Villa is not what Zola would have chosen for his next match but that's what he's got as he attempts to drag the Hammers out of the drop zone. Winless in six. DOWN ONE

4 Hull City - Phil Brown
No wins in seven, 18 goals conceded and second bottom - the clocks ticking for Brown who needs a result away at high-flying Spurs to start clawing his way out of the relegation spots. DOWN THREE

5 Wigan - Roberto Martinez
Don't be fooled by the win over Hull in the Cup, Martinez's side are struggling and without a win in five in the League. Did anyone say six-pointer - they're away at Wolves on Saturday. DOWN TWO


6 Wolves - Mick McCarthy
Cup victory is all well and good but points are what the club need and sitting a point above the bottom three should focus the mind before new signings arrive. Wigan is a must-win game. DOWN ONE

7 Portsmouth - Avram Grant
Oh dear. It's a mess at Fratton Park with Pompey struggling to rub two pennies together, let alone string two wins together. You have to feel for Grant who faces Birmingham next. NON-MOVER

8 Sunderland - Steve Bruce
Winless in seven and Bruce is dipping into the transfer market. Maybe he could purchase a few beach balls? They have only won once since that infamous event against Liverpool. DOWN TWO

9 Stoke City - Tony Pulis
Four defeats in five ended with the nailbiter against Fulham, Stoke's season can still go either way but they have under-fire Liverpool on Saturday - that's a nailed on three points, surely! DOWN ONE

10 Everton - David Moyes
Victory over Burnley in the League and Carlisle in the Cup, plus just missing out on three points at the Emirates means the Toffees are on a nice run ahead of the clash with Man City. NON-MOVER

11 Burnley - Brian Laws
Not exactly and inspiring appointment. Laws' lack of top-flight experience won't help as he attempts to turn around a winless sequence in the league that stretches back to October. NEW ENTRY

12 Aston Villa - Martin O'Neill
Villa are fast being forgotten in the race for the top four but don't count them out just yet, consecutive defeats in the league will be forgotten with victory over strugglers West Ham. DOWN ONE

13 Fulham - Roy Hodgson
Fulham are doing well but remain dreadful away from home and are now without the injured Bobby Zamora. A real test for the resilience of Hodgson's side comes at Blackburn on Sunday. DOWN ONE

14Chelsea - Carlo Ancelotti
Since looking like run-away Premier League winners after the 3-0 victory over Arsenal, Ancelotti's side have won just twice in the League. Stutter needs to end at home to Sunderland. NON-MOVER

15 Bolton Wanderers - Owen Coyle
The new-boy will have time to settle in but he has promised to bring the good days back to the Reebok with entertaining football - he may need to get the chequebook out, then. NEW ENTRY

16Tottenham - Harry Redknapp
Redknapp reckons his side play sexy football, but his team will need to find consistency over a sustained period if they are to steal back fourth place and clash with Hull next. NON-MOVER

17 Birmingham City - Alex McLeish
Unbeaten in 12 even before he's started spending chairman Carson Yeung's money. McLeish will earn immortality if his side keep this form up... and they have Pompey next. DOWN TWO

18 Arsenal - Arsene Wenger
Monsieur Wenger probably wishes the club hadn't fought so hard to keep the match with Everton on. Still, 17 points from the last seven matches means they're in great touch with Bolton next. DOWN ONE

19 Man City - Roberto Mancini
Mancini really can do no wrong right now. Four games, four wins and a solitary goal conceded - the scarf is a lucky mascot, he probably sleeps in it. City travel to Everton next. DOWN SIX

20 Man United - Sir Alex Ferguson
Suffered three defeats in the last seven in all competitions but maybe the sun the club enjoyed in Qatar can warm up their title challenge for the clash with Burnley. DOWN TWO

[Il Duce]

Rafa Leaves

ay16q.jpg (18.22 KiB) Viewed 296 times

[Bully]

yes rafa will end up leaving as liverpool dont tend to sack managers