In the light of Gary Megson’s departure from Bolton and Mark Hughes’ exit from Manchester City last week, are managerial roles in the Premier League becoming a poisoned chalice or are the manager’s not cutting the mustard?
In Hughes’ case he has had to withstand a plethora of egos in the Eastlands dressing room along with fans expecting instant success following a summer spending spree.
Even though next week City face their Manchester rivals United in a two-leg Carling Cup semi-final and they lie in the top six in the Premier League, this was still not enough for chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak who decided to part company with Hughes and bring in former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini.
Isn’t it about time that managers are given at least a season to show their worth rather than being given the heave-ho as soon as times get tough.
Managers just dont have the time
Did Mark Hughes's face ever fit at Man City?
Hughes never really got his new signings to gel from the outset with Robinho failing to produce his best performance on numerous occasions, especially away from the City of Manchester Stadium. However, the young Brazilian’s ego was colossal and failed to live up to the hype of his self-proclamation of becoming the best player in the World.
The tension between the two showed when Hughes substituted Robinho and the 25-year-old just toddled off down the tunnel and showed a lack of respect not only to his manager but not to sit in the dugout and watch his team, and thus ultimately letting down the fans that pay his gargantuan pay cheque.
The way Hughes was dealt with following the 4-3 victory with Sunderland was a disgrace. In the wake of Hughes’ sacking it has been well documented that City had already been looking for a replacement to take the reins and two hours after the win against Sunderland, Hughes was out and Mancini was in.
The new wave of Billionaire owners are after instant success and if that doesn’t come then they just chop and change the men in the dugout until they get the achievement they strive.
Gary Megson’s exit today holds a different twist altogether with him struggling to gain any rapport whatsoever with the fans.
A couple of years ago Megson kept the Trotters in the Premier League but still the fans have never welcomed “the Ginger Mourinho” to the Reebok Stadium and he has had a constant battle to try and win them over.
Countless times Megson has had to push blame on to himself rather than lambaste the players on the pitch, who weren’t performing, but ultimately fans will get their message across and with “Megson Out” posters visible to all in last night’s 2-2 draw at Hull, his days were always going to be numbered.
With football being such a cut-throat game, it’s only a matter time of before the next manager is given his marching orders.
So, who is it going to be next?
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Rafael Benitez for not getting Liverpool into the top four.
Phil Brown for getting Hull City relegated.
Gianfranco Zola for getting West Ham United relegated.
Even, Carlo Ancelotti could get the chop if he doesn’t win the title or Champions League with Chelsea.
The list is nearly endless with only two managers out of the 20 clubs in the Premier League who are unlikely to ever be sacked are Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, with the latter coming under some scrutiny from some quarters.
With the manager’s merry-go-round still in full flow, who do you think will be the next boss to be hung out to dry?
