In the business end of the season Chris Hughton became yet another victim of the Premier League’s manager-merry-go-round.
In the business end of the season Chris Hughton became yet another victim of the Premier League’s manager-merry-go-round. Each year we see managers given the chop and time and time again we debate whether it was the right time or whether or not they should go, whether it can make a difference or if the team were doomed to begin with.
First Blood
Sunderland’s Paolo Di Canio was the first top-flight gaffer to lose his job in the 2013/2014 season. The controversial Italian lasted only 13 games in the North East and left with the Black Cats propping up the table.
It’s been a mixed bag for replacement Gus Poyet who finds himself still battling against relegation but in his stint in charge of the Mackems, Poyet has been able to take the team to Wembley. The strugglers might have hoped Poyet would do better but the Capital One Cup final hasn’t really eased the pressure.
Looking into the Crystal [Palace] ball
Ian Holloway left Crystal Palace by mutual consent after bringing the team up from the Championship. He struggled to keep the team winning and the higher-ups decided that Tony Pulis would be able to keep the team competitive after his departure.
Pulis has been able to revitalise the team and his brand of tough love seems to have brought Morrocan international Maouane Chamakh back on form. The striker has scored almost as many for Palace as he did in three years at Arsenal.
A couple of changes at Fulham
Fulham seem to have gone through more manager changes this season than some teams do in a decade. They started off with Martin Jol and after deciding that the Dutchman wasn’t the right man for the job axed him and brought in Fergie’s Lieutenant René Meulensteen.
Meulensteen’s last managerial job saw him last a turbulent 16 days at Anzhi Makhachkala. Thankfully for Fulham he left after three-months at Craven Cottage but hadn’t done enough to see them leave the drop zone. They will now be hoping the regimented Felix Magath can get them out of a crisis.
The Midlands and Mel
A long winless streak saw West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke eventually sacked. This was after a 1-0 loss against Cardiff in December, the Baggies only won seven of their 34 games in 2013.
The Scot was popular with fans although the hierarchy decided that Spaniard Pepe Mel would be the man to lead the Baggies to safety. Mel hasn’t quite had the effect Mauricio Pochettino had at Southampton as West Brom are still in a relegation battle.
A Very Good Bye
Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas Boas lost his job after struggling to make his £100m team gel. Spurs had lost Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, any team would struggle losing such a talisman but Levy and co felt that AVB wasn’t performing quite as well as they had hoped.
Arsenal supporting Tim Sherwood was chosen ahead of Zinedine Zidane to lead Spurs to glory but Tim’s team haven’t quite rejuvenated. Bringing Emmanuel Adebayor out of exile worked to an extent as the Togo international has been out-scoring AVB signing Roberto Soldado.
The less said about Cardiff the better
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay saw his time sitting in 16th place when controversial owner Vincent Tan engaged with him in a public feud that ultimately saw the Scot lose his job.
Cardiff brought in Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solksjaer from Molde. They would have hoped his status amongst the Premier League greats would help his managerial career but currently Cardiff will feel the Championship looming.
What do you think about this season’s managers? Have your say in the comments section below.
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