11/24/24
February 09, 2009
Sacking Day: Two more Premier League managers have bitten the dust, with Big Phil Scolari getting sacked at Chelsea and Tony Adams losing his job at Portsmouth. Is it surprising that these two lost their jobs, or surprising that it's taken this long for the management to do the deed?
posted by boredom_08 to soccer at 11:38 AM - 18 comments
I never cared for Mourinho, but I would think Roman has to be kicking himself over it ... Even Avram Grant had a pretty good run with them. It seems to me, Roman must be the kind of man who wants all or nothing ... if they're not first, you're gone. As for Pompey, tough gig that one.
posted by Ricardo at 02:54 PM on February 09, 2009
Agreed. Mourinho was a brilliant manager, even if he did grind out a lot of games. Or maybe because he could grind out a lot of games...
Scolari bought and played his favourites - does anyone actually think Deco contributes anything to a team? And now Quaresma. For all his faults, Drogba is the best target man in world football, and couldn't get a run. Not what Chelsea really needed.
It's a mess, but will Abramovich allow any new manager the time to rebuild with new personnel? Offloading the old and bringing in the new will take time and money. How's Roman doing in the financial crisis anyway? Or is he bored with football? That could have a big influence on what happens now at Chelsea.
posted by owlhouse at 04:17 PM on February 09, 2009
Mourinho brought six trophies in three seasons, he may have not been the personality Abramovich wanted but he left a high water mark that successors will struggle to match any time soon.
posted by billsaysthis at 08:06 PM on February 09, 2009
Scolari bought and played his favourites
Huh? I thought he only had a couple of purchases?
Even Avram Grant had a pretty good run with them. It seems to me, Roman must be the kind of man who wants all or nothing ... if they're not first, you're gone.
I got the impression that the 'problem' was that Jose was 'only' winning, not winning with flashy play.
One wonders who would be prepared to step up for the job next, really.
posted by rodgerd at 11:34 PM on February 09, 2009
will Abramovich allow any new manager the time to rebuild with new personnel?
No. In other news, Gareth Southgate still has a job. Technically speaking.
posted by etagloh at 12:43 AM on February 10, 2009
If The Simpsons taught us anything before going off the air, it's that you can't fire a man with great hair.
posted by yerfatma at 09:40 AM on February 10, 2009
Guus Hiddink will be caretaker through the end of the season while retaiing his job as Russia coach.
Anyway, no more player movement until the close season so Hiddink or whoever have to 'make due' with the current list.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:54 PM on February 10, 2009
Poor old Butch Wilkins: When will he be given the chance?
posted by owlhouse at 06:13 PM on February 10, 2009
Am I the only one wondering how this will affect Chelsea's league form? I know that teams usually respond in the short term to a new manager, but that effect tends to fade in a lot of cases. If it is Hiddink, how much will him splitting his duties with Russia have an effect (that and the fact that, like Scolari, he's new to English football). Maybe it's rose colored glasses on my part, but I think Chelsea may drop out of the top 4.
posted by trox at 10:21 AM on February 11, 2009
To aid that idea, trox, Villa have shown no signs of letting down their chase for the top four either, so Chelsea could realistically miss out on that place, if Arsenal improve their form enough to catch up.
posted by boredom_08 at 01:18 PM on February 11, 2009
That's exactly what I was hoping to imply boredom. (And hoping in general as I'm an Arsenal supporter.)
posted by trox at 01:59 PM on February 11, 2009
As an Australian, all I can say is:
Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!
The man's a dead-set genius. I will hear nothing against him. He heals the lame, comforts the afflicted, walks on Sydney Harbour...
posted by owlhouse at 03:25 PM on February 11, 2009
Ah, well played then. Being a Spurs follower myself, I merely want to not see my team relegated, which is why I certainly haven't minded seeing Portsmouth struggle, although I'm curious to see who they'll bring in to replace Adams, to bring the other coaching vacancy back into discusson.
posted by boredom_08 at 04:17 PM on February 11, 2009
Being a Spurs follower myself, I merely want to not see my team relegated ...
Me too. Makes me wistful for the days when falling out of the top 4 was a major cause for alarm.
posted by rcade at 05:41 PM on February 11, 2009
Makes me wistful for the days when falling out of the top 4 was a major cause for alarm
Christ, you're that old?
posted by owlhouse at 07:14 PM on February 11, 2009
After last night, Sven will probably on the market just in time to take over at Pompey.
posted by trox at 02:52 PM on February 12, 2009
David James has given Adams a bit of a slagging in the papers today. Of course, David has never made a mistake in his life, so is uniquely qualified to comment on the shortcomings of others.
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:29 PM on February 14, 2009
Do you think there have been regrets at Chelsea since Mourinho was sacked. As for Portsmouth, that's become a thankless job!