12/21/24
November 24, 2004
Harry's off.: Portsmouth's manager, Harry Redknapp, is the latest EPL manager to walk out the door this season. How many has it been now? Strachan (Soton), Santini (Spurs), Megson (WBA), Souness (Rovers), Robson (Newcastle), who else? Who's next? Surely no other league has seen this many managerial changes in the space of a season. What's going on? Too much emphasis on money, quick results, "continentalization" of management?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 04:21 PM - 13 comments
Strachan was out last year, it was Sturrock who left this year... It sounds like a bit of clash between Redknapp and the chairman I think.
posted by sauril at 04:28 PM on November 24, 2004
So many managers leaving and Peter Reid still has a job! Is there no justice in this world?
posted by Pete at 04:29 PM on November 24, 2004
Anyone know what is with Redknapp's twitch?
posted by StarFucker at 04:29 PM on November 24, 2004
Well if Ranieri can get the big heave-ho after finishing 3rd in the league and getting to the semi of the Champions League, then nothing surprises me any more. Redknapp going has been on the cards for a while though...
posted by afx237vi at 04:41 PM on November 24, 2004
This sport does seem to have more managerial turnover than US pro leagues in general, just look at Real Madrid, AS Roma, Boca Juniors and turnover on the national sides as well (Scotland, Wales, France all turned over in the last few months).
posted by billsaysthis at 05:46 PM on November 24, 2004
I love Redknapp. It appears his silence has been bought, which is a pity, because when he has got one on, and is in full flow, it is hilarious. I just hope he doesn't go to Wolves, in which case I won't know whether to pity him or despise him. Spare a thought for Jim Smith too, who has also left Portsmouth. Biggest mistake Blues ever made, getting rid of Smith. The next one to go will surely be Steve Wigley.
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:12 PM on November 24, 2004
Soton should put a revolving door on its team emblem.
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:37 PM on November 24, 2004
I've been out of it for a while. Did Strachan walk, or was he pushed? While I've not been paying close attention, I do know that Redknapp was not in a great spot anyway. Football managers do provide great comedy due to their ludicrous turnover. (Ah, Championship Manager, I hear your siren song again. And yes I know it's Football Manager now, but I still love the 01/02 version.) I remember some manager, I forget who (Ron Ferguson?), saying football management is the only job where your contract has an expiration date. Or words to that effect.
posted by Drood at 05:12 AM on November 25, 2004
Strachan walked, Sturrock was pushed, Wigley is just lost and will eventually fall in a well. 00/01 is still teh fluff when it comes to CM, but after three years of not having the bug, Drood, it's now on to full effect with FM - I'm loving it. Vertikal Kalinkovichi in Belorussia are "benefitting" from my managerial abilities right now.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:55 AM on November 25, 2004
What is Football Manager and why are a second level team in an obscure league benefitting from your managerial abilities, MrB? Anyway, FB, today's Soccernet already has an article linking Rednapp to Wolves, though there was another article I saw suggesting that he might try to buy Bournemouth.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:32 PM on November 25, 2004
Football Manager is the new game from one half of the team that brought you Championship Manager. Basically, SpInG got to keep the game engine and player database, while Eidos got shafted to keep the Championship Manager name, but have to build a game engine and player database from the ground up. Hence FM2004 being out now, and CM5 being out in "the second half of financial year 2005." Or "next Christmas" to give it another name. As for FK Vertikal Kalinkovichi, I could tell you how they're benefitting from my managerial abilities, but to do so would require a gratuitous self-link and I couldn't possibly do that.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 02:13 PM on November 25, 2004
Thanks MrB.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:49 PM on November 25, 2004
I'm not including people who leave at the end of a season or before the new season. Seems to me the early- and mid-season changes are most jarring, so why so many now?