.

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[T.R.O.L.I.]

Re Benitez - yes he has had enough time and certinaly more than enough money to spend. IMO, the only thing saving him from the sack last season was beating Barcelona in the CL - had they lost that then he would have gone. So, I expect to see him get the sack once they get trounced by Inter over the next two weeks.

International management changes generally happen following major tournaments (or the failure to qualify) - hence the current international merry-go-round.

[Dirk Gently]

I think the transfer windows have got a lot to do with it.

Before them, the papers often induced lots of transfers, but now they can't do that all they can really do is speculate on managers and influence them getting the boot.

[The Surgeon of Crowthorne]

I think Liverpool will wait until the end of the season before disposing of Rafa - whether or not they lose to Inter or even win the CL. There aren't that many top class managers on the market at the moment & the Liverpool owners will wait until the close season as it'll be easier to find a new mug then.

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[Whore Jackie]

According to the LMA (League Managers Association) website, this season there's been 31 managerial changes. Quite a few look to be sackings, other changes will have been enforced as managers leave clubs to replace those that have been pushed.

In 2006-07 there were 48 managerial changes and in 2005-06 49 managerial changes. With two and a half months of this season remaining (plus the close season), it's quite conceivable that another 15 or so managers will be sacked or move on. It's the way football is these days.

As an aside, have a look at the 'available managers' on the LMA site. That is one long, very scary list.

[BR2]

What is surprising to me is that "Coppell for the sack" has not been debated much on here or outside.
I suppose,like with Roy Keane, he has earned more time because of last season and in Steve's case the season before but this season as soon as bottom 3 has looked close panicky chairmen have pulled the trap-door on managers in the hope that their clubs don't go through the trap-door.

Derby,Bolton and Wigan have all done it but other than with Derby where Billy Davies had earned cred from last season the other two were done as loss cutting exercises and so far the judgement seems to have been right.
Newcastle,the other lower end club may or may not have done the right thing.
Just for the record (and to save any RTG bashing) I think Coppell should remain for the rest of the season and his position reviewed in the Summer and not (as JM has boldly declared)be guaranteed a job for next season especially if we end up being relegated.

If we are relegated there should be a major inquiry into how the club is run from top to bottom but fortunately at the moment it is still an "if".

[Huntley & Palmer]

I would not want SC to be sacked, mainly because I cannot think of another manager that could pick this club up and get it going again other than him currently. Perhaps Pardew but he is doing a good job of it at Charlton

[Dirk Gently]

Before them, the papers...can really do is speculate on managers and influence them getting the boot.

Do they pick their targets and influence the fans or play on fans discontent? Bryan Robson wasn't liked at Sheffield United and got the sack - was it fan pressure or paper influence?

The papers pick up murmourings and magnify them massively - and the bigger the club the more that applies.

[Baines]

Before them, the papers...can really do is speculate on managers and influence them getting the boot.

Do they pick their targets and influence the fans or play on fans discontent? Bryan Robson wasn't liked at Sheffield United and got the sack - was it fan pressure or paper influence?

The papers pick up murmourings and magnify them massively - and the bigger the club the more that applies.

Certainly in Robson's case, the papers didn't help by repeatedly printing the league table.

[Wax Jacket]

The papers pick up murmourings and magnify them massively - and the bigger the club the more that applies.

SC's safe until that stadium extension then

[Coppelled Streets]

Coleman set to be unveiled as Coventry's new manager.

Pearson is Saints new manager.

[Huntley & Palmer]

Pearson at Southampton is a real strange one, especially as Coleman was available and has ended up at Coventry

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[Boston Royal]

Is Alan Curbishley about to lose his job? Laughable that he should be under pressure considering his team are safe.

I agree. I find it surprising he's under so much pressure. He performed a major miracle last season to keep them up (7 wins out of the last 9 games) and their recent form is only emphasised because he started the season so well, giving hopes for Europe. Taking a team from the relegation zone to mid-table in just over a season is a decent achievement.

On the other hand, I thought Pardew would be under more pressure than he appears to be. He got relegated with Charlton; he was only partially to blame given they were in trouble when he joined them, but he still failed to save them unlike Curbishley did (even awful Robson managed to save a team the season before; Megson and Bruce may do the same this season). They tipped to win the league, yet are some distance from automatic promotion and clinging onto a playoff place at the moment. I certainly wouldn't want him if Coppell went, even not taking into account any possible bad blood with the club.

[Tredder]

The future is to bring in a random Italian that no one has heard of and get him to lift you from bottom to top half by March

[Vision]

The secret is to get some clown from the West Country who thinks he's God's gift to comedy to come riding in as a saviour.

Apart from Reading staying up. pretty much the only other football outcome i'm remotely interested in is the thought of Leicester being relegated.

[Tredder]

The comedy clouds his managerial abilities.

Although, i think he is a great lower league manager and will probably be one come the end of the season.

[Vision]

Its not clouding them too well at the moment.

He's the David Brent of football management. Seems to have forgotten what he's actually paid for.

[Tredder]

I don't think any manager could legislate for the Bristol City game, i think Leicester will be fine and the one liner express will continue.