They’re at it again.
We’re not even into December yet but there has already been some serious managerial upheaval in the second tier of English football.
Whilst Alan Pardew can enjoy the safety and security of his 8-year long contract at Newcastle things are slightly different in the Championship.
Long-suffering Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean was shown the door by owners Venkys after a tenuous reign at Ewood Park.
He’s been replaced by former Rovers player Henning Berg who can expect his neck to be on the chopping block if he doesn’t win promotion at the first time of asking.
Diego Maradona was apparently linked with the Lancashire club at one point which would have made post-match conferences much more entertaining; but to Rovers fan’s disappoint the board went for the (much) more sensible option.
Underachieving Bolton Wanderers decided to part company with Owen Coyle earlier in the season following a run of bad results culminating in a defeat to Millwall.
He was replaced by fellow Scot Dougie Freedman who left Crystal Palace despite the Eagles stellar start to the campaign. Freedman explained the move wasn’t about the money. The two club’s respective league positions would suggest otherwise however.
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway was the man chosen to replace Freedman at Selhurst Park, much to the delight of Palace fans who can look forward to barmy quotes along the lines of “I’m happier than a badger at the start at the start of mating season”.
Over in Ipswich Paul Jewell was shown the door by owner Marcus Evans after a truly woeful run of 12 games without a win which saw the Tractor boy’s slump to bottom to the bottom of the table with only 7 points to their name.
Step forward Mick McCarthy who has been given the unenviable task of addressing the slump at Portman Rd. He has already promised to deliver a win at all costs mentality, irrespective of the football being played.
Season ticket holders at Portman Road can look forward to a season of route one football then.
Burnley were also on the lookout for a new boss after Eddie Howe decided to return to Bournemouth following a decidedly average start to the campaign with the only highlight being striker Charlie Austin’s blistering form.
Former Watford manager Sean Dyche who was fired to pave way for Gianfranco Zola’s new regime will now be calling the shots from the Clarets dugout.
Job security in football is a scarce commodity, particularly if you’re a manager. But this season has been remarkable even by the mad standards set in previous seasons.
With lots of games still to be played and many points up for grabs you can guarantee there will be many more hirings and firings before the season draws to a close.
This is especially true in a league with all 24 teams scrambling to make it into the Promised Land and secure the all important TV revenue and you know what? I absolutely love it.
And despite what Sky may claim, no other league can guarantee the upsets and competitiveness the Championship delivers week after week which for me, makes it a more exciting division than the Premier League.
It may have the money, the glitz and the glamour but all too often top of the table clashes fail to live up to the hype. Super Sunday? I’m happy with Watford v Leicester on a rainy Tuesday night.
Robert Lock