Comment
After only his 13th match in charge of Sunderland (unlucky for some), Paulo Di Canio is the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season or, as they say in the trade, the first to be given the Spanish archer – the “el-bow”.
It does seem rather incredible to sack a man just after he has brought in 14 new players to the club, but I suppose by today’s fickle standards, five league matches into a new season is a lifetime in football.
However, Di Canio’s volatile style of management did not help his cause, nor did his political past, and it is rumoured that he was considering playing a relative of Joseph Goebbels out on the right wing.
So who will be next for the chop in the circus that is the managerial merry-go-round? Let’s take a look at the likely candidates. First up and the jolly favourite is naturally Martin Jol himself. The Dutchman’s Fulham side needed a penalty shoot-out to beat lowly Burton Albion in the Capital One Cup, and The Cottagers have had only one league win so far against . . . wait for it . . . Sunderland.
Not a particularly auspicious start, and furthermore Martin Jol’s choice of track suit attire has been rather poor lately. If any decision was based on dress sense alone, he would surely be next.
How about Chris Hughton? Not a good start for Norwich either, no goals in two league games away from home and an average of less than a goal a game in total. Hughton’s most notable signing is Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Clube de Portugal.
However, with only one successful strike so far to his credit, Van Wolfswinkel is in danger of becoming known as Rip van Winkle, as he appears to fall asleep in front of goal.
Hughton, however, might be given more time as he always wears a nice suit.
Then there is “Mister Ridiculous”, the Magpies’ boss Alan Pardew. Pardew astonishingly was given a contract until 2020.
That would take him past two soccer World Cups, three Ryder Cups and seven Eurovision Song Contests. Can he really last that long when his Newcastle team cannot even beat newly promoted Hull at home?
What about Steve Clarke of West Brom? On the plus side there is the signing of the superb Stephane Sessegnon from Sunderland (Di Canio should never of let him go).
On the minus side, five points from five league games is a disappointing start from a side that promised so much last season. Even more on the minus side is the fact that Clarke seems to be wearing Martin Jol’s tracksuit from the previous week.
Worth checking out this weekend’s wear from the respective managers, if they are still in a job by then!
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