IT’S AXE MEN APOCALYPSE
BY JOHN RICHARDSON NEVER mind a revolving door – the Championship’s managerial comings and goings are enough to rip it off its hinges.
It is a league which has been branded “bonkers” by Mick McCarthy (below).
Neil Warnock, booted into retirement by Middlesbrough, has called for a managerial window to curb the number of sackings.
Ten of the 24 Championship clubs changed managers during the season and Blackburn and QPR parted company with Tony Mowbray and Mark Warburton respectively after yesterday’s games.
At least three other clubs are considering a change.
McCarthy, who was sacked by Cardiff in October, said: “It’s a tough, evil league, completely bonkers.
“It’s crazy at the top when the riches of the Premier League are within reach and equally barmy at the bottom trying to stay in it.”
Warnock says you enter the cut-throat world of England’s second division in the knowledge that the sack is just around the corner.
“As long as you go in with your eyes wide open knowing you will get the sack you can ride the rollercoaster,” he stated.
“Pressure is all around whether you are trying to go up or stay up.
“Maybe they should think about introducing a window similar to transfers, where clubs can only change a manager during the season in January.
“That would at least put a stop to some of the ridiculous sackings which occur in September.”
Former Manchester United and Holland defender Jaap Stam was sacked by Reading and looks on in amazement at the continuing Championship casualties.
“In England and especially in the Championship it is particularly bad,” he said.
“Of course in other countries they sack managers but not as quickly as the Championship. There is not enough time to introduce some stability.”
Paul Lambert is a veteran of the madcap Championship with the likes of Norwich City, Stoke City and Ipswich.
“What is happening with the non-stop sacking of managers in the Championship is a disgrace,” he insisted.
“How are you expected to build anything? It’s a nonsense.
“It’s sack one, hire one, sack one – just crazy.”
Owen Coyle has also had his share of Championship madness with clubs including Burnley, Blackburn and Wigan.
He stated: “Everybody craves the Premier League and that’s why there is so much pressure all the time.”