Khan ‘optimistic’ Jokanovic can revive Fulham
Give managers a proper chance by banning firings in mid-campaign
Settle down and take your seats please for the sacking season. The candidates are being whittled down and a panel of experts will deliberate on who should be the first ushered towards Chris Kamara’s sofa.
This appears to be a particularly tough year for Kammy’s production staff. We have endured two international breaks without a Premier League exit.
This time last season, Craig Shakespeare and Ronald Koeman had gone, Slaven Bilic sounded like he was asking to be put out of his misery and Tony Pulis had already drafted his League Managers Association statement.
Do not fret. Another glut of internationals is imminent, the signal for a press release thanking a previously lauded coach for his service while telling him he has taken his club as far as he can.
After the weekend games, it is hard to imagine that Slavisa Jokanovic, Mark Hughes and Neil Fulham may appear to be in freefall, haemorrhaging goals and with only one point from their past six league games, but owner Shahid Khan remains “optimistic”.
Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic’s position might be considered precarious at any other club, but Khan has faith that he can turn around a dreadful start to the season.
Bournemouth’s comfortable victory Warnock feel secure.
Perhaps there is some optimism that the end is not nigh for any top-flight boss. That we have made it this far without a dismissal may hint at an outbreak of common sense. If so, not only is it overdue but there may be an opportunity for Premier League shareholders to go further with a meaningful proposal at their next meeting.
Rules regarding managerial sackings and resignations can and should be amended to reduce the capacity of clubs to make changes mid-season. Clubs should be forbidden from sacking a coach once the campaign has kicked off, and managers prohibited from leaving one club for another.
There should be significant penalties for failing to comply – with a three-point deduction, see how many chairmen think they will get a “bounce” to escape the bottom three. Make boards more accountable for appointments, and managers more contemplative before deciding to walk out.
When a contractual commitment is made in the summer, there should be a compulsion for both sides to stick to it. Not only would this give managers a chance to reverse bad starts (ancient history tells us it can be done, modern history tells us no one will get a chance to do it), but it would end ceaseless uncertainty making situations worse.
Recruiting a manager should be no different to signing a footballer. You cannot spend £35million on a striker in July and get rid of him in October. Directors and managers must stand and fall by their at Craven Cottage was Fulham’s fourth straight defeat in a run that has seen them concede 15 of the 28 goals against them this season. Their cause was not helped when Kevin Mcdonald was sent off.
Jokanovic is struggling to find the right combination in defence, switching his back four yet again and changing goalkeeper. But Sergio Rico, on loan from Sevilla, could not keep out a rampant Bournemouth side, for whom Callum Wilson scored either side of a fine goal from impressive Wales international David Brooks.
Khan has spent more time than usual in London this autumn, primarily for the failed negotiations to buy Wembley Stadium, and also to oversee his NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars in action at the same venue yesterday. He looked unhappy at Craven Cottage, but his match programme notes spoke of “optimism”. “We have a head coach who the past two seasons has found the right formula with his personnel to hit our stride in time for the [Christmas] holidays and a strong run in the second half of the campaign.”
Comforting words for Jokanovic, but the Serb is a realist. “I have a really good relationship with the owner,” he said. “But he didn’t bring me here because I am a good lad, he brought me here to win games. This is my challenge and my work. It is natural he cannot be satisfied with our situation, like I cannot be or my players or supporters.”
Eddie Howe, by contrast, is showing again the benefits of stability, organisation and coaching the best out of a group with the right mix of experience and youth.
At 21, former Manchester City and Sheffield United midfielder Brooks is finally getting a chance in the Premier League and is thriving.
“We are very pleased with him,” said the Bournemouth manager. “You never know when you sign a player how long it will take to adapt, but he has taken to it so quickly. He just seemed a natural for our team.”
Howe also believes Wilson is ready for international consideration by Gareth Southgate, having recovered from serious injuries.
“If he continues to score and keeps doing well, then I think it will only be a matter of time,” he said.