IT’S THE AXE FOR STUBBS
Rotherham axe falls on Stubbs
WHEN Alan Stubbs became the first Hibernian boss since 1902 to hold the Scottish Cup aloft, the future must have looked so bright.
However, just five months after securing legendary status at the club following that thrilling 3-2 win over Rangers, his dizzying descent from hero to zero was confirmed yesterday when he was sacked by Rotherham United after just 14 games in charge.
The ex-Celtic and Everton star had previously described himself as Indiana Jones in his bid to lead Hibs to their Holy Grail at Hampden.
That adventure duly completed, Stubbs decided the time was right to forsake Leith for a new adventure in the English Championship. He would surely never have foreseen that Rotherham’s New York Stadium would became his very own Temple of Doom.
The 45-year-old presided over a miserable sequence that saw the Millers win just one game since his arrival in the summer.
His reign also proved to be the shortest in the club’s 146-year history in terms of games managed.
Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at Birmingham was the club’s seventh straight away defeat, their most barren run in 95 years.
It was a sixth straight Championship defeat and left the team without a victory since beating Brentford at home on August 20.
The gathering of just two points from a possible 27 since then has left them five points adrift at the foot of the table.
Rotherham have also conceded more goals than any other side in the Championship this season.
Stubbs’ transfer activity came under severe scrutiny. He had used his knowledge of the Scottish market to land former Easter Road star Scott Allan on loan from Celtic.
Ex-Rangers loan defender Dominic Ball was also brought on board alongside former Celtic and St Johnstone full-back Darnell Fisher and ex-Falkirk midfielder Will Vaulks.
Yet none of his recruits have impressed.
Allan, who was a star performer under Stubbs in Leith but deemed surplus to requirements by Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead, seems to have lost his way again.
The 24-year-old midfielder has seen his attitude questioned and was left out of squads for recent matches against Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town ‘to reflect on his performances’.
Yet Stubbs had remained defiant in the face of mounting pressure, insisting after the Birmingham loss: ‘I want to turn it around as soon as possible. I had relative success at my previous club (Hibs). I’ve come to Rotherham and it’s a project.
‘It certainly hasn’t gone the way I would have liked it to. But if you’re looking for a quitter, you’re talking to the wrong guy.’
However, chairman Tony Stewart decided yesterday that a parting of the ways was necessary.
A statement read: ‘Rotherham United have parted company with first-team manager Alan Stubbs, assistant manager John Doolan and first-team coach Andy Holden with immediate effect.
‘Following a board meeting this morning, it was felt that a change of first-team management was needed to give the club the best possible opportunity to preserve our Championship status.
‘The club would like to place on record our thanks to Alan, John and Andy for their effort and professionalism, and we wish them well for the future.’
Hibs chairman Rod Petrie reported yesterday that, thanks largely to the efforts of Stubbs and his Cup winners, the club has recorded a modest profit of £200,000 despite remaining in Scotland’s second tier with a top-flight budget.