IT’S NOT EASY TO BE THE BOSS, STEVE!
BEING a football manager seems to get more precarious by the week – yet there are still plenty of people eager to take their place in the hotseat.
One of the more surprising stories of the past week was that former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard, who has just finished a playing stint in the USA with LA Galaxy, had been in contact with League One side MK Dons over their vacant managerial role.
The 36-year-old midfielder has also been linked with Newcastle and Celtic, and with a coaching role with Liverpool, but the latest indications are that he will decide whether or not to take over at Stadium MK tomorrow.
Axed
Other big-hitters like Frank Lampard and Ryan Giggs have also been touted for the role and it could make a decent starting point for any of them.
The Dons were in the Championship as recently as last season, but have failed to spark in League One this term – and manager Karl Robinson paid the price for their poor form when he was axed just under a month ago.
Robinson had been in charge at MK Dons for sixand-a-half years, making him the third longest-serving manager in the top four divisions, behind Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and Exeter’s Paul Tisdale.
The fact that the Dons have had managerial stability is a plus for would-be candidates – as management roles are becoming increasingly shortterm.
If Gerrard, Lampard and Giggs want any evidence of that, they only need to look at the past week as another three bosses bit the dust.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the trio was the experienced Russell Slade being axed by Charlton Athletic after a little over five months in charge.
Although the Addicks were a lowly 15th in the table following relegation last term, they were only six points off the play-off positions and had a game in hand on a host of teams above them in the table.
After a turbulent time over the last couple of years under owner Roland Duchatelet, Charlton had gone for an English manager in the summer and it appeared they were keen for a period of stability. Not so.
In a statement, Charlton said: “The club has reluctantly made this decision after results this season, which have left the team occupying 15th place.
“The club wants to give itself the best possible opportunity of achieving its number one priority – winning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship at the earliest opportunity.”
Assistant manager Kevin Nugent has taken caretaker charge, with former QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink one name linked with the post.
Another boss heading out of the exit door was Bury’s David Flit- croft, after a 5-0 FA Cup first round reverse against AFC Wimbledon in midweek stretched the club’s run without a win to 11 games in all competitions.
The 42-year-old had been in charge of the Shakers for almost three years, leading them to promotion from League Two in 2014-15.
“It is with a very heavy heart I leave this football club but I truly wish Bury all the very best in the future,” said Flitcroft.
“I have been proud to manage Bury, taking the club from the bottom of the Football League and leaving it in a healthier position of five points off the League One play-offs and I’m sure the club will have a real chance of reaching the play-offs when the injured players return and there is competition in the squad.”
Change
Meanwhile, Adam Murray has left League Two outfit Mansfield Town after almost two years as manager and been replaced by Steve Evans (see story left). “I have been with the club for over 14 years and having discussed it with my management team we have decided that it is time for a change,” said the 35-year-old former Derby and Oxford midfielder. “We are immensely proud of what we have achieved, moving both the club forward and achieving its highest league position in over ten years.”