Premiership football has seen the sacking of three managers this season with Ronald Koeman the latest to face the axe. Frank de Boer and Craig Shakespeare had earlier faced the axe after dismal performances in the beginning of the 2017/18 season.
The huge amount of investment in football has increased the desire for results. Chelsea and Manchester City have shown that results are achievable with the right investment and patience. This new trend in football is good to break the dominance of elite clubs but too much emphasis on spending has shifted the focus from the fans to profits for club owners.
The circumstances behind the sacking of coaches and the length of time owners and board members are willing to give may differ. However, there is one thing most sacked managers have in common - dismal performances.
The sacking of Claudio Ranieri last season was shocking to some after leading the Foxes to the Premiership title in 2015. After such success, we would image the club management would give him more time. However, this was not the case, with speculation that the team had lost their confidence in him. One thing is certain, present-day managers are not immune to sacking as current events have shown.
Frank de First
Frank de Boer was announced as the new manager of Crystal Palace on 26 June 2017 replacing Sam Allardyce.
De Boer signed a three-year deal but lasted only 10 weeks after losing their first four matches in the Premiership. De Boer’s Crystal Palace failed to register a single goal in those matches making them the first team to do so in 93 years.
De Boer also set the record for the fastest sacking in the Premier League era; his only win was in the second round of the EFL Cup against Ipswich Town – Palace won 2-1.
Should he have been given more time? Maybe, but there was no way management would want to extend such woeful performances with the possibility of being relegated. Roy Hodgson, the former England manager replaced De Boer at Crystal Palace.
Craig Shakespeare the next
After the sacking of Claudio Ranieri on 23 February 2017, Craig Shakespeare was appointed as the interim manager of Leicester City.
He was appointed as the manager on 12 March by 8 June; he signed a 3-year contract for The Foxes.
On his appointment as the interim manager, Leicester City began to see results, beating Liverpool 3-1. Shakespeare averaged 3 goals per game in his first three matches as manager, winning his first four league matches. Shakespeare was sacked on 17 October after a string of poor performances left the team in the bottom three. Michael Appleton was appointed the caretaker manager after the axing of Shakespeare.
Ronald Koeman the third
Ronald Koeman signed a three-year contract with Everton after leaving Southampton after a successful spell with the club. Koeman led Southampton to their best Premier League season, finishing sixth place with 63 points and a UEFA Europa League qualification.
Koeman led Everton to the Europa League in his first season in 2016.
Koeman was sacked by Everton after falling into the relegation zone. He was sacked on 23 October 2017 following a 5-2 defeat to Arsenal. Everton has struggled this season after spending £140 million to strengthen the team. Koeman had lost 7 in 11 matches and the team has failed to click under his watch this season. Sean Dyche and former manager David Moyes are speculated to be considered as the new manager.
Someone’s next
One thing is certain, a manager will be sacked eventually – after some poor performances, West Ham United’s Slaven Bilic maybe next before the end of the season. West Ham United is 16th with 8 points and very close to the bottom; more drama is sure to unfold as the season progresses.
