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Manager Sack Watch

There’s something about Monk that bothers me, he just seems like a wrong’un.

Either way, he’s Moyes 2.0. Got noticed by doing a reasonable job in an average team then got found out when trying to step up beyond his capabilities.

Sometimes the square peg in the square hole needs to stay put.

Moyes, Monk, Curbishley...Lampard?

I completely agree, he just oozes "Im a clam" vibes, certainly not a likeable bloke (IMO).

Not sure he is a Moyes yet though. He did a very good job at Swansea, did ok at Leeds considering the basket case they are, and has done outstanding work at Brum considering the limitations he is working under.

Im not convinced he is a top level manager or anything like that, but Im also not convinced he is a Moyes at this point...
 
The Mirror

Garry Monk was sensationally sacked by Birmingham City after one row too many with club bigwig Xuandong Ren.

The 40-year-old was relieved of his responsibilities at St Andrew’s yesterday following a bizarre training ground dispute

Monk’s 16-month stint in charge of the Championship club was ended after a stand-off when Ren, who has been placed in day-to-day charge by Birmingham’s mysterious Chinese owners, showed the former Leeds United manager the door.

Ren had told senior members of the club’s staff last week that the situation was ‘untenable’ leading to Monk issuing a statement saying he was staying put.

That had more to do with contractual matters with the real reason behind his exit was a rumpus at the Blues’ Wast Hills training base.

Ren initially upset his manager Monk by moving his own offices to the complex with a view to keeping a closer eye on training.

He moved four analysts out of their room – creating a huge window from where he could keep an eye on Monk’s training ground routines.

This upset the former Swansea City chief who communicated his displeasure via text to Ren – who promptly responded by ignoring the situation and ploughing on regardless.

Monk was also unhappy with the situation over the profit and sustainability issues that have dogged the club throughout last season and ended with a nine-point deduction that threatened to derail all of the work put in by a squad that, with the one exception of defender Kristian Pedersen, also had a transfer embargo placed upon it.

He had been seeking assurances over the budget for this season amid further speculation that Birmingham are once again going to fall foul of breaking the financial rules.

And the barely credible suspension of likeable Under-23 coach Richard Beale – who shared a close relationship with the manager – also added to the manager’s displeasure.

Beale had sought clearance – and been given it – to attend a charity day aiming to raise funds for a mental health charity.

Birmingham fan Beale had lost a close friend, Nick Mowl, who took his own life and organised a second annual day to raise funds in his memory.

It was a five-a-side competition in which Monk played. Unfortunately, that event coincided with an Under-23s divisional play-off fixture against Leeds United – which Birmingham lost on penalties.

He sought clearance to attend the charity day but has subsequently been suspended from a position that he has held with distinction for more than a decade.

Incredibly, this follows yet more erratic behaviour by the Chinese who has taken just one bad decision after another since he arrived at the club.

He was in situ during the over-spend that landed the club in such trouble and also appointed Steve Cotterill as manager – and relegation to the third tier was only averted by Monk’s intervention.

But only this season, he has shown even more poor behaviour.
 
The Mirror:

BREAKING Rafa Benitez leaves Saudi Sportswashing Machine after failing to agree new contract

Saudi Sportswashing Machine have confirmed Rafa Benitez has left the club.

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.




Obviously possible they can still get him back in, but on the assumption he is moving on - thats them fudged isnt it?
 
The Mirror:

BREAKING Rafa Benitez leaves Saudi Sportswashing Machine after failing to agree new contract

Saudi Sportswashing Machine have confirmed Rafa Benitez has left the club.

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.




Obviously possible they can still get him back in, but on the assumption he is moving on - thats them fudged isnt it?
Maybe if someone buys them soon they could get him back, of course he could have been asking for wages or transfer funds beyond their budget but a non Benítez or relegated Saudi Sportswashing Machine is going to lessen what Ashley can get for them )if he genuinely wants to sell)

Whoever takes over will need to get a good start to keep the fans onside, with Benítez they had the patience to let him deliver even if they looked into trouble.
 
Maybe if someone buys them soon they could get him back, of course he could have been asking for wages or transfer funds beyond their budget but a non Benítez or relegated Saudi Sportswashing Machine is going to lessen what Ashley can get for them )if he genuinely wants to sell)

Whoever takes over will need to get a good start to keep the fans onside, with Benítez they had the patience to let him deliver even if they looked into trouble.
From the outside it looked like Ashley has had a relatively easy ride whilst Benitez was manager.
 
Maybe if someone buys them soon they could get him back, of course he could have been asking for wages or transfer funds beyond their budget but a non Benítez or relegated Saudi Sportswashing Machine is going to lessen what Ashley can get for them )if he genuinely wants to sell)

Whoever takes over will need to get a good start to keep the fans onside, with Benítez they had the patience to let him deliver even if they looked into trouble.

Monk the early favourite for the job. Given the squad they have, and clearly limited funds, I dont see him being a success.

Benitez had that lot consistently punching above their weight AND had the fans onside (as you say) - something that can not be under rated up there.

The Mirror says he was offered a £50m transfer budget, given the squad they have that really is peanuts. Itll buy one or two decent players and thats it.

One of them being Rondon probably, so not even an upgrade!

I am far from a fan of Benitez, but it is undeniable just how important he is to them. I think Ashley has shot himself in the foot massively.
 
Mirror:

At a mid-season training camp 17 months ago, Rafa Benitez asked the question that gnawed away at him for three years at Saudi Sportswashing Machine.

“How can I trust him?”

Him being Saudi Sportswashing Machine owner Mike Ashley.

Benitez, his problem expressed in an unguarded moment, never found or discovered the answer.

He probed, pushed, and demanded changes – to everything from transfer business to the training ground.

He wanted his new players pursued quicker and more decisively. He wanted control of who was signed. He wanted a long-term strategy to evolve his squad. He wanted the training ground buildings improved.

So Rafa trust Mike? No. Saudi Sportswashing Machine trust Rafa? Also a no.

Saudi Sportswashing Machine have other ideas. They wouldn't bow to the instinct and experience of a man who'd won trophies all over Europe, at the very biggest clubs.

They think they have a better way. That will be tested next season, amid the now inevitable summer of upheaval.

Benitez must have thought he had leverage and power as his contract ran down to expiry on June 30.

He had a Tyneside fans base behind him, threatening to quit St James' Park and stay away if he was allowed to leave.

Yet he was warned a few months ago that if one man was prepared to let him walk away it was Ashley, and that sensible compromise had to be made.

It was made clear that Ashley would let him walk, unbothered by the hurry-up suggestion that he's got a £12m a year offer on the table to boss in China.

Rafa's powerful position – the fan worship, experience, his knitting together of club and supporter, his genuine love of the city – counted for nothing with Ashley, a man always ready to play hard-ball in business negotiations and adopt a “f-you” approach.

Earlier this summer Ashley reinforced his desire to sign young players who could be nurtured and build value.

Benitez wanted flexibility to sign players approaching 30, like Salomon Rondon for £16.5m, who was a big hit last season. He became a test of wills between manager and club.

Ashley allies feared Rondon may have had his peak season, that spending cash and a big contract on him could be dead money. Benitez allies said Rondon leading the line would be crucial in staying the the top flight (itself worth £100m a year) and that exceptions had to be made.

There were tensions during every transfer window Benitez was in charge. He was allowed free reign to build a squad to get out of the Championship, but when they did, running the second tier's highest ever wage bill, control was pulled back from the manager.

Benitez made his frustrations clear as deadline days came and went. He approved players coming in, but some were way down his list, and some not it.

He had little power apart from words though. Benitez was deeply unhappy that he has a £6m golden handcuff clause in his contract which meant he owed the club that sum if he walked out, the vice versa if he was sacked.

He was locked-in to seeing out his three year term.

The club delivered Miguel Almiron, the £21m record signing from Atlanta, late in January... weeks after Rafa had lined him up in November at No1 target.

The club say they haggled over the initial £27m, delayed, and because of that saved £6m.

It was clear by May that Saudi Sportswashing Machine's best hope was to get Benitez to sign a short term deal for one year.

Talks progressed as far as him being offered £6m a year. MD Lee Charnley illustrated in May how Benitez would have a £100m transfer budget over two season, plus cash raised form player sales... and that would not add any debt to a club intent on living within its means.

All along a proposed £350m takeover has been bubbling behind the scenes. There are two interested parties said to be in talks. And talks, and talks. But very little decisive action to get it done.

At least one bidder would definitely keep Benitez as manager.

But now he has gone. Saudi Sportswashing Machine start pre-season training next week, and go to China to play pre-season games.

They need a new manager.

On Tyneside the feeling will be one of total sadness.

They had an opportunity to let a genuine world class manager build a club, for all the difficulties that working with his demands and politicking would bring.

Benitez is the best Saudi Sportswashing Machine have had since Sir Bobby Robson. It is desperately poor that it has come to this.

He was not only a world class boss, he is a genuine, warm, generous human being.

There are not many of those in football.

This is a major loss for Saudi Sportswashing Machine.
 
Mirror:

He had little power apart from words though. Benitez was deeply unhappy that he has a £6m golden handcuff clause in his contract which meant he owed the club that sum if he walked out, the vice versa if he was sacked.

He was locked-in to seeing out his three year term.

The club delivered Miguel Almiron, the £21m record signing from Atlanta, late in January... weeks after Rafa had lined him up in November at No1 target.

The club say they haggled over the initial £27m, delayed, and because of that saved £6m.
As someone who signed a contract with a 6m golden handcuffs clause, you’d think they’d appreciate the value of saving 6m by waiting a couple of weeks to sign someone...
 
Being on an Ashley shortlist means little. He has had many shortlists of potential buyers (especially at season ticket renewal time). Zero hours buyers don't cut it.

Neither Vieira nor Gerrard have anything to gain from going to Saudi Sportswashing Machine now. They are building reputations that Ashley can destroy. It's different from Lampard to Chelsea where he has some clear positive reasons.
 
Martin O'Neill sacked by Nottingham Forest after just five months in charge
Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Martin O'Neill after just five months in charge

Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Martin O'Neill.

The Northern Irishman only took the job at The City Ground five months ago but has now been dismissed, days after the departure assistant manager Roy Keane.

O'Neill returned to the club where he won the European Cup and made 371 appearances as a player in January after they parted company with Aitor Karanka.

He took over with the club in ninth place and four points off the play-offs but was unable to mount a promotion push as they finished eight points adrift of sixth.

A club statement read: "Nottingham Forest can confirm that manager Martin O’Neill has left the club.

"The club would like to thank Martin for all his efforts during his time at The City Ground and wish him well for the future."

It is believed a number of key players turned against O'Neill and assistant boss Keane, leading to club bosses opting to make a change before the new season.

The club are now on the lookout for their 12th manager since June 2011 as they look to earn promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 1998/99.

According to The Guardian , the club are aiming to minimise disruption with a quick appointment and Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi, formerly manager of Rennes and Ivory Coast, has emerged as an early front-runner.
 
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