Managerial Merry - go round

Here's a quick quiz question, how many teams in League 1 last season changed their manager?

Answer - 9 sides - Forest, Bristol City, Gillingham, Yeovil, Rotherham, Hartlepool, Swindon, Walsall and of course Blackpool.

Add on to that list a further 9 teams that opted to make a change at the top in the close season - MK Dons, Brentford, Oldham, Tranmere, Hartlepool, Swindon (again), Northampton, Millwall and Carlisle. So whatever happened to stability at clubs I hear you ask. Well, it is not uncommon for teams to have a re - shuffle in the Summer and bring in a new manager, but this year it seems the managerial merry - go round has reached a new level.

For whatever reason, an abnormal number of clubs have replaced their managers this summer. In League 1 alone, we have seen Ronnie Moore make the short trip from Oldham to Tranmere, with newly promoted Northampton having their promising young manager Colin Calderwood poached by Forest. Gary Johnson was tempted by Bristol City and departed Yeovil, whilst just a couple of weeks ago we learn that Paul Simpson took the hot seat at the Nobbers, leaving Carlisle in a pickle.

So what has caused this sudden shake - up? Are managers getting itchy feet all of a sudden? For me, there is far too much pressure put on managers and coaches nowadays by chairmen, boards and supporters. If the side is not performing and results are not coming then ultimately it's the manager who bites the bullet. Often too much is expected too soon. Karl Oyston has always made his stance clear, he believes that stability is the key, which I agree with. Managers should be given time, so let's hope Simon Grayson is not cast off by Christmas if we are not in the top six!

There is, of course a more reasonable explanation. Due to the great attention on the World Cup this Summer, chairmen around the country must have entered a pact whereby to get the attention back on their clubs they would get rid of managers! Joking apart, let's hope we see some sense and managers across the country are given time to succeed at their clubs.

By TangerineLordy

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