For many it is seen as the dream job, a job where you can get the yearly income that your heart desires- a lot more than what your heart desires in certain circumstances. Being a Football manager for quite a few is a concept they would like, the football manager video game being very popular for example. The reality itself in recent time especially I am afraid is grim,managers seem to barely last a season these days.
So what is it about being a football manager that people (certain managers) find so difficult? football manager is such a unique position as it isn’t like other employment roles. The role of football manager is different in the sense of that if the team is failing the manager seems to be the first one in the ‘firing line’ and pays the direct consequence.
In other lines of work that isn’t necessarily the case, usually if a team in the work place performs poorly, the manager will most likely look at he/she who isn’t performing and take the appropriate action of what’s needed.
Football managers aren’t even blessed with a ‘probationary period’ well most of them just look at Leeds United for example- do I need to say any more? With most jobs due to the competitive natured society we are living in, job security is a concept which might have meant something in the past – but is a concept that doesn’t exist today.
It begs the question how did Sir Alex, Arsene Wenger and David Moyes at Everton last for so long? Well it’s hard to say but I guess these managers all had good chairman to support them. They say in life ‘good things come to those who wait’ I wish chairman would remember that quote. Talking of David Moyes, here is another example of a manager who has been a victim of impatient owners.
The Scot after a very consistent spell with Everton that lasted for some 10 years or more, was barely given a season at Manchester United. What seemed apparent with this scenario was that the players that Moyes had available had just weren’t good enough, but instead of players getting moved on, sadly for Moyes the 51 year old was a victim of United’s players under performing.
Thankfully new Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has addressed the problem and got rid of players such as Tom Cleverly (good riddance) . The 62 year old Dutchman has brought in players like Di Maria and Falcao, don’t say this to loudly- but Van Gaal isn’t doing that much better than Moyes at the same stage of last season.
The ‘revolving door’ that is football managers jobs- needs to stop. It’s at a ridiculous stage, Mark Robins the Ex Huddersfield manager lost his job or shall I say left by ‘mutual consent’ after 1 game of the current season. If that isn’t ridiculous I don’t know what is.
Owners of football clubs do like to get impatient, but you do need to give your manager time. If you look at Alan Pardew who seemed destined for the sack, but has turned things around recently with a 4 game winning streak. Then there is Sam Allardyce ‘Big Sam’ has been ‘under pressure’ since last season despite guiding the Hammers to 13th.
I am of the opinion that ‘hiring and firing’ managers in it self could cost a lot of money, compensation for ‘unfair dismissal’ and the cost of hiring a manager that a football owner thinks will be successful.
Football won’t change any time soon in regards to the way football managers are treated. Owners of football clubs get ‘mesmerised’ when they see other sides make a change of management and see on the pitch performances improve dramatically. You can’t blame them on one hand for wanting to take such a step.
How times have changed from the days of Sir Alex being at Manchester United and Crewe manager Dario Gradi.
The Bearded Captain 