Feb 09 2009
Not A Good Day For Premier League Managers!
I’ve said before that I’m a huge fan of football (the “soccer” kind mainly) and am a lifelong fan of Aston Villa. I’ve seen some amazing days in the Premier League but I have to say that my jaw has been on the floor twice today. I found out this morning that Tony Adams, manager of Portsmouth, was sacked last night and just 30 minutes ago I found out that Luiz Felipe Scolari, manager of Chelsea, was sacked this afternoon! I’m shockd by both decisions to tell you the truth, but for different reasons.
Tony Adams had only been in charge of Portsmouth for 22 games over 15 weeks following the desertion of Harry Redknapp to Spurs. Having played Portsmouth since (Villa, not me!) and watched them on TV numerous times, I thought they were playing well. Although the points have hardly been forthcoming with Pompey only winning 2 out of the 15 league games they played under Tony Adams, I thought that the players were more to blame than Adams himself. The tactics were solid in theory but the players often made silly mistakes that cost their team points. And of course then there were some of Harry’s men that just didn’t want to play for Adams. We’re told that wasn’t the case but you can see it in their body language. All told, although Portsmouth are only a point off the relegation zone as the Premier League stands at the moment, I feel really sorry for Tony Adams. I like him and wish him luck. After all, if a club won’t back you with money to bring in players and will sack you because they don’t think they’ll be able to sell the club with you on board then they aren’t worth the stress and hassle. Good luck Tony!
And now on to Scolari!
Chelsea drew with Hull at the weekend and went 4th in the league as Villa (woo hoo!) overtook them after winning at Blackburn. The supporters have been going mad over Scolari for some time now and booed the team off at the weekend. Chelsea started off the season well but have slipped in recent weeks, drawing and losing key games without actually looking like a credible threat in front of goal. There have been rumours of player rifts, most notably with Didier Drogba, and no end of crazy interviews that have suggested he lost the plot. However, I have to say I was shocked because I, like many other supporters, thought he’d go at the end of the season rather than right about now. As it stands though Luiz Felipe Scolari is now without a job and Chelsea are looking for a manager! There are two names on the shortlist as it stands - Guus Hiddink is one of them and the other one made me laugh out loud - Avram Grant!!! If Grant goes back to Chelsea after being sacked last season then he needs his head read! Sorry Chelsea fans, nothing against you but I can’t believe he’d want to return after the way he was treated last year! Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the post though so no welcome return.
On another note, why couldn’t Scolari resign after Chelsea played Villa in 2 weeks time?!!!
