The “managerial merry-go-round” is a phrase that has become extremely common in football language. Managers have come and gone and the lifespan of the gaffer seems to be getting shorter and shorter. But the events in the Championship this week at Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool have taken this to a whole new extent.
It seems crazy to think that by the end of January (assuming Blackpool have hired someone) both clubs will have had three permanent managers this season.
Blackburn decided to stick with Steve Kean despite relegation, yet owner’s Venky’s and Kean parted way in September, with Rovers well placed at the top end of the table. Former defender Henning Berg was seen to be the answer to all problems. Fifty-seven days later he was shown the exit door.
Now Michael Appleton has left Blackpool to take up the reins at Ewood Park, for what many have seen as an impossible job. This, of course, is a group of owners who wanted Champions League football when they took over, but things have only gone downhill since the ink on the contract dried.
Blackpool find themselves in the same situation but through no fault of their own. They have been unfortunate enough to have not one, but two of their managers taken by other clubs.
Having lost in the play-off final last season, they began this campaign with Ian Holloway who had seen them through their promotion to the Premier League. However, by November and with Blackpool having seemingly dropping out of the promotion race, Holloway was snapped up by Crystal Palace, who themselves lost their previous gaffer Dougie Freedman to Bolton Wanderers.
As a replacement Appleton was brought in from financial strugglers Portsmouth, but less than 70 days later, he too has walked out of Bloomfield Road.
This episode has highlighted how one club has used the merry-go-round to their advantage, whilst another has been at the wrong end of it. With football being compared more often to a business and the idea of loyalty all but gone, Venky’s have shown a Gordon Gekko ruthlessness in their dealings with managers.
Blackpool have been the unlucky losers of the merry-go-round and arguably been victims of the modern game. The disruption and lack of stability the Tangerines have suffered is likely to have a negative impact on their possible chances of promotion.
The bigger picture is that the events at the two north-west clubs have emphasised what many supporter’s now feel is ruining the beautiful game. What now happens at both clubs will certainly be interesting viewing.
Find more from me here: @dmsmith1987
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