While many people spent New Year's Day celebrating and looking forward to the future, George Burley and Mark Stimson were left reflecting on the mistakes that cost them their jobs. I still stand by what I have said previously that managers are often sacked too quickly these days as people's expectations spiral out off control. But in the cases of Burley and Stimson it is a lot tougher to find much sympathy with the situations the duo found themselves in.
Stimson and Burley
When former Gillingham manager Stimson took over at Barnet back in June, it was always going to be a tough ask. Many expected the Bees to be in and around the relegation places this season but, after winning just five of his 26 games in charge at Underhill, Stimson's time was well and truly up. Bottom of the table and in danger of dropping out of the Football League is a disastrous situation for the London club and, while I feel a little bit sorry for Stimson, it was the right decision. The timing of sacking someone on New Year's Day is harsh but the club needs to change results...and quickly!
Stimson was not alone in losing his job on New Year's Day as Burley was shown the door by Crystal Palace following the 3-0 defeat at rivals Millwall. The former Ipswich, Derby, Hearts and Southampton boss, also only arrived at his post in June following the club's takeover by the CPFC 2010 consortium. The Eagles needed a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday to avoid relegation from the Championship on the final day of last season and the 2010/11 campaign is looking no better with the club struggling in the relegation zone. Although the club isn't too far from safety, I believe a fresh face could be exactly what is needed to turn Palace's fortunes back around. Sacking managers seems to becoming a trend in the Championship following the departures of Darren Ferguson and Brian Laws, from Preston and Burnley respectively, at the end of December.
More out the door...
Sackings continued in early 2011 with no fewer than three further dismissals being announced on Tuesday January 4. Although one or two of the sackings in 2010 beggared belief, the early 2011 casualties didn't come as much of a surprise as changes desperately needed to be made at the clubs in question. League One bottom club Walsall sacked Chris Hutchings, while Phil Parkinson was shown the door by Charlton despite the Addicks being up in 5th place. The latter's departure may have filled some Charlton fans with relief though as some feel his time should have been up a long time ago. I also believe Parkinson needed to move on and I have no doubt that they will find someone better to replace him.
Stockport's dismissal of Paul Simpson also came as little surprise with the club down in 21st place in League Two. Three wins in 19 games simply isn't good enough, but I do feel a bit sorry for Simpson. Simpson only arrived at the club last summer following the Hatters' relegation from League One. The club was in a mess and the 2010/11 season was always going to be a struggle and nobody expected miracles straightaway. But Stockport's form just hasn't improved quite enough to save Simpson his job.
It's a cruel world...
Football management is a cruel world and the recent spate of sackings highlight how it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep a football club's board and fans happy. Expectations continue to increase with every season that passes.
Maybe one or two of the managers sacked in 2010 should have been given more time, but the recent casualties were rightly shown the door. But for every door that is shut another opens for someone else, so fans can look on the bright side and get ready for a brighter 2011.
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