LMA hopeful of new sack trend

Fewer changes at the helm of English Premier League clubs could be a developing trend, according to the League Managers’ Association.

Only Steve Bruce has been sacked from England’s top flight this campaign, dismissed by Sunderland in November.

It remains the only dismissal, despite several managers being under pressure before the halfway mark of the season.

Lowly Blackburn have persisted with Steve Kean despite fan pressure, while Bolton’s Owen Coyle, Wigan’s Roberto Martinez and Wolverhampton’s Mick McCarthy remain in charge even though they sit in the bottom four.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was also under pressure early in the season, but was given time and now has his side fourth on the table.

But LMA chief executive Richard Bevan remains unsure as to whether the persistence is a change in approach.

“This might signal a changing trend,” Bevan told BBC.

“But, as the timing and pattern of overall football manager dismissals has varied between recent seasons, with peaks sometimes occurring as early as September or as late as December, it is impossible to determine yet whether there will be no mid-season peak or whether it is just happening later this season.”

Bevan said the LMA wanted to ‘change football’s mindset’, to ensure managers were given time to succeed.

“Simply dismissing a manager after a poor run is detrimental not only to the club but to the game itself,” he said.

“The LMA is working hard to change football’s mindset, working on the recruitment process of managers and ensuring that the clubs and managers set realistic goals and aspirations.”

In 2006/07, no managers were dismissed in the first three months of the season, but seven ended up losing their jobs.

Bevan said he understood why managers were sacked, but added it could cause the game serious damage.

“Time, sadly, is not a commodity afforded to managers. Certainly it is understandable at times that chairmen have been spooked by results, empty seats or fans’ pressure, but stability is imperative to deliver results,” he said.

“Instability at clubs can cause very real damage to the wider good of the game.”