Our manager merry-go-round went mad last year with a total of 10 sackings during the 2013/14 season. We did a write-up on each one, with odds on the next manager to be appointed… Well, we gave up this year. A staggering 23 managerial changes between the 2014/15 pre-season, and today, May 15th, 2015. 9 of those moved from one team to another within our Championship class of 2014/15! We’re going to take a look at Managerial Moves within the League, and managers who didn’t make a year.
1. Oscar Garcia – Oscar resigned from the Seagulls after a full year of service after losing 6-2 to Derby County in the play-off semi-final. Although they were relatively supportive of heir manager, his resignation was realised, and he moved to temporarily manage his previous Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
On his return, he took the place of Giuseppe Sannino who left Watford FC after a prolonged period of unrest within the changing room.
This only lasted around a month, after stepping down due to ill health.
Oscar Garcia: Brighton and Hove Albion to Watford FC and left within 4 months.
2. Jose Riga – Riga was out of a contract at Charlton pre-season after a short spell to ensure a positive end to their season.
A move to Blackpool gave him a mountain to climb, with 8 players and 3 backroom staff. Despite his best efforts of rebuilding a team, Riga won only 1:15 games. Previous tensions with Oyston mounted, and Riga was sacked, only to become the second-shortest serving manager in the Tangerines’ history.
Jose Riga: Charlton Athletic to Blackpool and sacked within 5 months.
3. David Hockaday – Hockaday became manager of Leeds United in pre-season training. After a poor start to the season, and a reprieve granted by Cellino. With a loss in the League Cup to Bradford City, it was the end of Hockaday’s managerial career with Leeds.
David Hockday: Entered the Championship with Leeds and sacked within 70 days.
4. Dougie Freeman – Freeman had a fractious start to the season in charge of Bolton Wanderers, winning only 1:10 games. By October, it was mutually agreed that they would part ways.
It would be 4 months before he’d take control on his next club, Nottingham Forest, succeeding Stuart Pearce. A strong start to his managerial campaign amounted to a two year contract in charge of Forest.
Dougie Freeman: Left Bolton Wanderers by mutual agreement, and continues to manage Nottingham Forest.
5. Billy McKinlay – McKinlay took over from Garcia at Watford after his spell of ill-health, only to part ways after 8 days.
Billy McKinlay: Joined Watford FC and left by mutual agreement after 8 days.
6. Lee Clark – After a 2 year tenure with Birmingham City, in which he barely held them away from relegation by goal different after a 18 game drought, Clark was sacked from Birmingham City holding the record for the worst win-ratio for 25 years, and leaving them balanced on the edge of the relegation zone.
Clark signed for Blackpool in October, replacing Jose Riga. However, having only won 3:34 games as manager and leading the train-wreck of a team into relegation, time was up.
Lee Clark: Sacked from Birmingham City and moved to Blackpool before resigning.
7. Sami Hyypiä – A pre-season moved to replace Oscar Garcia at Brighton and Hove Albion for 3 years seemed like a great deal for BHAFC, having a 50%+ win rate at Bayer Leverkusen. However, this didn’t translate, only winning 3 league games all season. Hyppia resigned.
Sami Hyypiä: Joined Brighton and Hove Albion pre-season and resigned by Christmas.
8. Bob Peeters: Peeters was another pre-season manager who didn’t make the year. Replacing Riga at Charlton Athletic, Peeters lasted 25 games. At the time of sacking, Charlton lay 14th in the League.
Bob Peeters: Joined Charlton Athletic pre-season, only to be sacked after Christmas.
9. Malky Mackay: Mackay joined Wigan as they lay 22nd in the league, but only won 5:24 games in his time there. Despite being backed by the Chairman as an essential piece of the team, his time was also up: sacked.
Malky Mackay: Joined Wigan and sacked within 138 days.
