Being a football manager truly is a thankless task. On 12th September 2010, Nigel Adkins joined Southampton, a side who had fallen from the dizzy heights of the Premier League to the obscurity of League One. Two years and two promotions later Southampton were back in the Premier League, as Adkins led to a remarkable revival of the club’s fortunes, yet today has been sacked.
Life in the Premier League was always going to be challenging, and indeed there have been tough times as they only picked up five points from their first 11 games, which saw them languishing at the foot of the table. Yet their fortunes have improved since then, and Adkins’ side have only lost two of their last 12 matches, culminating in a superb spirited fightback in midweek at Stamford Bridge, where they salvaged a point against the Champions of Europe.
Indeed Southampton currently sit 15th, three points clear of the relegation zone, a very respectable position for a newly promoted team. Yet once more the managerial axe has been wielded, and for reasons unknown to any sane football fan poor Nigel Adkins has been given the managerial chop, and immediately replaced by Argentine Mauricio Pochettino.
How Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese can justify the decision is truly beyond me. During his two and a half years at the club, Adkins has overseen successive promotions, and seen his side emerge victorious in over half of their fixtures; yet seemingly that is not enough. If Southampton were cut adrift in the relegation zone, Cortese’s actions could be understandable, but in the current circumstances they just seem ludicrous, and in my opinion another example of chairmen meddling too much in footballing affairs.
Something may have transpired behind the scenes and outside of public view, but to many the latest revelation is a dramatic shock and a further example of the mistreatment of managers by clubs. The overwhelming reaction is one of amazement at how a manager, who achieved so much, has been so harshly sacked.
Adkins’ replacement Pochettino is a former Argentine international and Espanyol manager, and will take charge with immediate effect. A statement from chairman Cortese read: “This decision has been made with the long-term ambitions of Southampton Football Club in mind. Whilst we acknowledge the contribution Nigel has made during the past two years, for the club to progress and achieve our long-term targets a change was needed.”
So two promotions and a solid start to a Premier League season is not enough then? I do fear for Southampton now; the players must be disheartened and fans distraught. A change at this time of the season can be highly disruptive, and a bad start to Pochettino’s reign will see the pressure quickly build.
Who said football management was easy? It’s hard enough with a supportive board of directors and chairman, but when you’ve achieved so much, fared so well and still end up cruelly getting the sack, you then realise what a thankless task the role can be.