Browse Sections

• Stockport County FC
• Sale Sharks
• Local football
• Local cricket

A manager's job is not a steady one

5/11/2008

JIM Gannon believes that the high turnover of managers in the top four divisions is a situation that won’t change anytime soon.

On Monday Carlisle boss John Ward left Brunton Park in the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at County, then Aidy Boothroyd parted company with Watford after four games without a win.

Yesterday [Tues] it was announced that Stan Ternent had been sacked by Huddersfield after just six months and after an almost complete overhaul of the playing squad.

Gannon said: "It’s a well-known fact now that the average tenure of a manager has been reduced almost to a matter of months. There’s no particular reason behind that trend, but the League Manager’s Association have pointed out that qualified managers [like Gannon] do tend to stay in the game longer.

"Having said that though, the three gentlemen who have lost their jobs this week are all highly regarded. I’m sure they won’t be out of work for long.

"It’s a growing trend though, and I think we’ll see a lot more go over the next few months.

"I think in the last 12 to 14 months, we’ve seen the turnover of half the managers in the top four divisions. I’m fortunate that I’ve had success at Stockport and I’ve been able to help keep moving the club in the right direction.

"I think it’s very difficult to judge a manager after just six months.

"The Huddersfield situation perhaps shows the dangers of going for broke in the chase for the lucrative Championship.

"There’s a different mentality at our club though, in that we want to be progressive, we want to build our club and nurture our own talent.

"That makes for a healthier team and a healthier business."

Following Boothroyd’s departure from Watford, Gannon is now the 15th longest-serving manager in the top four divisions. He was appointed County manager just less than three years ago.