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Even relatively successful managers are not safe

Managerial turnover is a baked in feature of modern football.   Owners and fans are impatient for success and a few bad results can mean the sack, never mind the cost.  Very often the replacement doesn't do much better with the same set of players.

A new trend is the sacking of relatively successful managers.  'Chopper' Harris saved Gillingham from the driop last season and they were only just outside the play offs when he got the heave ho.  The new owners decided they wanted 'a new dircetion' whatever that means.

Now Wayne Rooney is to replace John Eustace at Birmingham City, agreeing a deal with a salary that is three times the amount Eustace was earning.

Eustace, 43, impressed during his time at the club against a backdrop of financial uncertainty and ownership change. Birmingham are sixth in the Sky Bet Championship after 11 matches this season. However, a statement said he had been dismissed because the board wanted to implement a winning mentality and “culture of ambition” at the club.

It has been a turbulent couple of years for Birmingham. During Eustace’s time in charge the club had two failed takeover bids and faced the threat of points deductions. He saved them from relegation before their new owner, Shelby Companies Limited, led by the American businessman Tom Wagner, took charge in July.

The Blues Trust said they were sorry to see him go and stated that the timing of the change threatened the loss of the momentum and team spirit that Eustace had created.


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