OSG Prem: West Brom Sacks Irvine, Is Pardew Going Home...?

((HT: NBCSN/Sky Sports))

The HQ saw that Crystal Palace would be the first to sack a manager in the Premier League season- Neil Warnock on Saturday after a 3-1 loss to Southampton as they fight in relegation.

Now, West Brom (struggling themselves at the bottom of the table) has sacked Alan Irvine who was regarded as a strange choice to take over in the first place after last season's misfortunes. The West Brom side have lost three in a row and are currently 16th in the table, but they're only one point above the drop zone.

The odd part of all this was that former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood was in line to take over for Warnock at Palace, but now he is lined up to take over for Irvine- according to the London Telegraph.

Got all that...???

But it gets better...

Alan Pardew may be jetting from Newcastle to go back to the place where he was a player in the 1980's and '90s- Crystal Palace.
Rebecca and the Robbies discuss


There will be a quiz later on...

OSG Prem: And We Have Our First Sacking

((HT: BPL/NBCSN))

At least Crystal Palace waited until after the holiday to do it...

It took this loss to Southampton to send Neil Warnock on his way- after only four months on the job...


Warnock was manager from 2007 and 2010 and was seen as a hopeful replacement for Tony Pulis- who left the squad two days before the regular season after a dispute with the ownership over player control. Pulis, strangely, and former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood are seen as replacements for the replacement now that Palace are back in the relegation zone.

From the Palace website:

Crystal Palace Football Club can today confirm that Neil Warnock has been relieved of his duties and is no longer first-team manager.

The club would like to put on record its thanks to Neil for all his hard work and energy over the past four months.

Keith Millen will lead the team against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow as caretaker manager.

This was the longest time a Premier League season had gone without a sacking since the 95-96 season.

OSG Prem: And Moyes Is Out...

((HT: Sky Sports))

The opinion of the Brits is interesting in this case...

The press and the fans think that the sacking of Manchester United manager David Moyes was more on what he couldn't do versus what he did. The club lost more games in a Premier League season than they have in a long time.

Now, the mess that is ManU is Ryan Giggs' for the remaining four games of the year- all very winnable...

Gary Neville thinks Moyes is a scapegoat for the inaction of the players, the roster, and the Glazers...


So, what happens when Giggs performs well without a history of being a prime manager...???
Does former ManU player Laurent Blanc, the head of Paris St. Germain, come in to be the savior...???

And that way, the idea of being the guy replacing the legend- instead of being the guy to be the guy to replace the legend- falls on the manager who comes in next to clean up the mess created by Sir Alex and compounded by Moyes and the front office...

Neville thinks he needed more time...

DEVELOPING: Moyes To Be Sacked At ManU...??? (UPDATED)

((HT: The Telegraph))

Only 11 months in, the Chosen One could be the Departed One...

David Moyes, hand-picked to be the successor for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, seems to have lost the locker room and the executives. If Moyes is looking for any kind of assurance that he's going to be around after this season, he could be out the door before this week's game with Norwich.

It would be a cleaning house...

Moyes, Mike Phelan, Rene Meulensteen, Steve Round, Jimmy Lumsden and Phil Neville would all be gone with Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp the leader in the clubhouse to replace Moyes.

Here's what seems to be the last straw- the 2-0 loss to Everton over the weekend...


If Moyes is let go, Ryan Giggs would be expected to take charge of the team for the balance of the season. United is facing not being involved in European football for the first time since the 1981-82 season.

More when we know more...

NOON UPDATE: Looks like, according to Sky Sports, that the sack may happen in the next 24 hours...

OSG Prem: Arsenal Slide Continues, Liverpool Wins Grinder (BREAKING: Hughton Sacked At Norwich)

((HT: BPL/NBCSN))

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners...

The team had only won 3 of their last ten, and needed to do something... ANYTHING!!! at Goodison Park against Everton to keep their tenuous hold on 4th place and the last Champions League spot for 2014-15. But it didn't work out that way...

At all...


In the other Sunday game, it's the response that your team has when you're not at your best that may decide your drive at the end of a very long road...

It was obvious that Liverpool didn't have it all Sunday, But what they did have was enough good fortune- whether given by the officials or not- to get a hard-fought 2-1 win at West Ham United.


Here's the table to date

1 Liverpool 33 74
2 Chelsea 33 72
3 Man City 31 70
4 Arsenal 33 64
5 Everton 32 63

BREAKING: And in, possibly, one of the dumbest ideas ever in the history of ever...

Norwich, who really should be worried about being relegated, decided to sack manager Chris Hughton with immediate effect:

Neil Adams, the team's under-18 manager, is now in charge for one of the nastiest gauntlets to finish a season the HQ can think of in any kind of memory- recent or otherwise...

"...the Club would like to place on record it's sincere thanks to Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope for all of their hard work on behalf of the Club since they took over in June 2012.

Chris's achievement in guiding City to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last season was an excellent one and he has represented the Club with dignity throughout his tenure.

However the recent run of four defeats in our last six Premier League games and six consecutive away league defeats, left the Club with no choice but to act, with five games still to play in the current campaign.

Those five games...???

Fulham at Craven Cottage, home to Liverpool, at Man United, at Chelsea, and home to Arsenal
Yeah... good luck on that...

OSG Prem: I Quit, No, You're Fired...

((HT: SkySports))

Nicolas Anelka, it cannot be debated, that when he's on... he's on...

A tremendous scorer who can also be a tremendous headache...

Evidenced by his short-lived time at West Brom... after a move on a scored goal in late December, his time was even shorter-lived...

BBC Newsnight caught up with David Baddiel about the "quenelle" salute Anelka gave...


And, then, caught up with Dieudonne himself back in February...


West Brom gave conditions for his reinstatement- which were later revealed to be an apology to everyone and accept a fine.

Anelka then took to his Twitter account to announce he was leaving and terminating his contract on his own "with immediate effect."

The club, then, decided it wasn't Anelka's move to make and sacked him...

Their statement:

"Nicolas Anelka's purported termination of his Premier League contract this evening via Social Media was invalid as this was not conducted under the correct legal process as required by his contract.

"The club considers the conduct of Nicolas Anelka on December 28, coupled with his purported termination on Social Media this evening, to be gross misconduct.

"As a result the club has tonight written to Nicolas Anelka giving him 14 days' notice of termination as required under his contract."

West Brom, as a footnote, picked up a major three points in a win at Swansea to get a little further away from relegation...

OSG Prem: Fulham Has "Panicked" Sacking Meulensteen

And it seems that new Fulham owner Shad Khan is treating his franchise like...

Well, the HQ doesn't know what...

He isn't treating his Jacksonville Jaguars like this... only his coaching staff is treating the starting quarterback situation this way... there is an inordinate amount of faith that has been shown in Gus Bradley...

But Fulham has sacked Rene Meulensteen after 74 days of work...

Which does seem like a panic move for a team that is dead last in the Premier League table...

Here's Rene with BBC sports talk presenter Dan Walker:


Felix Magath, whose last job was in the Bundesliga two years ago, is now the interim interim manager...

Shahid Khan came out with a statement that read, in part:

"Given our form, we can no longer merely hope that our fortunes will finally turn. And with 12 matches remaining and at least four points separating us from safety, we certainly can no longer post empty results. Action was required.

"Alistair Mackintosh (the club's CEO) did a wonderful job during the January transfer window to improve our club.

"This week, Alistair recommended Felix, with his history of producing results for clubs with similar challenges as ours, as the new manager of Fulham. Alistair's recommendation received my complete approval and Felix has my unequivocal support."

Yeah... they're done...

OSG Prem: Laudrup Seeks Legal Advice After Sacking

((HT: Sky Sports))

As if anything could go any MORE wrong when it comes to the sacking of the Swansea City manager...

Michael Laudrup had only won one of his last nine and injuries (and a lack of offense) had pinned him in to try and win a lot of matches 1-0 this year. It was a team not capable of coming from behind all that well with injuries to last year's leading scorer, Michu, and starting keeper Michael Worm

The win in the Capital One Cup over Bradford City seems like a distant memory now...
So, let's show it...


Laudrup has now confirmed through a statement released by the League Manager's Association (LMA) that he may go all legal on Swansea as a response:

"I am deeply disappointed to have been dismissed as manager of Swansea City," he said in the statement. "In particular, the manner in which it happened and the actions the club has taken since notifying me in the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary."

The team is currently 12th in the table, but the drop zone is within a game or so of seven different teams that aren't there now...

And next up for Swansea is the Welsh derby with Cardiff this weekend...

Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers discusses the sacking...
((HT: BBC))

OSG Prem: Swansea Sack Laudrup

In the most recent version of "what have you done for me lately?" The Swansea front office, amidst rumor of split opinions on manager Michael Laudrup, has sacked him as the team is fighting to avoid the drop...

Last season's top-ten Premier finish and Cap One Cup win be damned, all the injuries in the world not withstanding (especially to Michu), but winning only one of your last ten will do this for you...

“It is a decision we have taken reluctantly," Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins said on the clubs website. “But it’s a decision made in the best interests of Swansea City Football Club and our supporters. It is the first time in nearly 10 years that the club has parted with a manager in this way, but we had to remove the constant uncertainty surrounding the club and Michael’s long-term future with us.”

Garry Monk and Alan Curtis will share coaching for the remainder of the season- and all that's up next is the back-end of the Welsh derby with Cardiff Saturday afternoon...

So, in remembrance, here's the 5-0 whitewash of Bradford City in the final from Wembley:

OSG Prem: Malky Mackay's Prepared Statement On Sacking From Cardiff City FC

((HT: Sky Sports))

After Cardiff City FC owner Vincent Tan sacked manager Malky Mackay, Tan came out with a statement that either was creepy or just wrong that loosely referenced his lack of involvement in getting Mackay sacked as well as their relationship and how much Tan loves his club...

Start retching at the first impulse...

As have, probably, a lot of CCFC fans...
((HT: Sky Sports))


As was the smart play, Mackay gave off a statement of his own that reinforces him coming out of this as the good guy and not being unemployed for long...

"It is with the deepest and most sincere regret that I today confirm my sacking as manager of Cardiff City FC," Mackay said.

"As disappointing as today's decision is, I am already able to look back at my time at Cardiff City FC with immense pride and joy given the number of milestones the club achieved during the last two-and-half years.

"A League Cup Final appearance followed by promotion to the Premiership for the very first time, achieved as winners of the Championship, allowed the club a move back to this elite level after a 51-year absence.

"I have enjoyed my time immensely at this fine club, in this great city, and throughout I've always attempted to put my own personal stamp on specific areas that I believe to be all-important such as the implementation of a progressive culture as well as a complete professional approach to all aspects of day-to-day management that are required if you are to become a top club - and more importantly to remain as one.

"I would like to thank my players, all of my direct footballing staff, all the people behind the scenes at the club and most importantly the people of Cardiff, who have stood behind me resolutely throughout my time here and especially in these recent turbulent months.

"I leave with my head held high having gained a level of experience that, upon reflection, I suspect would have been difficult to find anywhere else in British football.

"The foundations laid at Cardiff City FC will provide a solid platform for my successor, and for the sake of the club, I hope that all of the progress that has been made so far will not be impaired in any way by today's enforced changes."

The fan's chairman at Cardiff is also less than pleased...
((HT: BBC News))

OSG Prem: Vincent Tan Buys Into Bosnia, Still May Fire Mackay

((HT: Pro Soccer Talk/Farley))

Okay, the HQ admits to a little blending here...

Farley has come out with a piece where it has been announced that Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan... the same guy who went after Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay for telling people publicly that he wanted to improve his team by bringing in talent in the January transfer window... had apparently decided as far back as September that he was going to invest close to US$2-million into Bosnian soccer champion franchise FK Sarajevo...

From Farley- and it gets better:

According to outlets in Bosnia, Tan will not change the club colors, something he controversially did with his investment in Wales. While Cardiff City has historically worn blue, Tan changed the team’s main color to red, though the team continues to be colloquially referred to as the Bluebirds.

“We have signed an agreement which defines the investment and management rights in accordance to the club’s statute and legislation that is in force in Bosnia,” FK Sarajevo’s general director Dino Selimovic told Reuters, as reported by The Guardian.

Here's what FK Sarajevo and Zeljeznicar- the top two teams in the country's league this year- look like when they play each other


Now, the Cardiff City update...

Chairman Mehmet Dalman has admitted to Sky Sports that there are options that don't involve Mackay if the manager and owner can't get together to hash out their issues. Which is difficult since, according to Mackay, the two haven't met in three months. Mackay has also said that he has tried twice to have "peace talks," but has been shown the hand:

"Every effort that can be made is being made to allow the club to move forward. We will do everything humanly possible to maintain the status quo but if not we will move fast to repair the situation.

"If that means bringing in a new manager, we will, but for the time being, we believe that's premature and we will work together to fix the predicament we're in."

Mackay will not resign and here's the ultimatum...
((HT: Sky Sports))


So, Vincent Tan will spend money in Bosnia, but not in the Premier. He'll change team colors in the Premier, but not in Bosnia.

The HQ understands... completely...

Tan's ownership fits Bosnia perfectly and has no business being in the Premier League...

OSG Prem: Mackay Defiant After Liverpool Loss

((HT: BPL on NBC))

As well he should...

Full disclosure...

The HQ is vested in the Swansea City Supporters Trust, so saying anything in support of Cardiff City is like a Georgia fan saying they like the Gators...

But we have come to full support of current CCFC manager Malky Mackay because, let's face it, he's getting screwed by an owner in Vincent Tan who knows nothing about the sport he's an owner in.

Let's see:

You change the base color of your kit, slapping a hundred years of history, because you want to appease a main sponsor...

You swap out your Director of Player Development, who is well-respected in the business, for a 24-year-old who is a friend of your son's... well, because...and he's not even qualified to have the job...

You slam your manager publicly for saying what every other manager in the Premier League says this time of year because he wants to IMPROVE your club to keep them from relegation...

And, then, you tell him to resign of be fired because of his insolence...

Right...

Vincent Tan is now, officially, worse than Jerry Jones... and about elevendy-billion times dumber...

The fans supported Mackay before the 3-1 loss to Liverpool and want the owner gone...
((HT: BBC News))


Brendan Rodgers was asked about the win post-match...
((HT: BBC Sport))


And the fans supported Mackay even more in a humbling display after the match...
((HT: NBCSports))


When asked about it afterwards in his interview, Mackay wasn't backing down:

"I am someone who will absolutely not resign, I don't think there is any need for that to happen.

"Crystal clear there will be absolutely no way I will be resigning from Cardiff City."

OSG Prem: Mackay Not Quitting At Cardiff, Sacked...??? (UPDATE: Front Office Meeting Tonight)

Despite all that has gone down with Cardiff City's egomaniacal, unintelligent football owner Vincent Tan, it looks like CCFC manager Malky Mackay won't just walk out the door...

Mackay has been given an ultimatum by Tan to either resign or be fired because of what Tan calls "overspending" and by, as Sky Sports says: "... accusing his manager of unfairly raising the expectations of the club's supporters by suggesting he was looking to sign three players in the January transfer window."

Whatever in the blue hell that means...

Mackay missed a Friday morning presser involving this weekend's match with Liverpool, which his assistant David Kerslake took over. Mackay wasn't made available to the media leading to speculation that he has been sacked...

Here's a little of the Kerslake presser


Mackay took Cardiff into the Premier League this season for the first time since 1962. They are currently 15th- four points clear of relegation.

Hull City FC boss Steve Bruce backed Mackay this week, as did Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers yesterday


Word from Talksport is that Tan is meeting with the team chairman this evening (GMT) to discuss Mackay's future. Mackay has boarded the team flight from Wales with other team personnel heading to Liverpool for Saturday's match.

OSG Prem DEVELOPING: AVB Out At Spurs

5-0 losses to Liverpool will do that for you...

This is what happened over the weekend when the Reds absolutely wiped the floor with Spurs...


Andre Villas-Boas sounded like a guy lobbying for his job after the match- which he should have been...
((HT: BBC Sport))


But, today, the club had had enough of the lack of an offense and a porous defense...

"The club can announce that agreement has been reached with head coach, Andre Villas-Boas, for the termination of his services.

"The decision was by mutual consent and in the interests of all parties."

The odds on favorites right now to replace AVB are: former England boss Fabio Capello, now in charge of Russia's National Team, Spurs' current director of football and Capello's assistant at the Football Association, Franco Baldini, former Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle and Swansea manager Michael Laudrup.

Here's the Breaking News...
((HT: SkySportsNews))

OSG Prem: Jol Out At Fulham... Seems Shocked... Plus Others Are Gone...

And, he's not the only one...

After fading at the end of last year, barely staying in the Premier League, and losing five in a row this season Fulham owner Shahid Khan sacked manager Martin Jol...

“Our poor form and results this season are undeniable, and Fulham supporters deserve better,” said Khan in a statement. “With more than half the season still ahead, an immediate change was necessary.”

Rene Meulensteen had been brought in as the number two just recently and now, he has the gig- whether it's temporary or permanent. Odds are, it's the latter unless results change drastically...

Which the HQ doesn't anticipate any time soon...

Here's the interview Meulensteen did with Sky Sports...
((HT: NBCSN))


Not to be outdone, Wigan sacked Owen Coyle after three losses in a nine-day period- all of them at home.

And the next manager on the block could Spurs' Andre Villas-Boas...

A lack of offense and a stagnant squad is causing the vultures to circle...

The players are behind their manager, but they need to improve their results instead of smacking the gums...

OSG Prem: Holloway Gone From Crystal Palace

We have the second casualty of the Premier League season...

Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has a press conference set for later this afternoon and it is looks like Ian Holloway is out at Palace...

You could see the writing on the wall after the 4-1 blowout by Fulham Monday night...

Holloway had a meeting with Parish and more talks were held yesterday. The only team keeping them from being at the bottom of the table is Sunderland after Palace have only won once in nine matches.

Parish, when announcing the Holloway presser already seems resigned to a return to the Championship:

"We've tried to get a squad that can keep us in this division, but also be a very strong squad in the Championship should the worst happen.

"When you go down it's about what state you're in. You have to plan for both eventualities and we'll do our best to stay up. It might be about whether there are three worse teams."

Here's the highlights from the Fulham loss...
((HT: NBC Sports/BPL))


Neil Warnock, Tony Pulis, and Roberto di Matteo are the front three with the bookmakers to succeed Holloway...

Here's the last presser Holloway had with the club...
((HT: SkySports))