Will Arsenal bend to fan power and sack manager Arsene Wenger? Only time will tell…
The pressure on under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger continued to mount last weekend, when the Gunners suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at Stoke, and the pressure was on for the North London giants to return to form in the Champions League on Tuesday.
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Reports on BBC Sport confirm that Wenger was jeered when he boarded a train after Saturday’s loss, with his team now sixth in the Premier League table, 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
“We have to cope with that criticism,” responded Wenger. “I am a competitive person. What is important is the next game and responding in a strong way. You cannot always look for excuses. We are down. Everyone feels it.”
Wenger is far and away the longest serving manager in the Premier League, having been with Arsenal since 1996. But having delivered just one trophy in nine years, the pressure on the Frenchman to deliver is intense.
Will he survive the barrage of abuse from fans? Or will the ‘Wenger Out’ brigade get their way. Here are ten managers that have faced a battle with their own supporters: some managed to turn things around, others did not.
David Moyes (Manchester United) – SACKED!
Being the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be an impossible task. The former Everton boss was well liked when he arrived at Old Trafford, and it was hoped he would continue their success. But after 15 defeats in 51 games and one very infamous plane, he was sacked in April of this year.
Sam Allardyce (West Ham United) – SURVIVED!
Many pundits predicted that the Hammers boss would be the first manager to depart this season, after appearing to hang on to his job by the skin of his teeth earlier this year. In reality, Allardyce has led the Hammers to fourth in the table, with just four defeats from their first 15 games.
Alex McLeish (Aston Villa) – SACKED!
Moving from Birmingham to Villa was never going to be accepted, and McLeish was under pressure from day one. When results also took a turn for the worse, the pressure quickly mounted. He was sacked in May 2012 after just nine wins from his 42 games in charge, and less than a year in the job.
Alan Pardew (Newcastle United) – SURVIVED!
In mid-September, Newcastle were bottom of the Premier League without a win all year. They were still in the relegation zone until late October, when their extraordinary revival began. Just one win in nine games has lifted them to a highly respectable seventh place in the table, while last weekend they ended Chelsea’s unbeaten run.
Gary Megson (Bolton Wanderers) – SACKED!
Megson won 27 of his 98 games in charge, and was finally put out of his misery in December 2009. Bolton went on to survive the season, finishing in a comfortable 14th place in the Premier League under Owen Coyle, who had taken over with the team in the relegation zone.
Paul Lambert (Aston Villa) – SURVIVED!
It looked at times last season, as if it was only a matter of time for the Scot. However, he eventually led them to Premier League survival, and was rewarded with a new contract. He’s undergone tough times again this season, after what was an impressive start – but Villa fans seem to be patient for now.
Mark Hughes (Manchester City) – SACKED!
Hughes simply failed to deliver what Manchester City wanted, and was promptly sacked in 2009 – much to his frustration. He was replaced by Roberto Mancini, who would go on to lead City to the FA Cup and their maiden Premier League title. Hughes won 36 of his 77 games in charge.
Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) – SURVIVED!
Was another favourite to go this year after a difficult start to the season, but a couple of decent wins, a draw with Manchester City and several improved performances have lifted Rangers out of the relegation zone and seemingly stabilised their managers position.
Steve Kean (Blackburn Rovers) – SACKED!
Was Steve Kean ever wanted at Blackburn? He did in fact win 21 of his 74 games in charge, but did take Rovers down in 2012, before being sacked that September, despite the club starting well in the Championship. Now managing Brunei Darussalam, officially the 198th best national team in the world.
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) – SURVIVED?
What more can be said about Arsene Wenger? Would he jump before he was pushed? Would the owners dare sack a man who has brought the club so much success and stability, even in recent years – with 15 consecutive years in the Champions League knockout stages. His future is definitely one of the most intriguing elements of this season.
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