Magilton joins the managerial casualty list
Ipswich Town delivered to their supporters the very sweetest of victories over their arch rivals Norwich City on Sunday.
Their left Norwich's survival hopes hanging by a thread. Three days later, however, and is still in work while Town manager Jim Magilton is out of a job.
Such is the bizarre world of Football League management.
Most Town fans had come to accept that amiable Irishman Magilton would not be in charge next season. Ipswich owner Marcus Evans is said to be hugely ambitious as well as incredibly wealthy. Flirting with the Championship play-offs while failing to take matters any further may not be his idea of a good time.
Magilton has had money to spend but has not made an impact at the very top of the table. Had the arrived from Tottenham in January and not March it might have made a difference. But he didn't.
Yet to show Magilton the door with just two games of the regular season remaining strikes me as bizarre. Brutal even. If the writing was on the wall why not give him the dignity of taking the campaign to its conclusion and then waving farewell to the supporters when Ipswich entertain Coventry on the final day of the season? After all, this is a man who has given 10 years service to the club as player and then manager.
Who knows, maybe the club have something up their sleeve, a spectacular appointment to turn a few heads and signal their intent. Neil Warnock and Roy Keane have both been mentioned to me.
Magilton's departure comes on the same day as Hereford's Graham Turner announced he would be at the end of the season.
Turner, 61, is the man currently separating Sir Alex Ferguson from Arsene Wenger on - esteemed company indeed for the man who has been in charge at Edgar Street since August 1995.
The Bulls have already been and Turner has most magnanimously fallen on his sword. Turner is also owner, chairman and director of football at Hereford. It rather removes the need to wonder whether he jumped before he was pushed.
Turner will remain at the club in his other capacities - which left me a little bemused to read the following quote from the veteran ex-Wolves, Aston Villa and Shrewsbury boss: "I sincerely hope this will not be my last managerial post."
If Turner does get offered a job elsewhere that would surely cause complications over his role(s) at Hereford. Alternatively, it might just make John Trewick think twice before accepting the promotion he has been offered from first-team coach to manager.
It is also worth pointing out that Turner always faced a very difficult task in keeping the Bulls up. He built his promotion last season by to its very maximum. Some felt it was brilliant management, others an abuse, but nobody could argue it was not successful for a club that operates on a modest budget in a competitive marketplace. He was voted the League Two Manager of the Year by the .
And on top of that it would be wrong not to mention the years of lengthy service Turner has given to Hereford. Perhaps time will tell that now is the right point for him to streamline his roles at the club.
Assuming nobody else gets the bullet over the remaining two weeks of the regular season, Turner will become the 30th managerial departure from a Football League club since the season began last August. There are 72 Football League clubs. I make that 42% of the managers who started the season are no longer at that particular club. Hardly a stable profession.
Last season, according to my rough calculations, 35 managers left the club that employed them.
It makes me wonder - who in their right mind would be a manager?
I spoke to Leeds boss Simon Grayson recently. He readily admitted that without success he, like most managers, could lose his job at any time. Yet he also said that he loved driving into work every morning and putting the hours in to try to achieve great things.
Ambition, drive, a love of the game, a point to prove, a slightly obsessive personality, fatigue with the golf course, a mortgage to pay and a family to raise, a failure to recognise when it is time to go - the list of constituent ingredients of what drives a manager is varied and probably infinite.
Most of the managers I have spoken to during the course of this season insist their mobile phone is never switched off (though it often is when I try to ring). Brentford boss Andy Scott said that his constantly required charging during the January transfer window.
Others have pointed out that they spend an unhealthy chunk of their summer holidays on the phone to agents, chairmen, players and other managers. When the season ends the rebuilding begins in earnest.
Being a manager is a non-stop business, with an increasing number of commitments, media or otherwise, to deal with.
I have yet to meet one who can put a figure on the number of hours he works in a week, while all agree that the business of actually signing a player has become incrementally more complicated.
It is also an extremely precarious position. As the sacking of Magilton goes to show, you can never be sure when you will be given your cards.
There surely must be an easier way to make a living?
Hello, I'm Paul Fletcher and I mainly write about life in the Football League. I have a great enthusiasm for a whole range of sports and love to spread the word about the great game of rugby league. You can also follow me on .
Comment number 1.
At 22nd Apr 2009, Justin_Johnson wrote:Unfortunately for some time it鈥檚 been patently obvious that under the management of Jim in this season the club are not heading in the right direction. Despite the addition of 12M to spend this season, we actually seem to have regressed rather than progressed and that really is criminal when you see what the likes of Martinez at Swansea has done with very little cash to spend. I think it鈥檚 the right decision and hopefully will mean the club now goes forward rather than standing still
Justin Johnson - Editor, BluesWeb.co.uk
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Comment number 2.
At 22nd Apr 2009, David_Brents_Mentor wrote:Jim can really have no complaints. He has had 3 years, which is a lifetime in management nowadays. Also, as has been mentioned in the previous post, the club has gone backwards in the past 18 months. Its strange really, because before Jim got the 12 million he was actually doing quite well. Its the right decision, but I wish Jim all the best for the future and thank him for his 10+ years of service to the club.
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Comment number 3.
At 22nd Apr 2009, Starfire_99 wrote:I really can't see why Ipswich didn't wait till the end of the season to dispatch Magilton. They could have done so, quietly, during the close season without half the fuss there is right now.
The team could have done worse in a very competitive league.
Also, we all know what can happen if you start chopping and changing the regeime too often. Charlton are off to League 1, Newcastle look likely to wind up in the Championship being fine examples.
Is it any co-incidence that 4 of the 6 (by my reckoning) teams in the EPL who jumped ship with their managers are knee deep in the relegation battle?
Footoball manager = Insanity to me.
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Comment number 4.
At 22nd Apr 2009, dyerscoresbrokenleg wrote:I have a lot of respect for Jim and his connections with the club. However it's obvious that we have stood still this year, when it's been clear how we needed to improve. There's no room for sentiment when the rewards are so great.
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Comment number 5.
At 22nd Apr 2009, IpsRich wrote:You suggest that allowing Jim to bow out at the end of the season would have been kinder; however if we had lost the two remaining games the Town supporters' abiding memory of Jim (the manager) would have been of an entire season of under-achievement and disappointment.
The anti-Jim brigade were rightly subdued against Norwich, focusing on backing the team in the derby rather than slating the manager, but there is no indication this would have continued after a hypothetical defeat at Cardiff or another dour home performance against Coventry.
As it is, Jim's parting managerial memory will be a moral boosting derby victory, ultimately the highlight of a forgettable campaign.
Good luck to Jim but time for a change.
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Comment number 6.
At 22nd Apr 2009, Mitchell Inman wrote:A little harsh on Magilton, perhaps, not to express "every confidence in the manager" after the Norwich game. It would at least have given him time to start looking for a new job.
Instability is always going to be what a football manager's life is about. Consider the many ways he can be a failure: the team gets relegated; the team nearly gets relegated; misses out on the playoffs; gets to the playoffs but doesn't get promoted; misses out on Europe; finishes second in the Premier League (if you're Chelsea) and loses in the final of the Champions League. Maybe only Sir Alex is truly safe, and only then if he keeps on raking in the trophies.
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Comment number 7.
At 22nd Apr 2009, MC Miker G wrote:Now or end of the season; what difference does it make? The club has just appointed a new Chief Exec and his first job was obviously to change the manager. The club also has season tickets to sell, and the glamour appointment of Roy Keane (who looks like he'll be announced as manager tomorrow) will cause great excitement. Football is a business, after all.
For what it's worth, I fear that Keane will be way too similar to Magilton; over-passionate, under-tactical and over-fond of his own faves within the squad. And WAY more expensive.
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Comment number 8.
At 22nd Apr 2009, MotherofMary wrote:To be honest I just think it leaves a bad taste in the mouth to:
a) sack someone over the phone
b) sack them with just two games left which is a pointless exercise and spiteful in the extreme and
c) sack someone when he's on compassionate leave nursing his sick mother.
At least give the man the opportunity to resign. This smacks of big boy bully tactics and it's wrong. Or maybe I'm just old fashioned.
Anyway from a Barnsley lass, I'm looking forward to meeting the Tractor Boys fans again next year (God willing!), and I'm sure Jim Magilton will be back in management soon.
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Comment number 9.
At 22nd Apr 2009, Alan Sunderland's Perm wrote:Don't understand why the pity?
Reckon 99% of all us bloggers would love to manage a football club for a living! Precarious or not!
Beats working in an office!
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Comment number 10.
At 22nd Apr 2009, Rancid Fish [Somewhere Out East] wrote:See the 606 thread: speculation that Jim may have said "sack me now, not in two games' time" so he can go care for his sick mother.
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Comment number 11.
At 22nd Apr 2009, Marantz wrote:It just shows how far Roy Keane has fallen if Ipswich Town are after him.
Still, remembering Keane the player (Haaland, Ireland WC2002 incident) I can't say that I'm disappointed!
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Comment number 12.
At 22nd Apr 2009, SuperTommySmith wrote:Well you have to think about it, the pre-season isn't enough time for a new manager to judge his team. Two games left is hardly better however it gives him the chance to see what players are fit and able against teams at our level - Cardiff and Coventry.
I also have to agree, we'll remember the 3-2 win and the playing career of Jim, not the disapointing season just past.
Good Luck to Jim and all but it was time.
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Comment number 13.
At 22nd Apr 2009, playbydisk wrote:Well, we haven't performed very well this season at all. I'm gutted for Jim because he was a great player for us and did well as a manager before the takeover.
I absolutely loathe Roy Keane. I hated him as a player and even more so as Sunderland's boss. He's a thug. Fact!
My top choice for manager would have been Alan Curbishley. Kept West Ham up, proved he can keep a team in the Prem with Charlton. What more of a proven track record can you ask for?
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Comment number 14.
At 22nd Apr 2009, abujablue wrote:"It just shows how far Roy Keane has fallen if Ipswich Town are after him."
Robbieo79, being a manager is a lot different to being a player. Championship Ipswich may seem like a long way down for you, but many managers are lucky to get even that. To get a team one step away from the Premiership would be a dream project for most.
On the article: I agree that it was not the best of moments to sack Magilton, but when is it ever? At least he ended his career at Ipswich on an emphatic high (in the eyes of most Ipswich fans, anyway) by beating Norwich in the local derby. He will still be regarded as an Ipswich town legend.
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Comment number 15.
At 22nd Apr 2009, laval74 wrote:This is just another example of a businessman with no knowledge of football or its history showing no respect for the life of a man who has given sterling service to his club or to the supporters who have appreciated his efforts on their behalf. The previous chairman would never have treated him so shabbily....
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Comment number 16.
At 23rd Apr 2009, Christian_Dailly_Religious_Magazine wrote:As a Charlton fan looking on, and down, i'm not surprised Magilton has gone.
Most Championship club owners hope for promotion to the Premier. Clearly at Portman Road it is an expectation.
In the results business that is football, Magilton hasn't delivered what the board wanted.
Hopefully our board of directors will act similarly ASAP, and give Phil Parkinson the boot.
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Comment number 17.
At 23rd Apr 2009, jonnothecitizen wrote:Heh Jim Magilton's Crawley Town just beat my Man City team on FM2009 in the FA Cup final 2019. Dodgy penalty.
Wouldnt that be a twist.
Best wishes to the guy.
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Comment number 18.
At 23rd Apr 2009, R Nair wrote:The list of managers by length of current service on the LMA website is ace isn't it.
I've been using it since at least December 2007 to see what proportion of managers of Premier League and Football League clubs have been in the job for a year or more, and two years or more:
鈥
鈥
鈥 /blogs/paulfletcher/2009/01/the_perils_of_football_league.html
鈥
The figures now are 52 and 32 respectively, largely unchanged.
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Comment number 19.
At 23rd Apr 2009, rockyhorror wrote:Does anyone here know anything about the owner? Marcus Evans yes that's right - he hasn't a notion about football and it's purely a business decision
I'm curious do any of the Ipswich fans know anything about this rebel? I hear reports that he's like a ghostly figure that media haven't been able to even capture of picture of him. I know the company he runs is a conferencing company and he's a bit of a cowboy to say the least
Anyone got any thoughts on this? have they had an experience or encounter with the mystical almighty owner himself?
Feel sorry for town supporters with him running the club
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Comment number 20.
At 23rd Apr 2009, beckettitfc wrote:as a town fan i think magilton went at the right time....the memories town fans will have are of us beatin the naarwich rather than losin against coventry on the last day!!
i have some fond memories of him as a class ipswich player....especially the hat-trick in the play-offs against bolton a few years ago.
best of luck to him in the future...lets see what keano can do!!
Blue Army!!
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Comment number 21.
At 23rd Apr 2009, RenegadeGenius wrote:With all respect everything about Ipswich Town says upper mid-table Championship club. Exactly where they were positioned under Magilton. If Keane lasts more than two years I鈥檒l be shocked, if Ipswich are established in the Premiership in five then I鈥檒l be aghast. The quote 鈥渉e has had 3 years, that鈥檚 a lifetime in football management these days鈥 beggars belief. I imagine you鈥檇 have been someone advocating the sacking of Alex Ferguson or David Moyes for outstaying their welcome then?
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Comment number 22.
At 23rd Apr 2009, rjaggar wrote:It's pretty clear on the Ipswich situation: the owner wanted the new manager in place in time to make his mind up on the current squad and plan for the new season on the Monday morning after the season finishes.
From a business perspective, that's pretty sensible.
Is it, in this day and age, possible for the new man to be lined up yet the current manager to retain his position? No. Satellites, media hounds, bugging mobile phones. There's no way that is possible.
To be fair, the Ipswich manager was given a fair crack of the whip in terms of time. And, according to the standards set, he wasn't up to it. Whether anyone could have been is the key question there. I don't know the answer as it's not a club I follow closely.
I guess Roy Keane will provide the answer over the next 12 months.....and if he is relocating, I guess he must have assurances. To pull children out of school only to be unemployed in Ipswich within 6 months seems a pretty ruthless and unappetizing way to do business, in the absence of gross professional misconduct......
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Comment number 23.
At 23rd Apr 2009, Faz wrote:The timing may be harsh but if the future of the club is the only important thing then by letting Keane assess the squad for a dozen training sessions and a couple of games, with 15 players apparantly out of contract in the summer, it gives a better chance to make an assessment on them, something that Magilton was probably scheduled to do himself this fortnight. In other words for the sake of a couple of weeks you may as well let your new manager make as many of the important decisions on your future as possible. It seems there was a target of the play offs and once it was unreachable it was time to focus on next season.
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Comment number 24.
At 23rd Apr 2009, Clyde_01 wrote:RenegadeGenius wrote:
"With all respect everything about Ipswich Town says upper mid-table Championship club. Exactly where they were positioned under Magilton."
Everything about Hull or Wigan says mid-lower Championship but look where they are. Charlton are not a big club but survived many years as a stable EPL team. Ipswich themselves had a very successful season in the EPL not so long ago. If I was an Ipswich fan I would think there is no reason they can't make it into the EPL.
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Comment number 25.
At 23rd Apr 2009, moblatte wrote:The Keane is back. Long live The Keane. Tractor Boys for the Premiership in 2 seasons, if not next.
The timing says a lot for the club's intentions. The Championship is a tighter bunch of teams than the Premiership is. Upper half of table isn't bad. But football is a lot about business for a while now. All the best, Magilton. Good effort.
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Comment number 26.
At 24th Apr 2009, timmyjimmy wrote:Paul, you write this blog as if we're meant to feel sorry for sacked managers. Most find a new club, if they want one, relatively quickly due to the speed of the managerial merry-go-round. 30 sackings is also 30 new jobs with a relatively small list of available applicants when compared to "normal" jobs. They also nearly always get a very healthy pay off, not bad for getting sacked for not being good at your job.
I wish my job had similar rewards for poor perfomance.
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Comment number 27.
At 24th Apr 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:timjhale - I'm not sure I want you to feel sorry for managers, I just wanted to highlight the instability of their profession. I think what you say about pay-offs and suchlike applies in the Premier League but I doubt whether it would be much in the bottom divisions.
Some get sacked because the job they have done is not good enough but plenty could argue they have gone too early - look at Paulo Sousa, who was sacked after just 26 games.
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Comment number 28.
At 25th Apr 2009, The Flux Capacitor wrote:Wow what a suprise...
All the other clubs with good managers that had money Wolves/Birmingham/Reading/Sheff United/Cardiff wudnt even look in Keanes direction...
Owen Coyle has done a great job at Burnley on a shoe string and Swansea Manager Martinez has done a fantastic job..
Keane gives it "Challenge/ambition all the buzz words...Dont lie roy..Its a club with a decent set up thats just had a cash injection...No wonder you didnt turn it down...
Got Sunderland Promoted..Spent tons..Left cos "He didnt see eye to eye with things"
Well he must of seen 70 millions pounds worth of eye to eye...He'll Spend and Ipswich will do OK
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