Former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson on November 21, 2006:
“I will also be continuing talks with Alan Pardew on how he sees the future on the playing side. This is very much his domain and he has my full confidence and support.”
December 11, 2006: Pardew is sacked
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan on May 14, 2007:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome [Chris Hutchings] as manager and give him my assurance that he will have my full and total backing as we seek to stay in the Premiership for a fourth season and keep establishing this club in the best league in the world.”
November 5, 2007: Hutchings is sacked
Newcastle chairman Chris Mort on November 26, 2007:
“Sam [Allardyce] is a very experienced manager, and I am sure he will work hard with his coaching team to turn the team around. He is working hard to get his best team, and how they can work together in the best way.”
Boro and B’ham head honchos inspire debate via slanging match
The powers-that-be at Middlesbrough and Birmingham have been having a bit of a ding-dong of late. First, Birmingham chairman David Gold said that it was better to experience constant promotion and relegation than to float around mid-table like Middlesbrough. Yet now, Boro’s chief executive Keith Lamb has responded.
“I seriously doubt Boro fans would swap our recent histories. Since moving to the Riverside in 1995, we have achieved five major cup finals, are the only English side outside of the so-called big four to have played in a European final, have enjoyed successive seasons of UEFA Cup football, won our first major trophy and enjoyed 11 consecutive years in the Premier League.”
Rumours that he added that his daddy was tougher than Gold’s are unsubstantiated, but nevertheless Lamb raises an important issue for football fans: would you rather enjoy the financial benefits and consistency of mid-table obscurity, or experience the highs and lows of alternating promotion/ relegation campaigns.
Let us know what you think with a vote and comment below…
