Remember Blackburn, things could have been a lot worse

When Paul Ince became the sixth manager to pack his bags this season, Blackburn chairman John Williams cited the “onforgiving environment” of the Premier League as a reason for his departure. With this in mind, The Spoiler has considered the ten managers to whom the top flight has been thoroughly unforgiving - lets hop new Rovers boss Sam Allardyce doesn’t make it on the shortlist any time soon…

Christian Gross - Tottenham (December 1997 - September 1998)
The signs weren’t brilliant when Spurs lost 6-1 to Chelsea in his first game at White Hart Lane. They teetered with relegation in his first season, after which Alan Sugar sent him packing. He managed a total of nine wins in 27 games.

Iain Dowie - Charlton (May - November 2006)
Succeeding Curbs, Dowie didn’t have the easiest act to follow at Chartlon, but faithfully backed in the transfer market following his appointment. While Curbishley was given 15 years at Charlton, his successor was given just 15 games. After 8 losses and 3 draws, Dowie was shown the door with Charlton facing a Premiership relegation battle. Fast forward two years and they are now facing an epic Championship relegation battle.

Alain Perrin - Portsmouth (April - November 2005)
Perrin achieved only four wins in 20 league games for Pompey, including two in the 2005-2006 season which left his team lying in 17th place. He was sacked in November after eight months at the helm.

Mike Walker - Everton (January 1994 - November 1994)
Life with Walker at the helm was never boring. Having got Everton into relegation trouble in his first season, he saved them on the final day of the season as the Toffees came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Wimbledon. After 12 matches without a win and his club bottom of the league, he was sacked the following season after ten months in charge. His replacement Joe Royle showed their poor position wasn’t down to the caliber of players available, as he led them to an FA Cup win in his first season.

Egil Olsen - Wimbledon (June 1999 - May 2000)
Olsen was hired on the back of his achievements as Norway manager

Will he be as successful as Jol or as useless as Santini?

As well as having Chris Hughton and David Pleat (three times!) in as caretaker manager, Spurs have had seven full-time managers prior to Harry Redknapp in the twelve years that Arsene Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal.

Here are how those managers rank in order of points accumulated per league game as well as their league win percentage at the club:

The big question is: how does Redknapp compare with those former Spurs bosses? Give us your prediction with a comment below on where ‘Arry will rank (1-8) on points per game at the end of his White Hart Lane tenure. The answer will probably be revealed on October 25 2009!