The most inevitable P45 of the season arrives at Fratton Park

Prior to this weekend, only one thing was more certain than the fact that Emmanuel Eboue would be rubbish at White Hart Lane, and that is Tony Adams‘ departure from Portsmouth.

After just fifteen weeks in charge, Adams has deftly guided Pompey to the bottom of the form table, and was formally given his marching orders this morning.

According to the club’s official site, director of youth operations Paul Hart (the man sacked by Barnsley and forced out of Nottingham Forest) will become caretaker manager.

Spoiler prophecy of doom: Portsmouth had three permanent managers in 04/05, but should think carefully before repeating this. The other three clubs to do this - Leicester (01/02), Southampton (04/05) and Charlton (06/07) - were duly welcomed to the Championship. 

Newcastle owner told Irishman where to stick it

Unless your name is Kevin Keegan or Mike Ashley, you’ll probably be aware that Stephen Carr has played for Newcastle since 2004. The under-used Irish defender, however, announced retirement from all forms of football earlier this month, following the Magpies’ decision to release him.

If Newcastle fans were worried that Mike Ashley is out of touch with the day-to-day operations at the club, they can take absolutely no solace from the manner in which Carr was dismissed.

Every summer, footballers usually try and negotiate a pay rise, for the loyalty of having hung around another season. Last summer, Mike Ashley was still very enthusiastic about Newcastle, and was handling everything himself, including contract negotiations. A good friend of The Spoiler recently found out how  Carr’s final conversation with the ‘cockney mafia’ ringleader went down:

Stephen Carr: “Hello Mr Ashley.”
Mike Ashley: “Yes”
SC: “I’ve come to speak to you about the annual pay rise.”
MA: “And who are you and what do you do here.”
SC: “Steven Carr, I’m a defender here, Mr Chairman”
MA: “How many winning games did you play in last season?”
SC: “One boss - opening day at Bolton.”
MA: “Go away - you’re sacked. Never ever come back to my club again.”

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

As expected, Blackburn get rid of their manager

In a poll held last week, 51 per cent of Spoiler readers said Paul Ince wouldn’t make it to Christmas at Blackburn, and the slight majority were proved right today as the club let him go after just six months in charge.

Ince left his last job at Franchise FC because of his success, and has argued that he should have had more time to turn things around at Blackburn. After six consecutive defeats, however, Chairman John Williams argued that the club were in danger of “becoming detached from the pack.”

The same names that were touted for the Sunderland job have been mentioned for the opening at Ewood Park: Graeme Souness, Curbs, Sam “somebody please give me a job” Allardyce and Avram Grant. Some have even speculated that Tugay could graduate to the hot seat, or that Mr Analysis Alan Shearer could be given his first managerial role.

We think Alan Curbishley would be well suited to the role - do you agree? Let us know…

[BBC Report]

An artist’s impression of the Keegan/Wise working relationship