#managerial-sackings

#managerial-sackings

There have been a number of stunning managerial changes in recent weeks -- from Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid to Ruben Amorim at Manchester United -- and the cutthroat nature of a career in football management will not be lost on Gary Rowett. The 51-year-old former Derby County, Birmingham City and Leicester City defender was sacked as head coach of Championship side Oxford United just two days before Christmas. The call on Dec. 23 came just over a year after the one that appointed him.

So, when they fired their manager Ruben Amorim earlier this month -- without a replacement lined up -- where were they sitting in the table? It must've been 16th, right? Or, maybe 12th? A tiny bit of progress, but not enough progress for the fourth-richest club in the world, right? When Manchester United fired Ruben Amorim, they were tied for fifth place.

Wolves did not want to make a change, and even leading into the weekend the club's hierarchy was still backing Pereira, but that changed after a disastrous afternoon in west London. Stability and consistency was sought but the axe fell on Sunday morning with the club eight points from safety and now looking for a fifth permanent manager in four years.

The Australian is quick to defend his record when his coaching capabilities, successes or failures are called into question. To call on his experience when he feels like he is being disrespected or dismissed for learning the ropes in a football outpost. To turn to the silverware he has collected when there is a suggestion that he is a visitor, an impostor or a charlatan