Another month has flown by and the Sack Race takes the opportunity to look at five managers from the Premier League and Football League who have endured a September to forget.
The second month of the season saw three managers sacked in the space of just six days. AFC Wimbledon kicked-off proceedings on the 19th when Terry Brown’s five year reign at Kingsmeadow came to a sudden end. Three days later Wycombe Wanderers gave Gary Waddock the boot, with Colchester's John Ward departing on the 24th.
The month ended in dramatic fashion with the conclusion of one of the most controversial manager sagas in recent years, with Steve Kean finally packing his bags and leaving Blackburn Rovers.
Take a look at our five contenders for September's “Naffest Gaffer Award" - an alternative to the traditional "Manager of the Month" - which is handed to the most bungling manager of the month.
Dave Jones - Sheffield Wednesday
The season started swimmingly for Championship new boys Sheffield Wednesday who ended August with seven points from their opening three matches, plus two Capital One Cup wins. However, their bubble has most certainly burst after suffering six consecutive defeats in September. Owls manager Dave Jones now has his work cut out to put a halt to the slump; otherwise his days at Hillsborough could well be numbered.
Mark Robson - Barnet
It was always going to be a big ask for the relatively inexperienced Mark Robson to spark a revival at Barnet. The League Two side have endured a rotten season, including an absolutely woeful September, where they have picked up just a single point.
With nine matches played the table doesn’t make good reading for the Bees, who are rock bottom and still searching for their first win of the campaign. The board are expected to give Robson some time to shine but repeat results such as the 3-0 defeat to Bradford will be difficult to stomach.
Darren Ferguson - Peterborough United
Heading into Saturday’s match away to Hull the pressure on Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson was immense, having failed to register any points on the board so far this season. However, the much-needed win may just have given the Scot a lifeline.
Overall Posh have endured a miserable September, losing four of their five matches, which keeps them rooted to the bottom of the Championship. Having sacked Ferguson before - only to openly admit he made a big mistake - Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony is reluctant to axe him again. But if the club fail to move on from their recent win then he will be left with no choice.
Brendan Rodgers - Liverpool
Similarly to Darren Ferguson the pressure has eased ever so slightly on Liverpool gaffer Brendan Rodgers, who on Saturday ended the month on a high note by leading his side to a comprehensive 5-2 win at Norwich City. However, there is no hiding from the fact that this has been the Reds worst start to a season in over 100 years.
Yes, the fixture list was unkind and yes, it will take some time for Rodgers' fresh approach to work. But, as the saying goes, football is a results driven business and Liverpool's results have been well below-par. Anfield was once a fortress meaning early defeats at home to rivals Arsenal and Man Utd would have been hard to take.
Paul Jewell - Ipswich Town
Paul Jewell has been under-fire for seemingly an eternity and a shocking September has done nothing to ease the pressure on his shoulders. Ipswich’s draw away to Barnsley on Saturday meant that they failed to win a single match in what was yet another poor month. Their miserable form follows on from a poor end to last season, with the Tractor Boys now with only two wins from their previous 14 Championship matches.
To his credit Jewell has refused to quit and is determined to fight on and orchestrate a revival. He has, however, been troubled by speculation over his future, with the rumour mill recently linking Harry Redknapp with a surprise move to the club.
Do you agree with our five shortlisted managers for the Naffest Gaffer of the month, or are there any other contenders worthy of a mention? Get involved in the action by leaving your comments below and don’t forget to cast your vote on our Facebook poll at facebook.com/thesackrace.
