Paul Simpson becomes third manager sacked in a day

It's been 'black Tuesday' for managers in the Football League as Paul Simpson has become the third manager in a day to be sacked. Stockport County announced that Simpson has left the club with immediate effect after just three wins from their last 19 games stating that "a change is necessary if the club is to achieve its aims for for this season and beyond."

Simpson only took charge at Edgeley Park in July following the club's relegation to League Two, however, just five wins from 23 games during his tenure sees the Hatters obviously languishing too close to the relegation zone for the board's liking and they felt it necessary to act and have put Peter Ward, who made over 140 appearances for the club between 1991 and 1995, in temporary charge of first team affairs and have promised fans that new players will also be incoming during the January transfer window.

The news condemns Paul Simpson to his third sacking as a manger in little over two years after what had looked like such a promising career in football management. The former Manchester City and Derby County midfielder had guided Carlisle United to back to back promotions from the Football Conference to League One between 2003 and 2006, before the lure of Championship football saw him move to Preston North End. After less than 18 months in charge at Deepdale, Simpson was fired with the Lilywhites in the relegation zone.

Shrewsbury were quick to offer Simpson another chance in League Two given his experience at that level but failure to guide the Shrews to promotion saw him relieved of his duties at the New Meadow in April last year before his appointment at Stockport in the Summer.

In the meantime, Skybet has installed Ward as the favourite to succeed Simpson on a full time basis at County with former boss, Jim Gannon and Dave Penney also seemingly in the running.

Next Stockport County manager Betting

Pater Ward Evs
Jim Gannon 4/1
Dave Penney 5/1
Brian Laws 12/1
Andy Preece 12/1
Darren Ferguson 14/1
Mark McGhee 14/1
Dean Holdsworth 14/1
Steve Staunton 16/1
George Burley 16/1
Mike Newell 20/1
Paul Jones 20/1
Andy Tillson 25/1
Brian Little 25/1
Keith Curle 33/1

Odds courtesy of Skybet, correct as of 4/1/2011