The average lifespan of a manager in the Sky Bet Championship is only ten months, much less than half of the average for managers in the top tier. So it’s not a huge surprise that four managers have already left their clubs this season. However, the names of the latest two to depart should pique one’s interest a little: John Eustace at Birmingham City and Gary Rowett at Millwall.
Eustace, a talented young coach, was booted out to make room for Wayne Rooney, with Brum performing far better and in a much healthier position than at any time in recent years. I have nothing against Rooney and his commitment to Derby County was commendable. His results, however, were not, despite an encouraging start, and Derby were relegated having won only one game in 14.
His next managerial stint, at DC United in MSL, was only a little short of disastrous. Perhaps these bruising experiences will help him, but there is scant evidence so far of a strategic mastermind at work, is there?
It all seems rather hard on Eustace, who had transformed the team from perennial contenders for relegation to a half-decent bet for the play-offs. But then, Birmingham City have got themselves a reputation for making truly stupid decisions with regard to managers — something which the other defenestrated manager, Rowett, knows all too well from past experience.
Except that this time, Rowett was not defenestrated, so far as I can tell. His departure was announced last week and came as a surprise to fans, even if the dimmer among them were not overly disappointed. Under the chairmanship of American businessmen the Berylsons — first John and then his son James — Millwall have been extremely circumspect about getting rid of managers when a few sections of the crowd become impatient, and so this was wholly out of character.
Advertisement
For Millwall, stability has been the key, and it has paid off. Under Rowett, Millwall have progressed incrementally year on year and this season’s squad is, on paper, easily the strongest group perhaps since the early 1990s.
It is true that they have not set the Championship alight so far and heavy defeats away to Norwich City and at home to Leeds United and Swansea City got some numbskulls in the crowd baying for blood. Those who dislike Rowett do so because of his supposed over-caution, his defensiveness, his disinclination to attack. “Gary Drawett,” as they say. But this is short-sighted to the point of obtuseness. Any Millwall fan who believes we should be able to glide into the Premier League playing free-flowing, expansive attacking football has been on the sniff a bit too much. Rowett has been an exceptional manager for Millwall, just as he was at Birmingham.
Anyway, Rowett has issued a statement saying it was time to go and the club’s statement implies it was all a consensual decision. I’m not quite sure I buy that. I’ve been told that the club “categorically” did not sack the manager and it is well known that Rowett has been hankering for a job a little closer to his home in the Midlands. I wonder if somewhere near West Bromwich might prove attractive? Exactly one year ago, Rowett was one of the favourites to succeed the sacked Steve Bruce at West Bromwich Albion and it was reported that he found the prospect agreeable. Carlos Corberán got the job, but once again the team are mired in mid-table.
Who next for Millwall? Terrifyingly, our former defender Kevin Muscat has emerged as one of the favourites, despite an almost complete absence of managerial experience in any league of quality. Thuggishness is, obviously, an admirable quality, but not necessarily the most important prerequisite for a manager, even at The Den. It is reported that Millwall have approached Neil Warnock, who is of course hugely adept at this level (and perhaps beyond, had he been given more of a chance). I wouldn’t remotely object to that, nor to the aforementioned Eustace — keep that Championship merry-go-round turning, huh?
Millwall got what was, on paper, a decent point at Preston North End on Saturday, under the caretaker management (once again) of Adam Barrett. I say on paper, because I have the suspicion that Preston are perhaps on the slide after a mysteriously successful start this season, and that the game was rather there for the taking once Zian Flemming had equalised for Millwall.
Advertisement
Unsurprisingly, Millwall still resembled a Rowett side: combative and, after a torrid and slipshod first ten or 15 minutes, well organised and relatively tight at the back. But they squatted on that draw for the entirety of the second half — when there were, I think, richer pickings to be had. More conservatism and caution, then, which I would not be surprised to see continued no matter who takes over at The Den.
Managers come and go — in southeast London less frequently than elsewhere — but that conservatism will remain if Millwall are to continue punching slightly above their weight.
