Stuart Pearce has been sacked as manager of Manchester City. The decision brings to an end the former Nottingham Forest leftback’s association with the club which he took charge of in the year 2005.
City’s disappointing run this season was one reason. Finishing 14th in the table, 4 points from safety and tying with Watford for the least amount of goals scored isn’t probably what the board wanted. To be honest, there was nothing much he could do with the players he had. That though was a situation he brought himself into, bringing in players who never got settled in the Premiership.
Samaras was a huge waste at 6 million, and Corradi, Dabo, Beasley and many of the other recruits weren’t upto the mark. Many a time, City looked like a bunch of eleven individuals playing, rather than a team of the same number. The only City players who wore their heart on their sleeve were Barton, Vassell and Michah Richards. Michael Johnson was also reasonably impressive when given chances to play towards the end of the season.
The ownership of City is expected to change hands, and that will bring in some much needed funds for the new manager. The Derby manager was rumoured to be in the running, although I’m not sure whether he will be associated with the job if the Rams achieve promotion.
Pearce is still England U-21 manager, and he might commit to a long term arrangement with the FA in the future. There were some good moments with City when he was in charge- remember the times with Beany the horse ???