Pardew and Coaching Staff Sacked.

[Whitey Grandad]

As Daren W has said, it's the timing of the decision that I cannot understand. If Cortese and Pardew couldn't work together then the end of last season was the correct time to do it. Doing it now, at the end of the transfer window and after a reasonable start invites the obvious conclusion that the sad death of Markus has enabled Cortese to get his way.

[Guan 2.0]

Hmm, not sure on this one. While at times we looked like playing good passing football, we too often struggled against ordinary sides.

 

While this may be the 'disaster that costs us the season' as some are claiming, I'll wait a while to comment in full, as this may be in hindsight the move that secures promotion, runaway success etc.

 

But we'll have to wait and see not only who is appointed, but the results that they accrue despite any 'reputation', before judgement is passed.

 

But serious LOLgasm at the result before the announcement. You'd have thought that Some of our dearly departed owners Swiss timing would have rubbed off on him.

[mulletsaint]

Appalling timing with only two days of the transfer window left. Sheer idiocy. Either give him time or get him out pre-season. I am rather underwhelmed with most of the new candidates listed on various websites. Zola? Do me a favour.

[RedWillie]

anyone for Kev Keegan? Just outscore the opposition and were laughing...!!!

[krissyboy31]

Like this post.

 

Getting more and more comfortable with this decision with every passing moment.

 

So long as his replacement is good.

This is the crux as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't personally have got rid of Pardew *****il the next transfer window, if no progress had been made) but AS LONG AS we get someone better and we get promotion, then it will have been the correct decision.

[Victor]

Have a word with yourself

 

I have two for you - Ted Bates.

[sadoldgit]

Cortese has now made a rod for his own back. Whereas progress and results were down to Pardew, if they do not improve significantly then it will be Cortese getting stick and not the new guy. I hope he knows what he is doing. Decisions to date do not fill me with confidence.

[TheClothCat]

OMGWTF. And the silliest, most badly timed manager sacking award of the decade award goes to....

[ericb]

Doesn't this decision (whether it is right or wrong) show that not only is the money still there but the long term desire to see success is still with the Liebherr family (and NC). If there was no passion for the future then you would just let things run there course under AP

 

I don't think the passion isn't there still, it's the patience i'm worried about. The continual turn over of managers without time to bed, especially if they just come short of NC's standards (rather than the rest of those associated to the club), the potential pr disaster that could happen as a result (and i'm waiting to see the hatchet job the murdoch press does on us tomorrow) all could build up to an early exit for our beneficiaries

[RedAndWhite91]

Not ****ing happy either way.

 

Alan Pardew is the second most mentioned thing on Twitter in the UK at the moment, and an interesting point from journo Jacqui Oatley on twitter - "A former England player told me that Alan Pardew was the best manager he'd ever had (he'd played under some v big names)."

 

What I'm worried about is any potential future managers, who'll step back and think 'hold on, Pardew was sacked 3 games into the season after a 4-0 away win'. I don't know what sort of manager we'll attract now, hopefully not some League Two mildly successful at that level manager who hardly anyone has ever heard of before.

 

I don't know what is going on behind the scenes but managerial instability is one of the causes of this League One mess and that is something we do not need right now.

[Wes Tender]

-

 

Are you for real? Trust? Reserve judgement by all means - But Trust?

 

Yes, why not? Nobody knows who is lined up to take Pardew's place. NC has done nothing so far to for me not to trust him. Managers come and go and if somebody comes in who is considered to be a better manager than AP, then a lot of people on here who are wetting themselves over his dismissal are the ones who are going to have egg all over their faces. The more sensible posters are those who consider the possibility that by the end of the season we might quite conceivably be congratulating NC for having the guts to take ruthless decisions against the knee-jerk reactions of the fanbase in pursuit of the club's success and return to the promised land.

 

We'll have to wait and see, but those who make up their minds at this stage, based on nothing in particular are obviously idiots.

[alpine_saint]

OMGWTF. And the silliest, most badly timed manager sacking award of the decade award goes to....

 

Would you have felt that if we had lost to Rovers ?

 

Anyone deciding that this was a mistake based on the Rovers result is a fool

[m4ttdog]

I really think this pushes us back with regards to promotion this season, but at the same time, i think we fell short of expectations last season by not picking up points where we should have, more often than our big wins. With the squad and facilities available we should have been promoted

 

I'd rather we have a good manager in place that we can trust to get us not only through league one, but through the championship

[Mark]

Surprised at the timing but not the decision. Too many draws last season and failing to beat Orient probably rubber stamped AP's exit. Sad to see him go. Assume Cortese has someone lined up

[Whitey Grandad]

Would you have felt that if we had lost to Rovers ?

 

Anyone deciding that this was a mistake based on the Rovers result is a fool

 

I did not read that as referring to the Rovers result, rather the fact that we have lost all pre-season and probably any prospect of new transfers. Additionally, we have brought in players over the closed season that any new manager might not rate. If this was the correct decision then the end of last season was the correct time to take it.

[sperm_john]

Am I the only one who's actually got a bit of faith in the mad b4stard that is cortese???

[TheClothCat]

I did not read that as referring to the Rovers result, rather the fact that we have lost all pre-season and probably any prospect of new transfers. Additionally, we have brought in players over the closed season that any new manager might not rate. If this was the correct decision then the end of last season was the correct time to take it.

 

Correct all fronts Whitey Grandad. Nothing to to do with Rovers.

[up and away]

As Daren W has said, it's the timing of the decision that I cannot understand. If Cortese and Pardew couldn't work together then the end of last season was the correct time to do it. Doing it now, at the end of the transfer window and after a reasonable start invites the obvious conclusion that the sad death of Markus has enabled Cortese to get his way.

 

The OS statement fully accepts that the timing could not be at a worse time and goes on to state the decision has not been taken lightly. So it's pretty certain that this has all been weighed in the decision to get rid of Pardew. The belief that this gives any credence to FF's post is ridiculous, Cortese would never picked such a damaging time to do this deliberately, all the intentions were for Pardew to stay. Something has happened recently, something major that makes Cortese believe that he cannot work with Pardew even in the short term. And as Cortese had total say when Markus was here, there is absolutely no justification in stating it's any different after his death. In fact the opposite could be said as I am unsure how much involvement Cortese has had with the remainder of the family.

 

The statement on the OS is categoric, they know this is not a good time or that changing managers help promotion. This has not been taken lightly and done so with all these considerations. If Cortese even guessed this was a situation that would raise it's head at this particular time, Pardew would have gone long before the start of this season.

[waggy]

As Daren W has said, it's the timing of the decision that I cannot understand. If Cortese and Pardew couldn't work together then the end of last season was the correct time to do it. Doing it now, at the end of the transfer window and after a reasonable start invites the obvious conclusion that the sad death of Markus has enabled Cortese to get his way.

As has already been discussed on here at length on several other threads, AP has been a dead man walking since the back end of last season. I believe that the timing, whilst on the surface appearing bizarre, has more to do with the incumbent than APs current performance. I think it was Duncan that broke the news/rumour that NC & AP's relationship was far from rosy and that it was a question of when, not if AP was sacked. The new guy has been scoped, become available, briefed, dotted the i's and x the t's. The bookies will have a field day for a couple of days and then when NC is ready he will drop the next bomb.

[Burger]

Am I the only one who's actually got a bit of faith in the mad b4stard that is cortese???

 

no you're not

[solentstars]

Cortese has lost the plot ,pardew was a good manager and he should have waited till christmas to see how we were doing,back to the bad old days of sacking managers .

so much for long term planning and stability.

looks like we have alowe clone in charge again,he who must be obeyed.

[waggy]

Am I the only one who's actually got a bit of faith in the mad b4stard that is cortese???

 

I'm with you spunky

[solentstars]

As has already been discussed on here at length on several other threads, AP has been a dead man walking since the back end of last season. I believe that the timing, whilst on the surface appearing bizarre, has more to do with the incumbent than APs current performance. I think it was Duncan that broke the news/rumour that NC & AP's relationship was far from rosy and that it was a question of when, not if AP was sacked. The new guy has been scoped, become available, briefed, dotted the i's and x the t's. The bookies will have a field day for a couple of days and then when NC is ready he will drop the next bomb.

 

agreed another scoop for duncan.

[.comsaint]

Am I the only one who's actually got a bit of faith in the mad b4stard that is cortese???

 

No!

 

We had a pretty crap pre-season tour of Switzerland & local games nearer home...which carried over to the Plymouth game & Orient game. The way MK Dons are going, we'd probably have gotten a draw at best there too!

 

In Cortese we trust!

[corky morris]

I am just awake in sunny Florida. I was texted this morning & am very disapointed. I dont understand the timing or the decision. With this & the photo issue recently NC is worrying me.

Good luck AP - Thanks for the memories>

[View From The Top]

Am I the only one who's actually got a bit of faith in the mad b4stard that is cortese???

 

No, you're not.

[RedAndWhite91]

Aston Villa fans on twitter saying they could do a lot worse than Pardew. Not good enough for League One but seemingly good enough for Premier League!

[Gingeletiss]

Like everyone, I was initially shocked by the announcement on the SSN ticker-tape, but then after a few minutes and particularly after reading the whole statement, it all made a bit more sense.

It's a pragmatic, business decision, made with the future structure and success of SFC in mind and it is in line with the 5 year plan.

Are we any closer to promotion than last season...no

Do we look like champions...no

Is there a distinct style of football being played that separates us from others in the league ...no

Can I see the influence of AP on the team, making tactical changes when the game is going against us ....no

Would I be confident that if we were promoted, he'd have the nous to manage a promotion out of the championship ....no

What we do have is an expensively assembled ( L1 stds) squad that should win games, playing well most of the time, but then again I can't help but feel that it's because of the individual players and not the management of those players.

AP is a nice guy, a good manager at this level, but not the guy to take SFC to the levels that ML/NC envisaged.

Forget the media ( SSN / Talks**t ) phrases perpetuated by ex pros and look at this from a cold hard pragmatic basis. Forget all of the normal football management/ownership standards and models. There is a plan. It's not on track.

Taking the emotions out of it, I'm happy that we have someone that determined to achieve something that they are prepared to make decisions regardless of how they might personally be perceived.

I might be wrong, but I'm prepared to buy into this different way of doing things.

The appointment will tell us so much about the immediate and mid term future of this great club. AP is a good manager, but not a great manager. I thank him for the day out at Wembly, but I feel that he was appointed through necessity, when the takeover was ( thank Markus ) completed at the 11th hour.

 

One very positive thing that everyone should take from this, is that AP would still be in place if the plan was no longer viable and therefore we should assume that future financing is secure.

With all that in mind, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the new man isn't MON or an overseas coach used to the proposed structure.

Whatever the decision, I love this club and will still be there at every home game ( as I have done for the last 35 years )

COYS

WIFM

 

I have now had a sleep after nights, and see things with a clearer head. A lot of knee jerk reactions on here to date, but IMHO, the above sums it up. Well said sir.

[The boy done well]

You can't help but go back to NC's comments in the summer about developing an exciting way of playing that could be called the "southampton style" or words to that effect. As one who's been around a while this conjured up thoughts for me of the halcyon days under Ted Bates, Lawrie Mac, Alan Ball (for a year) and for a time Gordon Strachan.

 

I never really felt that way about AP's style of football-always too narrow, not a lot of pace and loads of hoofball. A bit tactically inept and very hard to watch at times too. We have had some good games-on Saturday I thought we were great as we were at home to Huddersfield last season. But, equally, we've had loads of games when we were real dross. Away games at Exeter, Brentford and Wycombe were embarrassing for a team blessed with such quality players for this league. How many times have we gone one up only for the opposition to equalise within 5 minutes and close up the game anf for us to lose our way completely after that. Orient wasn't a one off. Plymouth was the same though we didn't even manage to score that time.

 

A lot on here seem to be wearing rose-tinted glasses as regards AP but in reality, with the odd exception, were our performances and the quality of our football really to the standard one would expect for a team with the sort of investment in players we've had and could it really be said with any confidence that we were definitely on course for automatic promotion. I liked AP's honesty with the media and I think we may have made it this year but it may have been in spite of him-not because of him. This may have been the way West Ham's fans felt the year he got them up to The Prem through the play-offs when they were regarded as maybe having the best team.

[SaintBobby]

Timing very strange. But I am not that upset or even surprised by the decision. I wonder whether there has been a fallout over transfers. I have been told that AP was the block on some moves, i.e. the problem has not been lack of cash but AP been very particular. I wouldn't be surprised if we do now sign a player or two before the window shuts, even though it seems mad to do so without a manager.

 

I imagine a lot of the problem has been a bad working relationship. But I hope it is really about ambition. I am reserving judgement until I know who the new manager is. If it is Martin O'Neill, that would be amazing...but does sound far fetched.

 

I expect a foreign coach. Of all plausible options, I'd say Poyet is my first choice.

 

I think promotion is now more likely than it was 24 hours ago, but this is obviously a high risk move. Let's hope it's high reward too.

[Whitey Grandad]

The OS statement fully accepts that the timing could not be at a worse time and goes on to state the decision has not been taken lightly. So it's pretty certain that this has all been weighed in the decision to get rid of Pardew. The belief that this gives any credence to FF's post is ridiculous, Cortese would never picked such a damaging time to do this deliberately, all the intentions were for Pardew to stay. Something has happened recently, something major that makes Cortese believe that he cannot work with Pardew even in the short term. And as Cortese had total say when Markus was here, there is absolutely no justification in stating it's any different after his death. In fact the opposite could be said as I am unsure how much involvement Cortese has had with the remainder of the family.

 

The statement on the OS is categoric, they know this is not a good time or that changing managers help promotion. This has not been taken lightly and done so with all these considerations. If Cortese even guessed this was a situation that would raise it's head at this particular time, Pardew would have gone long before the start of this season.

Hmmm, then it all points to a decision taken at short notice, something in the heat of the moment, something that has been brewing up for several months. I suppose the delay until the next appointment will give us some indication of the amount of premeditation.

[SW11_Saint]

Well Cortese has to deliver now.

He obviously thinks he can do better than Pardew, now he has to put his money where his mouth is and quickly.

 

if he lets this drift it could derail our entire season.

 

I think it is a bizarre decision, the timing is absolutely appalling. Just when it seems weve got some momentum going this happens. Cortese better have a good replacement lined up. If Cortese fails to deliver in his new appointment this decision could haunt us for years.

 

Anyway big thanks to AP and his staff for all theyve done and assembling our current squad and turning us into a big force in League 1.

 

Exactly right.

[docker-p]

In Cortese we (I) trust

 

You might mate, but I certainly don't.

Just another in an already long line up balls ups. I've never been APs greatest fan, I think he's an OK manager with an OK record, so may be NC does have a spectacular new manager lined up. But if he has, how long will he get to do a job, six months ?

I would rather have kept AP and lost NC.

[Saint Without a Halo]

 

Cortese did not clearly communicate to Pardew last season that the League was to take priority over all cup games. Consequently we wasted effort on the cups and failed to get into the playoffs. Pardew also failed to understand that the day at Wembley was a diversion that contributed to him losing his job today.

 

Ahhhhh so the decison was timed to lose the Swindon game then! (only joking)

[carljack]

You are implying that this decision was a temper-tantrum from NC. I cant beleive he has come so far in business by making decisions like this.

 

not implying anything alps,a earlier post said they had words before Saturdays ko,I really do not have a view other than if this decision was made in haste we are really in the S@ite.

[Wes Tender]

Not a problem Wes, and it's welcome that you, unlike others, can vehemently disagree with me without getting personal or rude and offhand...

 

But I disagree, with the transfer window about to close and just 3 games into the season, the sacking is pure, unadulterated folly...

 

It proves that the rumours abounding from St Marys at the tail end of last season were right and Cortese wanted Pardew out were right. The timing means that any manager has to start from scratch and yet again the New Year transfer window will be relied on for that impetus to force us away from the promotion pack. I has thrown the whole season into chaos and we are starting again. That's not hearsay or theory Wes, it's a fact. The club is, in terms of management, in chaos. We are starting from scratch... again...

 

You're right in saying that a good appointment will appease us all and we'll all forget about Alan Pardew if the new man is real head turner but it doesn't detract from the fact that this is a disastrous decision. Finally hitting our stride, we sack the manager. The timing is shocking.

 

Had this been Lowe Wes, you would had been fiercely critical. You can't excuse a bad decision based on who made it...

 

Starting from the end of your post first:-

Lowe's record on managers was that because we were a pauper club, he did not allow managers the funds to buy the players who might have made a difference, or we needed to sell the players who would have made a difference. You see, the problem is that whereas you are correct that you can't excuse a bad decision based on who made it, it is pure conjecture as to whether this is a bad decision.

 

The timing might have been forced on Cortese because of the death of ML, or something might have happened within the squad within the past day or so, or somebody Cortese wanted might just have become available - we don't know, so useless speculating until something concrete becomes known. But to state that the timing is a disaster that will ruin the season is totally over the top. It has already been pointed out that Norwich sacked their manager at a similar stage of the season and went up as champions. There have been too many instances of managers taking over teams during the season and a transformation in their fortunes ensuing. So, the transfer window is due to close. So what? We are still able to take on loans and most had agreed that bar a little fine-tuning, the squad was pretty well complete.

 

Talk about the season being thrown into disarray and chaos and having to start again is frankly hysterical. Let's see who we appoint. Personally I'd consider Curbishley a good appointment, but according to most on here, O'Neill would be a fantastic coup, but improbable. So what if we did get O'Neill? Would he be incapable of sorting out this chaos that has been left by Pardew's departure and inspiring the squad? I don't think he would find it much of a problem.

[Smirking_Saint]

Right decision but bad timing IMO.

 

Pardew clearly wasn't backed, and he f*cked up last season by falling short after asking for extra funds. He is tactically unispiring also.

 

But why oh why didn't NC just stick to his guns at the end of the season and get shot ? He would have got grief from fans etc but would be ok again now and the new man could have signed who he wanted etc for this season.

 

Honestly i wouldn't be surprised if Pardew had completely lost interest but refused to walk, thats my take on the goings on. In which case i am glad it is done, NC really needs to deliver a top manager now, if only to appease our big stars.

[docker-p]

Am I the only one who's actually got a bit of faith in the mad b4stard that is cortese???

 

Alas no it seems.

Nicolas fan club is not for turning.

[red&white56]

Feeling very confused and concerned. Was it that only with Markus' untimely passing that NC had the power to sack AP???

 

The timing of this doesn't feel good - this should have been done at the end of last season or at Christmas if we were not performing.

 

The way things are it doesn't feel as if Pardew has been given a fair chance and enough time to prove he's the man for the job or not.

 

As others have said, this feels like a Man City type of move, not a SFC action.

 

I just hope the squad go out against Swindon and WIFM!!

Edited 30 August, 2010 by red&white56
Corrected AP initials !

[SW11_Saint]

Aston Villa fans on twitter saying they could do a lot worse than Pardew. Not good enough for League One but seemingly good enough for Premier League!

And I'd really love him to get that job and do well. Whatever people felt about him, I doubt anyone would wish him ill. He'll certainly get a good reception from me if/when he next brings a team to SMS.

[Norm]

I met my 'contact' earlier today and he informed me that he was told Saturday lunch time to prepare for news on AP, regardless on the result at Bristol. It seems that AP and NC could not agree on the way forward.

 

Word is, Shearer. I have no idea if true.

[buctootim]

This is a maasive decision for NC to make. He is almost in a no win situation. If we go up it will be based on APs work, if we don't.....then NC will be the reason for failure.

 

I don't believe NC is stupid, so I can only assume that he sees major issues in what is happening off the pitch that he believes will effect the long term success.

 

I was never a big AP fan. I reckon most managers would have achieved at least what AP did given the resources he had, but I do believe he would have taken us up this year. So my big issue is the timing of this decision. It can only harm our prospects this year.

 

NC must have considered this and still thought that it was right.

 

Agree totally with this.

[carljack]

Shearer! Shearer! Shearer!

[torsaint]

I have a strong feeling on the basis of no evidence whatsoever that we may be totally underwhelmed by the new appointment. 3 defeats thereafter and we will be totally united about the incompetence at the top. Nigel Pearson anyone?

[alpine_saint]

I did not read that as referring to the Rovers result, rather the fact that we have lost all pre-season and probably any prospect of new transfers. Additionally, we have brought in players over the closed season that any new manager might not rate. If this was the correct decision then the end of last season was the correct time to take it.

 

I think that is clear, but somehow NC was convinced to give AP more time. After the awful pre-season and season start it is clear he feels that time has run out and he must act, whatever the disruption or inconvenience.

[Smirking_Saint]

I still reckon Pardew had clearly had enough and lost motivation but refused to walk.

 

No point keeping someone in a job who is not commited.

[alpine_saint]

Nigel Pearson anyone?

 

If his weekend "falling ill" thing was really something else going on, and he turned up back at Saints, I'd be happy with that.

[St Marco]

while it is sad pardew has gone i can't say I'm surprised. We all knew the board were unhappy about not getting to the playoffs after releasing the money in the last transfer window.

while the smug claim they told you so if you actually look at recent events they are probably wrong. In my opinion something happened in the past 24 hours or so for this to happen. I think cortese and pardew obviously had some disagreement. With the transfer window closing i would imagine it could of been over a potential signing, maybe cortese didn't want to sanction the transfer. WHat we do know is pardew brought in a player a week ago, meaning everything was ok then. I doubt Cortese would sanction transfers if he was going to sack him.

 

I don't think we have anyone lined up. Whoever comes in will have to use the same players pardew had. They won't have time to bring more in. This means we once again have to go througha getting to know each other phase. Whoever comes in will have to get results instantly or this will make the sacking look even worse.

 

Lots of names being thrown around southgate, coleman, zola, dowie, sven. I don't think any of those will do better then pardew. And because of that we can forget promotion this year.

[rpb]

I still reckon Pardew had clearly had enough and lost motivation but refused to walk.

 

No point keeping someone in a job who is not commited.

 

Nail - head.

[alpine_saint]

I still reckon Pardew had clearly had enough and lost motivation but refused to walk.

 

No point keeping someone in a job who is not commited.

 

If this true, and NC really wanted rid at the end of last season, then you really have to wonder just how bad communication was between them. They should have been able to agree mutual terms for his departure.