by crazyhorse » Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:12 pm
This is an old list, dating back to about April, but here is a list of the most high profile unemployed managers.
Discuss...........
Bernd Schuster
The former Real Madrid boss’ most noted achievement was winning the La Liga title in his first season at the Bernabeu while playing an attractive style of football, much in demand by the fans after succeeding a certain defensive-minded coach in Fabio Capello in July 2007. Two excellent seasons at little known Spanish club Getafe landed Schuster the Real job, but he was on his way out of the Spanish capital come December 2008 and has yet to return.
Mark Hughes
Hughes’s acrimonious exit from Manchester City was widely considered unfair, despite his record of two wins in his last eleven Premier League games. Roberto Mancini has since taken advantage of the foundations left by Hughes and, with a successful four-year spell at Blackburn on his CV, it surely won’t be long until ‘Sparky’ is back in the dugout again. Confirmed on the shortlist for the Ivory Coast position ahead of this summer’s World Cup, Hughes eventually lost out to his predecessor at Eastlands Sven Goran Eriksson.
Jürgen Klinsmann
Known for his infamous ‘dive’ goal celebration as a player, Klinsmann has had mixed results so far in the managerial game. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker was plunged into the spotlight in 2004 after taking charge of the German national side, guiding the host nation to a semi-final in the 2006 World Cup and a third place finish. Pre-tournament criticism turned to acclaim after but Klinsmann handed in his resignation nevertheless. A stint at Bayern Munich in 2008 came to another abrupt end in April 2009 following indifferent league and cup form, but he continues to be touted for other top jobs including the Liverpool post.
Glenn Hoddle
Another fan-favourite at White Hart Lane, Hoddle is more likely to be seen in a TV studio than on the touch line these days but still offers a wealth of experience in the English game. Between 1993 and 2006, the current Sky football pundit managed Chelsea, England, Southampton, Spurs and Wolverhampton Wanderers with mixed results but, after nearly four years out of management, Hoddle was recently linked with a return at West Ham United. Sport.co.uk caught up with the legendary midfielder this week, to read the interview click here.
Marco van Basten
At the end of his playing career in 1995 van Basten said he would never enter management. Nine years later the Dutch footballing legend became coach of his country and in his four year spell reached the last 16 at the 2006 World Cup and a quarter-final exit at UEFA Euro 2008. A year at Ajax followed but failure to qualify for the Champions League lead to van Basten’s resignation. Eleven months out of work is unlikely to continue too much longer.
Alan Curbishley
Curbishley’s 15 seasons at Charlton Athletic remain a blueprint for modest clubs with Premier League aspirations. The former Addicks boss masterminded two promotions to the top tier and, after winning the then Division One title in 2000, ensured they remained there right through to his resignation in 2006. We all know what’s happened since. Curbishley returned to management in December that year with West Ham and helped the Hammers escape impending relegation. He resigned from his post in September 2008 after arguments with the board over transfer policy, and hasn’t been back since.
Kevin Keegan
A man known for his emotional outbursts both as manager of Newcastle and England, Keegan too resigned from his second spell at St James’s Park following a fall out with owner Mike Ashley. Although Keegan’s return to Newcastle was not as successful as his first when in 1995-96 they were beaten to the Premier League title on the final day, his record as a club manager is still fairly impressive with promotions to the top flight with both Fulham and Manchester City.
Michael Laudrup
At 45, Laudrup already has nine years of coaching experience to call upon. In four seasons at Brondby, Laudrup won the Danish Cup in his first campaign as well as a league and cup double in 2005. Having made a name for himself at Barcelona as a player, Laudrup returned to Spain in 2007 to succeed Schuster at Getafe and lead them to a Copa del Rey final and the last eight in the UEFA Cup. Resigning for a short-lived tenure at Spartak Moscow proved less fruitful, but Laudrup is still considered a top young manager.
Steve Coppell
Coppell’s name, especially compared to many others in this list, hardly sets the world alight. Yet four spells at Crystal Palace between 1984 and 2000 saw the Eagles reach the FA Cup final, third place in the top tier and a play-off success to secure promotion to the Premier League. Coppell’s six years at Reading were also impressive with a Division One Championship and an 8th place finish in the top flight the following season. Coppell picked up the Manager of the Year award for both campaigns and, despite relegation in 2008, still has a good reputation throughout the game.
Phil Brown
Brown is more than just a football manager: he saves suicidal women from jumping off bridges and sings - badly - to large crowds. Such an all-rounder is surely worth a mention considering Brown probably thinks he should be and in three years at Hull he did do a good job. First saving the Tigers from relegation in 2007, the following season saw Brown take them into the Premier League via the Play-offs. Hull stayed up on the last day in the 2008-09 season too, sparking scenes of jubilation and shocking ‘harmonies’ from their manager. ‘Gardening leave’ does not seem appropriate for the man - even if he can top up on his tan - so expect some club to take a punt soon.
Bit of a motley crew, but gives us something different to discuss!