With the EPL season drawing to a close for another year, we thought now would be a good time to look at some of the coaching casualties of the last twelve months.
While the Aussie sporting scene hasn’t been as vicious as their international counterparts, there were some Aussie coaches we said goodbye to and there are others who look like their time in the big leagues is just about done.
Before the sun rises on the first day of cricket at the Gabba, there are bound to be a few more coaching casualties this football season.
Depending on your team’s fortunes this season some of these high-profile coaches could be in line to turn in their clipboard by season’s end.
Gone
Ange Postecoglou – Socceroos
The only reason that the Socceroos are being led by their third Dutch coach to the World Cup in Russia next month, is that former coach Ange Postecoglou decided to jump ship. The popular figurehead turned down the opportunity to lead the Aussies to back to back World Cups citing the incessant pressure of the Aussie media as the main reason to jump. Postecoglou secured Australia’s passage to Russia but couldn’t come to terms with the FFA and the media and chose to take up a lucrative and less stressful gig in the Japanese League.
Sam Allarydace – Everton
Former England manager Sam Allardyce became the second coach this season to be sacked by Everton after he originally took over from former Dutch legend Ronald Koeman. Allardyce is better known for a disastrous stint as England head coach, managed to save Everton from relegation but was criticised for his style of play.
Darren Lehmann – Cricket Australia
Boof makes the list for the disaster in South Africa that cost Steve Smith his job. While Lehmann was found to not be responsible for the lowest point in Australian cricket since the underarm ball against New Zealand, the sheer weight of public opinion dictated that the Aussie coach fell on his sword. Lehmann was held to be morally responsible for the behaviour of some of his players that his side labelled as one of the worst in world cricket.
Kenny Lowe – Perth Glory
After four years in charge, Kenny Lowe was sacked by the Perth Glory after his side failed to make the finals in 2018. Lowe was replaced by former Western Sydney Wanders boss Tony Popovic who will have the task of turning around Perth’s fortunes in the 2019 season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHadH9a76MU
Dwayne Casey – Toronto Raptors
After his side recorded the best season in their history, the management team at the Raptors took the drastic step to fire the 2018 Coach of the Year. The Raptors had their best season on record, finishing as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Toronto were swept aside by LeBron James in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and rather than hold the players responsible, it was simply easier for the management to let go of the coach.
On the Way Out the Door
Wayne Bennett – Broncos
The time is well and truly nigh for the Broncos to pull the trigger and gracefully usher their long-term mentor out the door and start shopping for a younger coach who won’t alienate his player or play them out of position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFu1gmj02ng
John Worsfold – Essendon
The former Eagles mentor was a lion on the field but sadly his players at Essendon have failed to respond to his take no prisoners approach to football. Essendon has struggled this AFL season and Worsfold is the favourite for the first coach to be sacked in the competition if results don’t improve soon.
Dean Pay – Bulldogs
The Bulldogs mentor is in his first season in the top grade and has struggled to replicate the type of football that made him a success as a coach in the reserve grade. The only thing that may save Pay from being sacked this season is the fact that the Bulldogs simply would struggle to pay out his contract.
Tana Umaga – Auckland Blues
The management of the Auckland Blues went against their better judgement and decided to extend the contract of Blues coach Tana Umaga. The only thing saving Umaga at the moment is his reputation as a player, as his side remain glued to the bottom of the New Zealand Conference in the Super Rugby. While Umaga has earned a stay of execution, but expect the Kiwi coach to be back on the chopping block if his side’s fortunes don’t turn around soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnL4VYP2wGk
Ross Lyon – Fremantle Dockers
Ross Lyon has firmed in the betting to be replaced by former assistant Peter Sumich after a month of scandal at Fremantle. The Fremantle mentor is under siege from the media over workplace allegations and Sumich looms as an option to replace a head coach who has rarely produced the type of success that Fremantle craves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GceQWnNPLDw