World Cup sacking culture

Thursday, 16/09/2010

News this morning that Sebia have sacked manager Radomir Antic, after a poor start to their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, means that over half of the managers that led teams in the summer's World Cup have since left their position.

Though it's been just over two months since Spain defeated Holland in the final, already 17 of the participating nations have changed manager.

Those that remain include managers of each of the top four – Spain, Holland, Germany and Uruguay – and the bosses of surprise packages such as New Zealand (only unbeaten team in the tournament) and Slovakia (beat Italy).

The impressive Chile retained Marcelo Bielsa, while North Korea stuck by Kim Jong Hun (we think) – despite famously putting him through manual labour and public humiliation. Fabio Capello, then, got off relatively scot free...

Sven-Göran Eriksson, himself a replacement for Vahdi Halilhodzic at the helm of the Ivory Coast, didn't have his contract renewed; Dunga was dubbed Brazil's 'worst ever coach' after his resignation; and Raymond Domenech has had to endure similar taunts in France after his side's disastrous showing.

Carlos Queiroz ended his second stint in charge of Portugal in controversial circumstances, while Diego Maradona's exit from Argentina was predictably public.

Cameroon, the first team to be knocked out of the tournament, received Paul Le Guen's resignation early doors, while Marcello Lippi (Italy), Otto Rehhagel (Greece) and Javier Aguirre (Mexico) all stood down after disappointing showings from their sides.

It highlights a worrying trend for national teams to change managers on a short-term basis – and we thought it was bad in the Premier League!

* Other managers to leave their position after the World Cup:

Pim Verbeek (Australia) End of contract

Carlos Parreira (South Africa) Retired

Takeshi Okada (Japan) End of contract

Hun Jung Moo (South Korea) Sacked

Milovan Rajevac (Ghana) Resigned

Reinaldo Rueda (Honduras) Resigned

Shaibu Amodu (Nigeria) Sacked

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