Gary Megson was sacked as manager of struggling Bolton on Wednesday, as the English Premier League’s relegation candidates gear up for an almighty battle.
Bolton are currently languishing in the drop zone, in 18th, after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against 19th placed Hull City on Tuesday.
It was the last straw for Megson, who has had a strained relationship with the Bolton faithful ever since his arrival in October 2007.
But as the Premier League turns into the back end of the campaign, the relegation stragglers need to get busy to ensure their top flight status survives.
Already last month cellar-dwellers Portsmouth sacked Paul Hart and replaced him with former Chelsea boss Avram Grant.
The Israeli boss led Pompey to a memorable 2-0 win over Liverpool soon after his appointment although they still remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a woeful start to the season under Hart.
But Pompey fans will have some optimism Grant has enough time at the helm to dig the side out of their hole. Portsmouth are still four points out of the drop zone.
The other battlers include the aforementioned Hull City along with a long list of clubs who are all realistically in danger including West Ham (17th), Wolves (16th), Wigan (15th), Burnley (14th), Blackburn and even Stoke City.
Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers have had a slow start to the campaign after an excellent term last time out in the Italian’s first year in charge.
Carlton Cole has been crucial for West Ham this campaign, but Alessandro Diamanti’s recent emergence is encouraging for Zola’s team. Indeed, Zola’s reign at Upton Park isn’t fully assured and a storm up the table is required for his future there.
Phil Brown’s Tigers are battling better than some expected after their dramatic slide after the turn of the year last season. Brown, though, has had his moments with the game over Stoke a big day for him.
Brown had been on the chopping block going into that contest, but a 2-1 win ensured he remained at the club for a little bit longer, at least. But a few more poor results and Brown could be on his way.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has had a few detractors this season especially following his decision to field a second-string side at Old Trafford. And Wolves, with the second-least goals scored this term, have plenty of work to do, so McCarthy’s job is hardly safe.
Wigan’s Spanish manager Roberto Martinez has offered glimpses of his vision at times this season (including a 3-1 win over Chelsea) in his first term in charge at the DW Stadium. But too many negative results have his side languishing.
Burnley boss Owen Coyle is one of the few managers down the wrong end who seems safe in his job. Coyle did brilliantly getting Burnley into the top flight, let alone taking them on an impressive run which sees them sitting 14th. But their away form is a major worry and if their home form slips, the Clarets may need to act.
Above them on the table are Sam Allardyce’s blunt Blackburn and Tony Pulis’s goal-shy Stoke City. Both bosses seem safe, but they need to find a route to goal otherwise they could have problems.
Indeed, so often we see desperate chairmen opt for a swift change of management and the challenges which face so many of these bosses is clear.
Who is next, though, isn’t so clear but it seems likely at NFL jerseys this stage of the season, someone will go soon enough.
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