Ole Gunnar Solksjaer- next for the managerial sack.
Something had to give at Manchester United and it did. This wasn't entirely unexpected and, on reflection, perhaps only a matter of time. Poor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the now previous manager of Old Trafford, departed the club via the exit door at Old Trafford. The natives, once restless, have now been rewarded for their patience. After all how many crushingly heavy defeats could United take in recent games without looking like broken pieces of machinery.
But the axe has now fallen at Manchester United and the man who once scored the decisive goal that completed United's treble season with a last gasp Champions League Final victory against Bayern Munich in 1999 is now no more than some evil pantomime villain who should never darken the club's corridors again. How fickle can the finger of fate be when, after United's poorest run of form for ages, the baby faced assassin from Norway has now become nothing more than some distant, historical figure, a careless mistake on United's part, a rash judgment that should never have seen the light of day.
So it was that Solksjaer packed his belongings, left his office at Manchester United and became the latest victim of the back stabbing brigade who love to see the back of managers who simply can't hack it at the highest level. Of course Solksjaer is an honest, law abiding, respectable and perfectly capable coach. But the truth is that managing a club of Manchester United's size, status and globally famous magnitude was never likely to be a suitable match.
When Sir Alex Ferguson left United for the last time, after those colossal Premier League title winning achievements which now stand at some remarkable, record breaking high. United were left with a huge, gaping gap that has to be yet to be adequately filled. The years following the Ferguson golden years would always be both traumatic, transitional, uncertain and almost anti climactic. But Solkskjaer was perhaps too kind, diplomatic and philosophical to be as ruthless as his predecessor. Besides the Norwegian never did find a packet of chewing gum to his liking. Fergie was never without his.
Now United have worked their way painstakingly through the likes of Louis Van Gaal, a Dutch market researcher with clipboard permanently in his hands. Tactical formations were never Van Gaal's forte. Then there was the current West Ham manager David Moyes who Ferguson personally recommended to United but then realised that Moyes simply wasn't up to such an onerous, almost thankless task. Then United turned to the demanding perfectionist who was Jose Mourinho. When all was said and done Mourinho gave a convincing impersonation of a man who simply found himself with a hand grenade in his hand that suddenly went off.
Today United are manager less once again, looking around and beyond at another what they hope will be a higher profile appointment. The name of Zinedine Zidane has been mentioned and although a world class talent for the French national team, will always be remembered for that shocking head butt of an Italian defender Marco Matterazi in a World Cup Final. At the time the global game could hardly contain its outrage and condemnation at such a violent attack and some United fans may have their reservations.
So now United are simply back to square one. You remember those awkward years after the departure of the memorable Sir Matt Busby, a footballing giant, a man of immense knowledge about the game and a man of intelligent erudition. Once Busby had gone, United thought they'd turn to Frank O' Farrell and Wilf Mcguiness as messiahs and salvations. Sadly there would never be any hint of a trophy to adorn the Old Trafford trophy cabinet and neither man truly covered himself in glory.
By the time Dave Sexton and Tommy Docherty had warmed the manager's bench at United, the once holders of the European Cup in 1968 were just treading water and going nowhere. When United were relegated to the old Second Division for the first time in recent history in 1974, this was no temporary setback. United came straight back up to the old First Division and cheerful Docherty planted the lid of the FA Cup on his head when United outwitted and beat Liverpool in the 1977 FA Cup Final.
Then there was the larger than life Ron Atkinson who looked more like a suave businessman than a football manager. Atkinson won the FA Cup for United in 1983 and 1985 but the old League Championship proved beyond them and utterly elusive. Atkinson finally waved the white flag of surrender and Alex Ferguson, a hard piece of granite from Aberdeen, was recruited for the United job. It took Ferguson ages to get his feet properly under the table but still United stumbled, staggered and toppled over like drunken sailors at chucking out time.
The famous Mark Robins goal for United in a vital FA Cup third round tie against Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest at the City Ground proved absolutely crucial. United never really looked back and by the time David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs transformed the club from top to bottom, the change in fortunes was almost immediate. It was a renaissance with a touch of baroque thrown in for good measure. Now the club's culture and infrastructure had been given a thorough cleaning. United would win umpteen Premier League titles, the FA and League Cup on several occasions and the Champions League twice. Oh and we mustn't forget the Treble. Sir Alex would be most incensed at such a glaring oversight.
But now United face another period of head scratching, deep introspection and worrying morbidity. It almost feels as though the club have run out of plausible options and are afraid to experiment again. Zidane sounds as though it could be the right appointment but the occasionally hot headed Frenchman could find himself imitating his fellow Frenchman and United legend Eric Cantona. Cantona wasn't normally partial to martial arts but the kung fu high kick on a Crystal Palace supporter wasn't a good look.
Today United were considering the possibility of bringing Mauricio Pochettino out of cold storage. The former Spurs and Southampton boss does look tailor made for the United managerial vacancy. After all Pochettino did take Spurs to a Champions League Final which they promptly lost to Liverpool. But Pochettino must be longing to find another Premier League club. Of course he is fiercely ambitious but United want success now rather than later on which, given the predicament they find themselves in, does sound distinctly unreasonable.
And so the managerial merry go round takes another rotation. Managing a football club of any standing does require a health warning. In the old days managers such as Bill Nicholson, Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Brian Clough were all given a settling in period. Then all four proceeded to build attractive, well designed teams and within a short period of time, eventually took their clubs in the right direction.
But Manchester United will always be Manchester United and Premier League titles must seem like an old silent, black and white film where the leading characters always seem to end up on the losing side. The next week at Old Trafford is bound to be eventful and United must be hoping that in some corner of the country Sir Alex Ferguson will have one or two ingenious suggestions up his sleeve. Watch this space.
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