Whoever Sheffield Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric appoints as the new manager of the Owls will have to hit the ground running as both Chairman and supporters will now have their sight set firmly on promotion, be it through the play-offs or automatically. Dave Jones, Paul Ince, Lee Clark and Mick Mccarthy are all potential candidates.
Gary Megson was sacked on Wednesday evening despite the fact that the club had been in the top six at worst for most of the season. With the club currently in 3rd place in the division Milan Mandaric was got rid of Megson with the view that the club have a better chance of promotion with a new man in charge.
Given the position that the Owls were in when Megson was relieved of his duties only promotion will do now as otherwise the supporters will be well within their rights to be of the opinion that Megson might well have guided HIS side to the championship.
When Megson took over at Hillsborough last February the team was in a sterile state. Players who had let the club down in the Championship were continuing to struggle in the 3rd division. In his year in charge of the club closest to his heart Megson had renewed pride and passion to the team and had instilled a gritty determination that supporters empathise with.
During the Sheffield derby on Sunday the groundswell of support for him was clear. He had upset a few of his players during his time as boss but at times that was just what the club needed, you can’t make a omelette without breaking a few eggs along the way. The players as much as the fans celebrated the victory with him at the weekend, by and large his approach had improved things at the club.
It may not have always been pretty to watch but more often than not it was effective and a damn sight better than the previous season. 3 poor league results in succession appears to have cost him his job.
The new manager should not be able to use the old excuse that it is not his team and it will take time to mould it to his style should things not go to plan this season. When all is said and done the Chairman believes the team is good enough to be in a better position than we are at present – 3rd – so he has to improve on that.
Thanks Gary, all the best, we’re all Wednesday aren’t we!