I don’t think sacking GP is the answer, especially on the basis of one defeat against Barca who we never do well against and having coming into the game four unbeaten in the league and in mid-table which is about where we are at best right now
Bringing in a new manager at this stage of the season isn’t the answer for me and will only create more instability.
We’ve gone through a number of managers in recent years and the situation overall hasn’t much improved.
By all means let him go at the end of the season if things haven’t got much better.
The problem is that sacking another manager mid season would just keep the job unstable and no decent coach would come knowing he could be gone before the season is through.
In American football, a coach is normally allowed several seasons to implement his system and get his players in before he considered fireable. While the two sports are different and I be acknowledge that, the same principle applies…you can’t turn your back on the coach season 1 unless you’re gonna get relegated or you find someone substantially better for the future of the club. I don’t think either applies here at the moment.
AS article suggests that Pimienta was insistent on signing a left back & creative midfielder during January, but it was deemed that the squad was sufficient. Injuries and suspensions means that they only have 17 available senior players to take to Valladolid.
Taking the article with a pinch of salt, while I agree that Pimienta isn’t necessarily getting the best out of the team, I think it’s fair to say that he’s also working under constraint from above. Having already paid out over 20 million euros firing 5 coaches, i don’t see the sense in sacking Pimienta, unless results really go south. Give him the rest of the season and then re-assess the situation. He has a break clause in his contract in 2026, so he could be let go without the need to pay his final year.
That’s what often happens when the complacency sets in.
Caparrós took over from Montella in 17/18 for the final four games and achieved 10 points from 12 including a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid. He achieved a UEFA classification in 7th place.
Caparrós took over from Pablo Machin for the final 10 games and achieved UEFA classification.
Emery came mid-season and achieved UEFA classification.
So sacking mangers mid-season is obviously bad, I hear it, I understand the viewpoint, but don’t believe it.
As I look back at that weird locker room renewal thing at the beginning of the season, I’m realizing that while it felt VERY , VERY BIZARRE at the time, it actually could have been shrewd business. They got a weak coach at a very vulnerable moment and said “if you sign a cheap contract at a low price, we’ll give you extra time, otherwise, don’t expect to last here”.
In other words, following the old adage of “buy low, sell high”… effectively they bought another year of GP when his stock was low…and given how things are going, it actually is looking like a smart move, assuming things don’t get too ugly in the remainder of the season.
I’m no fanboy of GP, but I’m a frugal mutha…so saving some coin after the tens of millions on sacking of overpriced, overrated coaches… that’s singing my tune…