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An army without an apt leader is a ship on a directionless voyage. A bunch of great football players without an apt manger are headless chickens loitering around in a battlefield. No wonder then football coaches are the first to face the axe when a team under-performs.David Moyes is the latest casualty after getting sacked after just 10 months in charge at Manchester United. An astounding eight managers were sacked in the English top flight mid season, five in the Spanish La Liga, three in the French Ligue 1 and seven in the German Bundesliga. The impulsive Italians lead the sack race with over a dozen mid season manger sackings in the Serie A.Perhaps stability is the reason why Sir Alex Ferguson became a magnanimous figure in football management. However, when a team performs well managers take a backseat behind the opulent praise star-players receive, managers somehow dont receive their fair share of the pie . Here are the 5 men who have had stand-out performances behind the touch-line:
#1 Laurent Blanc - PSG
Paris Saint Germain appointed Laurent Blanc as the manger last summer after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid. The high spending French Ligue 1 side has not only been a Zlatan show but it’s also been the serene flair of their manager Laurent Blanc. After finishing the French national team job in frustration, a question mark remained over his man-management skills after indiscipline rippled through his Euro 2012 squad.
His PSG tenure began with success, as he won the Trophee des Champions for the third time in his managerial career with a 2-1 victory over former club Bordeaux. Since then he has never looked back with PSG in firm control of the Ligue 1 and winners of the French league cup. Blanc guided PSG to the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they bowed out to Chelsea on the away goals rule.
The first leg of the quarter-final against Chelsea is testimony to his shrewd tactics where he edged out the king of tactics “Jose Mourihino” with a 3-1 victory. PSG are keen to extend Blanc’s contract.
#2 Rudi Garcia - AS Roma
On 12 June 2013, when Roma appointed Rudi Garcia as their new manager, the fans took the decision cautiously, but as the season progressed Rudi Garcia has shown immense class. Rudi’s Roma began the 2013–14 season by winning its first ten Serie A matches, setting the record for the best ever start in Serie A history.
Roma's perfect start to the 2013–14 Serie A season included a 2–0 derby win over city rivals Lazio, a 3–0 away victory against Internazionale and a 2–0 home win over Serie A title rivals Napoli. During this 10-match winning run, Roma scored 24 goals while conceding just one goal, away to Parma. When the little known Rudi Garcia took charge of a club in turmoil; the club was out of Europe after a season that ended with a nightmare Coppa Italia final loss to the neighbors Lazio.
Garcia’s brand of solid defensive football with high speed of their transition to attack has been deadly and effective. The club is holding on to the second spot firmly in the Serie A this season with just two losses so far. Roma’s resurgence has to be credited to Rudi Garcia a man they cautiously put their faith on, but he has proved to be worth every penny.
#3 Roberto Martinez - Everton
Roberto Martinez couldn't have asked for a better life at Everton, especially when your predecessor has had a nightmare of a season at his new club and you complete a double over him beating his team twice this season. Everton recently completed a double over Manchester United, a club managed by their former manager David Moyes for the first time in Premier League history.
Martinez has shown his tactical master class with significant victories over Chelsea and Arsenal. He has had a 59% winning percentage record at Everton and the club is in contention for a UEFA Champion League place. Two successful loan stints from Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku are corroboration of his prudent financial spending to extract the maximum out of his players.
Martinez has acquired a reputation as a fine user of substitutes and good ball retention philosophy. His affable personality and commitment to attacking style football has won him many admirers and accolades from his own players as well. Everton have amassed 69 points this season so far - their highest ever points tally with three games more to go.
#4 Brendan Rodgers - Liverpool
At the start of the season, who would have thought Liverpool would be a frontrunner for the Premier League trophy? They were dubbed to be a one-man team and the owners had cautiously put their faith on Brendan Rodgers after a dismal end to the previous season. Nine months later, Liverpool have exceeded their fans expectations and are in a position to clinch their first league title since 1990.
Liverpool's title hopes were strengthened on April 13, as Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 in a dramatic and emotional encounter two days before the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. Rodgers has evolved Liverpool from a possession hogging team to the most dangerous counter-offensive team in England. The deep lying play making ability of Steven Gerrad combined with the swift speed of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez has been menacing for the opposition.
Rodgers' reign has also seen the emergence of a new generation of youngsters like Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling. Liverpool have long lived in the shadows of arch rivals Manchester United since the inception of the Premier League. Now, perhaps it’s their time to enjoy their place in the sun.
#5 Diego Simeone - Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone, the Argentine midfielder Beckham kicked to earn his infamous red card in the 1998 World Cup has gained world-wide reputation for his transformation of Atletico Madrid from a mid table La Liga finisher to a European power-house. Spanish football for long has been dominated by El Classico rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona but now Diego Simeone’s men have established their bastion in Spanish football topping the La Liga points table with 4 games to go.
It’s a staggering achievement on a wage bill a quarter the size of Madrid and Barcelona. The one time bustling mid-fielder nicknamed El Cholo has infused a fearsome and frenzied passion for success in the Atletico system. He has utterly revitalized the club since with year-on-year improvement under financial strain.
Diego Simeone’s men beat La Liga rivals Barcelona to book their berth in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 40 years. Simeone’s reign has seen the rise of players like Koke, Arda Turan, and Thiabaut Courtois. He is seen as a strong combative and determined coach whom the players revere and fans adore. No wonder then he is seen as a reflection of the legendary Luis Aragones at the Vincente Calderon and clubs like Manchester United are interested in his services.
