4. Malky Mackay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtclmis3eRU You might look at this and wonder what Mackays doing so far up the list. After all, Cardiff won the Championship at a canter last season, playing good football infused with confidence. Mackay did everything owner Vincent Tan could ever ask of him and more. But you could say the same thing about Nigel Adkins last year, or Brian McDermott. The fact is a Championship manager looks forward to the Premier League like turkeys do Christmas, especially when managed by an ambitious owner. Owners want stardust, established Premier League names, and when it comes to top-tier management, calling yourself the best manager in the Championship is akin to being the worlds tallest midget its an achievement, sure, but a relative one. What makes it worse for Mackay is that a Championship manager doesnt have to be doing badly to face the axe. Adkins was out of the relegation zone when he was pushed, and McDermott had just won the Manager of the Month award. Even if Cardiff do thrive in the Premier League, and Ive every reason to believe they will, Mackay probably wont be there to see it. If your owners willing to change the club colours for luck, what chance does the manager have?
Edward Owen
Contributor
Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League.
You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.
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