mkjones

First, Paul Jewel, the Wigan manager who fought so hard on the last day of the season to keep his team up with the big boys uncharacteristically quit.

Then, slightly less shocking, Manchester City manager and former fans favourite Stuart Pearce was sacked

These two events were summed up wonderfully by probably the most eloquent former centre back in England, Alan Hansen.

Of course, all of this is off the back of Big Sam Allardyce leaving Bolton and the rather sad exit of Glenn Roeder at Newcastle.

So, who will replace these Goliath characters? (Exclude Roeder from that description, but you get the idea…)..

Well its now clear that Allardyce will take the Newcastle Job. A team who have underachieved more than most since the birth of the Premier League.

Roder is, as his character expects, keeping quiet. I assume he will end up in a management position eventually but possibly not for a big team.

Wigan were quick off the mark and named assistant manager Chris Hutchings (?) as a replacement for Jewel.

So that leaves Manchester City. The Bridesmaid of the premiership.

In recent years additions such as new management, a huge modern stadium and the signing of quite a few promising players have made little difference to the teams mid-table inevitability.

Names such as Chris Coleman, Danny Wilson, Peter Reid have been thrown around in connection with the post. But the only name that stands out for me is current Blackburn maestro Mark Hughes. He has taken Blackburn to Europe again this season and done wonders at such a small club.

With Hughes in charge and the new injection of funds from a new owner City could finally start to look at breaking into the much coveted ‘top 7′ teams area of the table. And in time, maybe more so.