New Manager - Same Old Performance

Posted by Logan Holmes Mar 1, 2008

This season eight Premier League clubs have changed their managers but it hasn't always brought about an improvement in results.

Chelsea

Chelsea were the first club to surprisingly change manager early in the season. Jose Mourhino was replaced by Avram Grant in spite of the success he had brought to the club. As Chelsea challenge on three fronts, Grant has maintained the style and ethos of his predecessor although they lost the Carling Cup Final to Tottenham, only their second defeat since he became manager.

Juande Ramos

Tottenham Hotspur replaced Martin Jol with Juande Ramos who has brought the club their first trophy in nine years, defeating Chelsea at Wembley. His record shows the greatest improvement of any of the new managers, although today's defeat at Birmingham won't have helped.

Birmingham City

Alex McLeish had initial success at St. Andrews, defeating Spurs in his first game in charge but today's victory over the same opponents is only his third win in three months as his side battles against relegation.

Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce switched from one difficult post at Birmingham to another at Wigan but has maintained their position outside the relegation zone.

Derby County

Paul Jewell took on an impossible task at bottom club, Derby County, and is still awaiting his first victory.

Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United

The most high profile change was the return of Kevin Keegan to Newcastle United to replace place Sam Allardyce. Supporters recalled Keegan's previous success at St.James Park and were looking forward to a similar revival. It hasn't happened. After more than two months in charge, Newcastle still await their first win under Keegan. Statistics show Keegan to have had the least influence of any of the new managers in the Premier League as Newcastle slip towards the relegation zone.