7:29am Tuesday 31st August 2010
By Gordon Simpson
CLAIMS Alan Pardew was sacked as Saints boss because of poor staff morale and player unrest have been branded “bizarre” by club legend Matt Le Tissier.
Pardew, 49, was axed early yesterday morning, after being summoned to a meeting with chairman Nicola Cortese and members of his executive committee at St Mary’s.
Also shown the door were first team coach Wally Downes and goalkeeping coach Stuart Murdoch.
No specific reason was given by Saints for the decision to dismiss the trio.
However, the Daily Echo spoke to sources close to Cortese and the executive committee yesterday, who claimed Pardew had been sacked because of concern over morale at the club’s Staplewood training ground.
Certain members of the playing squad were also said to be unhappy with Pardew and his methods.
But Le Tissier poured scorn on that reasoning, after a scintillating Saints display at the Memorial Stadium at the weekend.
“It certainly didn’t look like any of the players had any problem with the manager when they hammered Bristol Rovers, so it seems a bizarre thing for someone to suggest,” Le Tissier told the Echo last night.
It was also suggested there were concerns regardings the integration between the first team and the new football development and support centre.
Finally, it was also suggested last night that the timing of the sacking, after a 4-0 away victory, at Bristol Rovers, was intentional, with the club wanting to show it was not a decision based on results.
The Echo contacted Pardew yesterday, but he declined to comment on his sacking or the allegations.
In a statement on their website, Saints said: “Following a review of the current status in and around the first team, the club has decided that, to achieve its well known targets, it is essential to make changes to the first team management and coaching.
“These targets for sustained and significant progress embrace both the first team and the football development & support centre as integrated, co-operative units.
“Consequently, the first team manager, Alan Pardew, first team coach, Wally Downes, and goalkeeping coach, Stuart Murdoch, have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect.
“The Club wishes them well for the future.
“While we have commenced our careful evaluation of our candidates and longer term requirements, Dean Wilkins has taken on the caretaker role for the first team and he will be assisted by Martin Hunter, the Under 21 coach.
“We recognise that frequent changes to the football management are unlikely to assist in the winning of trophies and promotions.
“However, we are taking these steps to achieve our aims, which we share with all supporters, to get promoted this season, and secure long term stability and progress for our football operations.”
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