The sack race starts at Craven Cottage

The sack race starts at Craven Cottage

The international break in November is traditionally a time when struggling Premier League managers begin nervously looking over their shoulders -- and for good reason. So it hardly came as a surprise when Slavisa Jokanovic got the axe this week with his Fulham team bottom of the table.

The Cottagers have won just one of their opening 12 games and appear to have major problems in defence, having conceded 31 goals, six more than any other team.

The choice of Claudio Ranieri as the Serb's replacement has gone down well, not just amongst Fulham fans but almost everyone who follows English football. Most people seem to have a soft spot for Ranieri who is undoubtedly one of the most popular managers in the eyes of the English public. The extraordinary season when he took Leicester to the title, against all odds, will never be forgotten.

But it is more than that. Ranieri is a charming fellow and comes across as a true gentleman. This does not mean that he's a softie, and he will have to be quite ruthless and take some tough decisions as he attempts to sort out Fulham's woes.

His first task will be to get a win over fellow relegation strugglers Southampton at Craven Cottage next week. After that, Fulham have some seriously difficult games against Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester United. If he can get Fulham off the bottom of the table in that period it will be a major triumph.

No Premier League club wants to be the first to show the gaffer the door, as it suggests an element of panic. But once the first manager departs it tends to be open season. The coming weeks will be squeaky bum time for a number of managers, with possibly Mark Hughes feeling just a little uncomfortable. The Fulham-Saints clash next week could be pivotal for the Welsh boss.

There has also been a flurry of sackings in the lower divisions, with the biggest casualty being Harry Kewell, who was fired by Notts County after just 74 days at the helm.

The former Leeds and Liverpool star was among four lower league managers axed last week. Sadly it included the third longest-serving manager in English football, Neal Ardley who had been at the helm of AFC Wimbledon for a commendable six years.

Other casualties were John Askey at Shrewsbury Town and Swindon Town's Phil Brown. The common denominator in all the sackings was a familiar one -- poor results.

Kewell's appointment at Notts County on a three-year contract only 10 weeks ago prompted considerable publicity and an equal amount of surprise. He had left Crawley Town -- with whom he had finished in 14th place the previous season -- for County who were bottom of the league with just one point after six defeats and one draw. Chairman Alan Hardy stated at the time, "I am confident Harry will deliver for us."

Harry's "delivery" unfortunately featured just three wins in 14 games in all competitions. With the team not tasting victory in their last seven matches, they sit in a precarious 22nd place in the league. They were also knocked out of the FA Cup.

Just two months after his ringing endorsement of Kewell, the County chairman this week announced, "We see no reason to continue with something we don't think can work. Results have not been good enough."

Kewell was said to be "very frustrated" at the decision, although one suspects that was something of an understatement.

While Kewell was sacked after just 74 days, Ardley got his marching orders at Wimbledon after 2,224 days, or more than six years.

Of current league managers, only Morecambe's Jim Bentley (seven years) and Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe Wanderers (six years) have lasted longer.

Ardley took over the helm at Wimbledon in October 2012 and the club just survived relegation with a win over Fleetwood Town on the last day of the season. In the next two seasons Ardley strengthened the squad and in what was regarded as a major achievement, led them to the Wembley play-offs in 2015-16, beating Plymouth Argyle in the final and winning promotion to League One.

The current season however, has been a big struggle and after a run of 10 defeats in 12 games and with the club sitting second from bottom, the board decided it was time for Ardley to pack his bags.

To be fair, the club recognised Ardley's terrific efforts over the years, especially getting the small club into League One despite meagre resources. He is something of a legend at the club having also made 245 appearances as a midfielder.

The club's CEO, Erik Samuelson, commented: "Neal has been a credit to the club in everything he did. He is a clear thinker, a superb man-manager and a fine coach."

The sacking of Shrewsbury Town's John Askey after five months was partly expected. The Shrews had over-performed the previous season, just missing out on promotion. Unfortunately for Askey many of the best players were sold and he had little to work with, quickly reflected in the results. The final straw came last Sunday in the FA Cup when they were held to a draw by non-league Salford and the team was booed off the pitch.

Swindon Town are looking for their fifth manager in three years after sacking Phil Brown with the club in a lowly 17th place in League Two.

So far this season 16 managers have bitten the dust in the top four leagues in England. The next few weeks will definitely be a nervous time for those who are underperforming.

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