Nigel Pearson sacked as Leicester City manager
Nigel Pearson has been relieved of his duties as first team manager of Leicester City, in spite of guiding the club to Premier League survival in the 2014/15 season. The statement released on Leicester City’s official website cites a breakdown in relationship between the board and the manager as the reason for what is a truly shocking development.
“The board of directors recognises the success Nigel has helped to bring to Leicester City during his two spells in charge of the club, particularly during the last three and a half years. However fundamental differences in perspective exist between us. Regrettably, the club believes that the working relationship between Nigel and the board is no longer viable.”
Leicester were dead drop at the bottom of the league for over 100 days, before a miraculous run of seven wins and a draw in nine matches helped them avoid relegation. They topped the form guide over that period and finished 14th in the league eventually.
The Leicester City fans will undoubtedly be aggrieved at the club’s decision, and the board tried to douse the fire by stressing that the owners have always acted with the best interests of the club at heart.
“Khun Vichai and Khun Top remain wholly committed to the club’s long term development and ongoing investment in the squad that will continue to be competitive in the Premier League,” the official statement read.
Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh will handle first team duties until a new manager is appointed.
Sacking not down to football issues alone, BBC Sport reports
BBC Sport’s Pat Murphy opined that the racist incident involving Pearson’s son, leading to his subsequent dismissal from the club, played a pivotal part in the board’s decision. The Thai owners were worried about the damage that incident, during the club’s ‘goodwill’ tour to Thailand, had brought upon them.
Despite the success on the pitch, Nigel Pearson himself carried a murky image after being involved in a number of high-profile incidents off it. Arguing with a supporter at a match, clashing with Crystal Palace’s James McArthur and an altercation with a journalist, including calling him an “ostrich” had led to divided opinions.
The pundits however were unanimous in their reactions, with Gary Lineker and Jamie Carragher especially critical of the move, venting out on Twitter