Mike Phelan goes to Hull and back

The Premier League has claimed another managerial scalp as Mike Phelan is the latest name to be shown the exit door after his sacking from Hull on Tuesday Evening.

Phelan was appointed Caretaker Manager back in August after the sudden departure of Steve Bruce and took over a squad which at one point only had 13 fit senior professionals.

Many felt that Hull would struggle to get any points from their opening fixtures but the club got off to a start that even Phelan himself could not have anticipated. 7 points from their opening 3 games had a lot of pundits being made to eat their words.

But in fairness that is arguably as good as things got at The KCom Stadium this season. With Phelan taking over in the circumstances that he did it meant that the squad was woefully under prepared for what lied ahead.

Yes the former Manchester United assistant may have been able to galvanise a side short not only on confidence but also personnel due to a dreadful pre-season injury crisis but with the squad of players he had to work with it was only going to be a temporary boost.

Results have gone against Hull since September but you would have to say that they are only have themselves to blame due to some of their own pitch performances.

Namely at the back where they have been seemingly shipping goals for fun. That in itself makes the task of staying up difficulty enough but when you couple that with the fact that they are the lowest scorers in the league then you could argue that Phelan almost undertook an impossible job.

A job that was only given to him on a permanent basis back in October but you almost get the feeling that he was awarded the role full time because there was a lack of any other forthcoming candidates for the position.

That might perhaps sound harsh on Phelan and he himself will argue that he could only work with what he was given. That being not all that much especially as there was a rush job on getting half a dozen new faces into the club before the end of the Summer transfer window.

And unfortunately for the now former Hull manager he will not be trusted with another transfer window to try and get some much needed additional personnel into the club in a bid to avoid relegation.

With Swansea and Crystal Palace also wielding the axe as of late we are very much in the part of he season where the managerial merry-go round is in full swing and it’s now time for Phelan to jump on.

But whoever takes charge of Hull next will no doubt have the same concerns that Phelan did in terms of a lack of support financially and the on going boardroom strife with the club still up for sale.

With a lack of suitors ready to take the job in October you could argue that the job becomes a less attractive prospect in January. That said the opportunity to work in the Premier League will still appeal to many out of work managers. With the all important question being who do they turn to next?

Whoever takes charge of Hull next is going to have their work cut out to keep this club in the top flight. They may only be three points from safety but Hull seemed to have been beset by turmoil and poor preparation throughout the campaign.

The next man who comes in will perhaps be given the remit to get to know his squad before preparing for life in The Championship next season, but it almost seems counter intuitive. Why plan for a bid to get back in the Premier League when with a little better planning you might be able to stay there.