PATRICK VIEIRA has been sacked by Crystal Palace – and we all have to hope the name of Ange Postecoglou doesn’t mysteriously materialise on some fictional short list for the vacancy.
The managerial misery-go-round across the border has been in full-speed revolution this season with bosses brutally axed as expectation levels aren’t met and ruthless boards take drastic action.
Last weekend, it was Spurs who were reported to have a five-man shortleet for the boss’ post – while they actually still have an incumbent in Antonio Conte.
IN MY HEART…Ange Postecoglou has been a phenomenon since arriving at Celtic in June 2021.
Postecoglou, who was apparently on this list of frontrunners for the London post, spoke out about the speculation, as CQN reported.
Asked about the Spurs link, the 57-year-old Greek-Australian answered: “I don’t look at it at all, it’s just not of interest to me.
“I don’t wake up and get a daily briefing on the latest gossip, whether that’s football or non-football related.
“I get up every morning and come to work and deal with what’s in front of me.
“The rest of it doesn’t mean anything to me, doesn’t affect me, doesn’t affect the people around me.”
Already this season, Postecoglou has been mentioned with posts at Leeds United, Southampton, Brighton, Wolves and Everton as well as Spurs.
Inevitably, someone somewhere will add his name to the list of possibles for the Palace job.
Vieira, who bought Odsonne Edouard from the Hoops in August 2021, was dismissed following a dreadful run of just one win in the club’s last 14 Premier League matches.
The final straw for the Selhurst Park directors was the 1-0 loss to Brighton in midweek and the hunt is already underway for a replacement.
MEDALLION MAN…Ange Postecoglou celebrates the Viaplay League Cup Final success last month.
As well as the Frenchman, the Londoners have also parted ways with coaches Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson and Said Aigoun.
Chairman Steve Parish, in a club statement, said: “It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made.
“Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.
“That said, Patrick’s impact since joining us in the summer of 2021 has been significant, and he is held in the highest regard by myself, and all of his colleagues.”
Vieira took charge of 65 Premier League matches with a 26 per cent win ratio.
Postecoglou will be concentrating on tomorrow’s visit of Hibs as the champions count down the games in their quest for a second successive title.
There will be nine matches to go after the encounter with the Easter Road side and at the moment Celtic are in pole position with a nine-point advantage.
Their nearest challengers are in action before the Hoops’ 3pm kick-off against the Edinburgh team when Michael Beale’s Ibrox club take on Motherwell at Fir Park with a 12.30pm start.
