The Glazer family have surprisingly taken the decision to fire Lovie Smith as Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach.
And we can’t help think they’ve got their sports teams mixed up.
As most will know, the family own Manchester United as well as the Bucs with Joel Glazer acting as joint chairman of both.
They took the decision late last night to get rid of Smith after he led his team to two losing seasons in the job – the latest being a 6-10 campaign which saw them miss out on the playoffs.
But there is considerable sympathy for the fired head coach considering he took over from Greg Schiano after a 4-12 2013 season, improved the team and has led them through a transition period which saw first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Jameis Winston, come in as their starting quarterback.
Compare that to United manager Louis van Gaal, who still has a job despite leading United to no trophies last season, a group stage exit in the Champions League this term, an eight-game winless streak, the sale of several star players, wasting £52million on Angel Di Maria and playing some of the most boring football in the club’s rich history.
On top of that, van Gaal’s men are nine points off the top of the table and there’s no guarantee they’ll secure a top four spot with Tottenham, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Liverpool all fighting close for a place.
There have been consistent reports that United were mulling over sacking van Gaal, but it’s so far not happened and the recent draw with Chelsea and win at Swansea suggests he’s turned a corner.
As for Smith, he must be wishing he got some of the support van Gaal appears to have been given during rocky stages in his time working under the Glazers.
There’s even a report from bucsnation.com that Smith was fire over the phone. Ouch!
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