Flitcroft

[mark45]

Sacked.

[countygump]

Sacked.

Very surprised. Makes Mansfield as bad as us, unless, the drive for League 1 is being put on hold? All owners get pished off spending money in the end. Nolan???

[Chicken Balti Pie]

They've replaced him with a totally inexperienced manager. Suspect this is a cost saving measure and the money won't be so fast flowing

[countygump]

Very surprised. Makes Mansfield as bad as us, unless, the drive for League 1 is being put on hold? All owners get pished off spending money in the end. Nolan???

Yep:

Academy manager John Dempster has been appointed as first team manager and will be responsible for all of the club’s football operations.

In a statement, chairman John Radford said: “It is with a heavy heart that we part company with David and his staff, however, the decision has been made with the best interests of Mansfield Town Football Club in mind.

“Despite a season of progress, we were unable to fulfil our primary objective of earning promotion to League One, despite having a number of games to achieve this ambition.

“We thank David and his staff for their tireless endeavours and part ways amicably. David and his staff have been highly professional throughout their tenures and we wish them genuine success in the future.”

Commenting on the new appointment of John Dempster as manager, Mr Radford said: “In John, we have a man who is considered to be one of the brightest and most innovative young coaches in football.

[keldsyke]

Wow football is crazy, you have to build on success, unbelievable that. I'm guessing the players wont be happy.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

Does that mean they've chucked Abbott out as well?

[slack_pie]

As someone else said on a different thread, he was one result away from automatic, and a penalty shootout away from Wembley. Seems mental to sack him - Notts-level mental.

Are they copying our every move?

[countygump]

Does that mean they've chucked Abbott out as well?

Yep:


Mansfield Town can announce that the contract of David Flitcroft as manager has been terminated.

Head of football operations Greg Abbott, assistant manager Ben Futcher, goalkeeping coach Ian Pledger and performance analyst Dan Ashby have also been released from their positions.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

Yep:


Mansfield Town can announce that the contract of David Flitcroft as manager has been terminated.

Head of football operations Greg Abbott, assistant manager Ben Futcher, goalkeeping coach Ian Pledger and performance analyst Dan Ashby have also been released from their positions.

That sounds to me like the Radford's are looking to get rid. That's a lot of back room staff to get rid of, and to replace with sheer inexperience is quite mad

[countygump]

As someone else said on a different thread, he was one result away from automatic, and a penalty shootout away from Wembley. Seems mental to sack him - Notts-level mental.

Are they copying our every move?

Can only be a cost cutting exercise. How else can you explain it? Next thing will be an accidental photo of Carolyn with a dildo and then the club will be up for sale.

[navypie]

Can only be a cost cutting exercise. How else can you explain it? Next thing will be an accidental photo of Carolyn with a dildo and then the club will be up for sale.

Or Danny Rose.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

Or Danny Rose.

Some might say he already said that... 😂

[countygump]

FlipFlop reacts to sacking. *photo courtesy of Beano*


12650

[navypie]

Some might say he already said that... 😂

Yep.

[cher1]

Chippers' comment on Twitter was very interesting:

It’s often sad when a manager leaves a club. Often, but not always...

[slack_pie]

That sounds to me like the Radford's are looking to get rid. That's a lot of back room staff to get rid of, and to replace with sheer inexperience is quite mad

Maybe not getting rid, but certainly cutting their cloth accordingly. Three seasons of top-three budgets and nothing to show for it.

This season for the Stags seemed a bit like that year Trew threw money at Curle to get us out of L1, when we missed out on the playoffs on goal difference. He cut the budget the next year and then replaced Curle with Kiwomya, saying similar things about how talented a coach he was. The rest is history.

[jonnyt1]

Does seem monies too tight to mention for next season.

Seems they threw their money about, gave it a good shot but came up just short.

Radfords simply seeing red.

[Bohinen]

Sacking Flitcroft would obviously have been a bit like Notts sacking Nolan after our play off failure. Call it madness if you like, but with the benefit of hindsight, we would have been better off doing that then recruiting without any pressure and letting the new man build his own squad.

The big but with this is making the Kiwomya type appointment that followed. For that reason, I don't think it was a brave decision, more like a financial one. Bet on them for relegation next year when they can't afford their loanees from their Red mates. It's the kind of thing Elite would do and then we all wish we'd done the same by January.

[SwalePie]

Can only be a cost cutting exercise. How else can you explain it? Next thing will be an accidental photo of Carolyn with a dildo and then the club will be up for sale.


Then enter the Smurf. If you'll pardon the expression.

[CaptainBalrog]

Does seem monies too tight to mention for next season.

Seems they threw their money about, gave it a good shot but came up just short.

Radfords simply seeing red.

But did he do the right thing?

[Oldstripy]

Mansfield's full statement.


Mansfield Town can announce that the contract of David Flitcroft as manager has been terminated.

Head of football operations Greg Abbott, assistant manager Ben Futcher, goalkeeping coach Ian Pledger and performance analyst Dan Ashby have also been released from their positions.

Academy manager John Dempster has been appointed as first team manager and will be responsible for all of the club’s football operations.

In a statement, chairman John Radford said: “It is with a heavy heart that we part company with David and his staff, however, the decision has been made with the best interests of Mansfield Town Football Club in mind.

“Despite a season of progress, we were unable to fulfil our primary objective of earning promotion to League One, despite having a number of games to achieve this ambition.

“We thank David and his staff for their tireless endeavours and part ways amicably. David and his staff have been highly professional throughout their tenures and we wish them genuine success in the future.”

Commenting on the new appointment of John Dempster as manager, Mr Radford said: “In John, we have a man who is considered to be one of the brightest and most innovative young coaches in football.

“His success with the youth team over the past few seasons has been remarkable and he now deserves the opportunity to manage the first team.

“John will have our full backing. He is appointed as manager of a club which is widely considered as one of the best operations in football.

“His rebuilding process starts today and we encourage all Stags’ supporters to welcome John into the position as a new era at One Call Stadium gets under way.”

[slack_pie]

Sacking Flitcroft would obviously have been a bit like Notts sacking Nolan after our play off failure. Call it madness if you like, but with the benefit of hindsight, we would have been better off doing that then recruiting without any pressure and letting the new man build his own squad.

The big but with this is making the Kiwomya type appointment that followed. For that reason, I don't think it was a brave decision, more like a financial one. Bet on them for relegation next year when they can't afford their loanees from their Red mates. It's the kind of thing Elite would do and then we all wish we'd done the same by January.

True. If you're going to sack a manager, now is the time to do it, not 5 games into a new season. At least this new bloke (can't remember his name) will have time to get the players he wants in.

It's a massive gamble though, and one you'd surely only take if the main reason was to save cash. The fact that Abbot and the rest of the coaching staff have also gone shows that too.

[slack_pie]

He is appointed as manager of a club which is widely considered as one of the best operations in football.”

Yes, I'm sure most of the football world looks up to a lower-league club that splashes money around but achieves absolutely nothing.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

Yes, I'm sure most of the football world looks up to a lower-league club that splashes money around but achieves absolutely nothing.

How arrogant, they're not sustainable and are reliant on their chairman paying the bills. I'd say Accrington Stanley and Burton are actually the best run football clubs

[tied_up_in_notts]

Next thing will be an accidental photo of Carolyn with a dildo

Ugh, I think I'd rather see Hardy's cock tbh

[bridpie78]

True. If you're going to sack a manager, now is the time to do it, not 5 games into a new season. At least this new bloke (can't remember his name) will have time to get the players he wants in.

It's a massive gamble though, and one you'd surely only take if the main reason was to save cash. The fact that Abbot and the rest of the coaching staff have also gone shows that too.

I don't see it as a massive gamble at all, Radford appears to be a savvy businessman ,he doesn't come across as rash or emotional when it comes to his dealings with MTFC (if only all owners were more like him)

He has invested in a concerted effort to get promotion over the last 3 years while raising the profile of the club and they have fallen just short on the field.

To me it looks like he's weighed up the options and looked at next season and decided that Flitcroft is not the man to take his football club on, he's identified a viable candidate for his replacement from within the club who he has worked with for several years and he has been promoted,it may even point to a strategy of promoting youth prospects the club has developed who will move up with their manager, We know as well as anyone that a big name coming in as manager doesn't guarantee success.

i wouldn't be surprised if he already had his plan A B and C strategy for next season organised long before the penalty shootout in the week

his letter announcing the news of DF leaving and thanking him and his team for their efforts while keeping the fans in the loop about his replacement showed a level of class we haven't seen at our club in a long long time

I don't think they'll struggle next season they have a strong spine to the squad and stability off the field which at L2 level seems to go a long way, maybe not dead certs for promotion this time around but they'll still be in the mix for the playoffs

Talk of them going into financial meltdown and 'doing a notts' next season seems to be bitter wishful thinking

[Watchdogs]

Agreed - cringy reading mosts post in this thread.

[i961pie]

Maybe not getting rid, but certainly cutting their cloth accordingly. Three seasons of top-three budgets and nothing to show for it.

This season for the Stags seemed a bit like that year Trew threw money at Curle to get us out of L1, when we missed out on the playoffs on goal difference. He cut the budget the next year and then replaced Curle with Kiwomya, saying similar things about how talented a coach he was. The rest is history.

I was thinking the same, will the players have respect for inexperienced manager.

[KCNotts]

Flitcroft is a liability. His post match interviews were an embarrassment...in fact they weren't interviews at all, just monologues full of clichés and ramblings. No wonder Chippers is glad to see the back of him. Mansfield will never have a better chance to be promoted and his results recently have been poor.

[centenarypie]

Flitcroft is a liability. His post match interviews were an embarrassment...in fact they weren't interviews at all, just monologues full of clichés and ramblings. No wonder Chippers is glad to see the back of him. Mansfield will never have a better chance to be promoted and his results recently have been poor.

Irrespective of his interview skills he did a solid job and is rewarded with the boot. Who would want to manage a football club at this level?

[Bohinen]

I don't see it as a massive gamble at all, Radford appears to be a savvy businessman ,he doesn't come across as rash or emotional when it comes to his dealings with MTFC (if only all owners were more like him)

He's not that savvy, is he?

Mr Radford - who is also owner of Mansfield Town football club - was fined £468,600 after the FCA decided he ‘is not fit and proper to have any responsibility for client money or insurer money’... ‘on the basis of his lack of competence to perform such functions’.

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/doncaster-insurance-broker-one-call-and-boss-john-radford-fined-more-than-1m-for-mishandling-client-money-1-8987658

[navypie]

Ugh, I think I'd rather see Hardy's cock tbh

Really? Weirdo.

[optipez]

A gamble by Radford, Flitcroft would probably get them over the line next season.

[Bohinen]

A gamble by Radford, Flitcroft would probably get them over the line next season.

Whoever manages them next year will have to improve on this because at the business end of the season, a bit like us last year, they were poor. The link shows the form table for the last 12 games, and they are 15th, only two points better than us.

https://www.twtd.co.uk/league-tables/competition:league-two/form/matches:12/type:home-and-away/

Momentum often carries through from the end of one season to the start of the next, so thinking they might struggle isn't just bitterness, it's a likely outcome.

[Freeman25]

Everyone presuming this means the end for Mansfield because it's not worked out for us when we've done similar may end up looking quite silly if Dempster turns out to be any good.

[navypie]

Everyone presuming this means the end for Mansfield because it's not worked out for us when we've done similar may end up looking quite silly if Dempster turns out to be any good.

Just replace the E with a U.

[slack_pie]

I don't see it as a massive gamble at all, Radford appears to be a savvy businessman ,he doesn't come across as rash or emotional when it comes to his dealings with MTFC (if only all owners were more like him)

He has invested in a concerted effort to get promotion over the last 3 years while raising the profile of the club and they have fallen just short on the field.

To me it looks like he's weighed up the options and looked at next season and decided that Flitcroft is not the man to take his football club on, he's identified a viable candidate for his replacement from within the club who he has worked with for several years and he has been promoted,it may even point to a strategy of promoting youth prospects the club has developed who will move up with their manager, We know as well as anyone that a big name coming in as manager doesn't guarantee success.

i wouldn't be surprised if he already had his plan A B and C strategy for next season organised long before the penalty shootout in the week

his letter announcing the news of DF leaving and thanking him and his team for their efforts while keeping the fans in the loop about his replacement showed a level of class we haven't seen at our club in a long long time

I don't think they'll struggle next season they have a strong spine to the squad and stability off the field which at L2 level seems to go a long way, maybe not dead certs for promotion this time around but they'll still be in the mix for the playoffs

Talk of them going into financial meltdown and 'doing a notts' next season seems to be bitter wishful thinking

Eh?

If sacking an experienced manager who missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season and replacing him with a complete rookie isn't risky, I don't know what is. Whatever Radford thinks of this new guy's credentials, nobody knows whether he'll be successful or not.

As for Radford announcing the news to the fans, that's hardly something unique - pretty much every owner does that, including Hardy. What else would you expect?

I don't think they'll struggle next season either, but I'd say their chances of promotion are lower now than they were if Flitcroft hadn't been sacked. Nor do I think they'll struggle financially, at least not while Radford is around, but it's highly likely he won't want to keep blowing money down the drain for nothing in return.

[bridpie78]

Just replace the E with a U.

looks like navy has our nickname for mansfields new boss XD

[Elite_Pie]

This season for the Stags seemed a bit like that year Trew threw money at Curle to get us out of L1, when we missed out on the qplayoffs on goal difference. He cut the budget the next year and then replaced Curle with Kiwomya, saying similar things about how talented a coach he was. The rest is history.

That's exactly what I thought. Trew had decided that spending didn't guarantee anything, so we were going to follow the example of clubs like Crewe and promote from within and utilise young players. The problem was that neither Kiwomya or the youngsters were anywhere near the standard required. It might turn out differently at Mansfield, but I have a feeling this season will prove to be their high point for a while. Bohinen is correct, when the odds are released I will be looking straight away at the relegation prices for both Notts and Mansfield, on the basis of a good cash out opportunity if both are fancied to do well.

[bridpie78]

Eh?

If sacking an experienced manager who missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season and replacing him with a complete rookie isn't risky, I don't know what is. Whatever Radford thinks of this new guy's credentials, nobody knows whether he'll be successful or not.

As for Radford announcing the news to the fans, that's hardly something unique - pretty much every owner does that, including Hardy. What else would you expect?

I don't think they'll struggle next season either, but I'd say their chances of promotion are lower now than they were if Flitcroft hadn't been sacked. Nor do I think they'll struggle financially, at least not while Radford is around, but it's highly likely he won't want to keep blowing money down the drain for nothing in return.

Whats not to understand there? Flitcroft is an experienced manager who has had relative success but two seasons running when the pressure came in the last month of the season he and his team folded and blew promotion.

The announcement while it feels familiar and like we've heard it before did seem genuine and i don't expect it will be followed by interviews in the press and social media blaming him for their lack of promotion at a later date.

rookie manager or not Radford will have worked with him for 3 years now and must have seen potential, everyone has to start somewhere, for me promoting from within shows a bit more nous than going for a so called big name, it didn't exactly work our for us did it and every year the same 'big name' managers take over clubs and fail if clubs always went for an experienced manager where would the next eddie howe,gary monk,nigel adkins or even sol campbell come from, everyone would just take turns having harry kewells and paul inces

The timing also seemed right, he's identified that DF is not the man to take the club forward next season and has appointed a successor in plenty of time to build a squad and prepare for the new season

as i said i don't see a gamble i see a strategy ,something which has been sadly lacking for us for a while. Others may see a financial meltdown and failure after trying to buy promotion 3 years running, i guess we'll see in a few months.

BTW i hate to see them doing well especially when we aren't, i was buzzing when they lost the shootout i just don't think we're in a position to critisize an owner who seems to know what he's doing and is making actual decisions about his club in a professional and timely manner, i don't think its their bubble bursting its just trying something new when plan A didn't work out, we could have done with some leadership like that recently

[navypie]

All of a sudden a lot of Notts fans seem to think they are experts on everything Mansfield. Perhaps we should wait to hear from our man with his ear close to the ground, StagsManStan. On second thoughts...............

[Lullapie]

Yep:

Academy manager John Dempster has been appointed as first team manager and will be responsible for all of the club’s football operations.

In a statement, chairman John Radford said: “It is with a heavy heart that we part company with David and his staff, however, the decision has been made with the best interests of Mansfield Town Football Club in mind.

“Despite a season of progress, we were unable to fulfil our primary objective of earning promotion to League One, despite having a number of games to achieve this ambition.

“We thank David and his staff for their tireless endeavours and part ways amicably. David and his staff have been highly professional throughout their tenures and we wish them genuine success in the future.”

Commenting on the new appointment of John Dempster as manager, Mr Radford said: “In John, we have a man who is considered to be one of the brightest and most innovative young coaches in football.

Jamie Fullerton?

[StagManStan]

I was in the wrong thinking Flitcroft was safe. I was upset that he went personally. As far as cost saving goes, it might be part of the rationale bit getting rid of our loanees alone will save the club a fortune, Walker and Grant etc. Most people I know are underwhelmed by the appointment of the academy boss who was not even aware the manager was getting sacked til he was offered the job.

He's unknown. It's a gamble, for sure but all appointments are. He will have the benefit of having the same squad as this season, just a case of getting the most out of them.

[nw6pie]

I was in the wrong thinking Flitcroft was safe. I was upset that he went personally. As far as cost saving goes, it might be part of the rationale bit getting rid of our loanees alone will save the club a fortune, Walker and Grant etc. Most people I know are underwhelmed by the appointment of the academy boss who was not even aware the manager was getting sacked til he was offered the job.

He's unknown. It's a gamble, for sure but all appointments are. He will have the benefit of having the same squad as this season, just a case of getting the most out of them.

What went wrong at the tail end of the season? You stuffed Exeter 4-1 and then the wheels seemed to fall off - pressure? Injuries? January signings not delivering? (Grant seemed to fall out of favour quite quickly, for example, and Ajose didn’t seem to get much game time, either.)

Must admit, I always used to like hearing Flitcroft after games - seemed like an honest, straight-talking bloke who tried to play decent football.

[lunaspie]

Can only be a cost cutting exercise. How else can you explain it? Next thing will be an accidental photo of Carolyn with a dildo and then the club will be up for sale.

That would certainly put the Radfords on the G-spot.

[drillerpie]

Must admit, I always used to like hearing Flitcroft after games - seemed like an honest, straight-talking bloke who tried to play decent football.

I thought that way too until early springtime when he started channeling Philosophy For Beginners in his interviews which made Keith Curle sound lucid.

[slack_pie]

I thought that way too until early springtime when he started channeling Philosophy For Beginners in his interviews which made Keith Curle sound lucid.

Not to mention his rather pathetic 'Jorge Grant needs protecting!' comments before the derby in Feb.

[LaxtonLad]

Not to mention his rather pathetic 'Jorge Grant needs protecting!' comments before the derby in Feb.

Made me larf too, that one. Did he expect the referee to keep an eye on baby-face-with-a-beard all game? And if I remember proper didn't our Jorgie sneak one or two kicks on an opposition ankle when he was with us?

[slack_pie]

Made me larf too, that one. Did he expect the referee to keep an eye on baby-face-with-a-beard all game? And if I remember proper didn't our Jorgie sneak one or two kicks on an opposition ankle when he was with us?

Strange, eh? It's like admitting before a local derby thar you've got a lightweight in midfield. Bless.