Former United coach Meulensteen set to be sacked by Russian club Anzhi... just 16 DAYS after taking charge!
By Elliott Bretland
PUBLISHED:12:38, 7 August 2013| UPDATED:15:09, 7 August 2013 72 shares
45
View
comments
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen is set to be sacked as manager of Anzhi Makhachkala after just 16 days in charge.
The Dutchman, who left Old Trafford this summer after the appointment of David Moyes as manager, replaced Guus Hiddink in the Anzhi hotseat just over two weeks ago.
However Meulensteen failed to win any of his first four Russian Premier League matches, despite Anzhi splashing a considerable amount of cash on the signings of Dinamo Moscow's Aleksander Kokorin and Zenit St Petersburg's Igor Denisov this summer.
Facing the axe: Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen, pictured with Sir Alex Ferguson, is set to be sacked by Anzhi after just 16 days in charge
According to reports in Russia, Anzhi owner Suleiman Kerimov has lost patience with the club amidst rumours of unrest among the team's biggest stars.
It's believed the Russian billionaire is planning to put the entire squad up for sale with a view to focusing on a new side filled with more local, younger talent.
Konstantin Remchukov, chairman of the Anzhi board of directors, announced Meulensteen's imminent departure on Twitter on Tuesday, also stating the club's annual budget will be slashed considerably from around £120million to just under £50m.
Changes: Anzhi owner Suleiman Kerimov is planning to put the entire squad up for sale
Anzhi's biggest signing: Samuel Eto'o, whose contract ends next summer, is the world's highest earning footballer, raking in £350,000 a week
There are rumours, however, that Kerimov's plans to scale down are because he recently lost a large amount of money on the stock market.
Having spent millions of pounds securing the signatures of the likes of Brazil legend Roberto Carlos and former Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o in recent years, Kerimov's change of heart has plunged the future of a number of the club's top players into doubt.
The likes of Willian, Lassana Diarra and Christopher Samba - who re-signed for the club from QPR this summer after an ill-fated spell at Loftus Road - may all have to find new clubs over the coming month.
Despite the expected overhaul, it's believed Eto'o may stay at the club for the rest of the season and leave when his contract runs out next summer.
Doubts: Christopher Samba re-signed for Anzhi this summer from QPR but faces an uncertain future
Following his brief tenure, Meulensteen joins the likes of Brian Clough and Steve Coppell in an infamous, exclusive group of bosses who lasted just a few weeks in certain managerial offices.
Former Anzhi coach Gadzi Gadzhiyev, who turns 68 in October, is expected to replace Meulensteen.
A SELECTION OF FOOTBALL'S SHORTEST MANAGERIAL REIGNS
Facing the sack after just 16 days in the Anzhi hotseat, Rene Meulensteen joins an exclusive group of managers who were gone almost before they'd begun.
Sportsmail takes a look at some of the shortest managerial reigns in football history...
Brian Clough - Leeds United - 44 days
Clough took over at Elland Road in 1974, replacing new England manager Don Revie in the Leeds hotseat.
During his time at Derby County, Clough had a bitter feud with Revie and this continued when he took over from him.
Old Big 'Ead didn't like Revie's players and they didn't like him.
Unfortunately for the former Middlesbrough and Sunderland striker, Bremner and Co got their way and he he was forced out after just six weeks. The spell is the subject of David Peace's book The Damned Utd.
Clough had the last laugh however, guiding Nottingham Forest to two European Cups in 1979 and 1980.
Damned: Brian Clough was manager of Leeds United for just 44 days having never got on with the players
Leroy Rosenior - Torquay United - 10 minutes
The shortest of all managerial reigns and one that will surely never be beaten.
Former Brentford and Gloucester City boss Rosenior had (just) been installed as manager at Plainmoor but Torquay were in the process of a takeover.
A local consortium completed the purchase and installed Colin Lee as chief executive, who, in turn, appointed former Exeter assistant manager Paul Buckle as manager.
Cue much embarrassment for Rosenoir.
Brief tenure: It's unlikely Rosenior's short spell will ever be beaten
Steve Coppell - Manchester City - 33 days
Steve Coppell left Crystal Palace to take charge of Manchester City in October 1996.
However the former Manchester United player quit the club after just 33 days.
Manager for just six matches, Coppell cited the stress of the job as the reason for his departure.
Pressure: Steve Coppell stepped down as manager of Manchester City after just 33 days
More...
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2bJQAe56o
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
By Elliott Bretland
PUBLISHED:12:38, 7 August 2013| UPDATED:15:09, 7 August 2013 72 shares
45
View
comments
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen is set to be sacked as manager of Anzhi Makhachkala after just 16 days in charge.
The Dutchman, who left Old Trafford this summer after the appointment of David Moyes as manager, replaced Guus Hiddink in the Anzhi hotseat just over two weeks ago.
However Meulensteen failed to win any of his first four Russian Premier League matches, despite Anzhi splashing a considerable amount of cash on the signings of Dinamo Moscow's Aleksander Kokorin and Zenit St Petersburg's Igor Denisov this summer.
Facing the axe: Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen, pictured with Sir Alex Ferguson, is set to be sacked by Anzhi after just 16 days in charge
According to reports in Russia, Anzhi owner Suleiman Kerimov has lost patience with the club amidst rumours of unrest among the team's biggest stars.
It's believed the Russian billionaire is planning to put the entire squad up for sale with a view to focusing on a new side filled with more local, younger talent.
Konstantin Remchukov, chairman of the Anzhi board of directors, announced Meulensteen's imminent departure on Twitter on Tuesday, also stating the club's annual budget will be slashed considerably from around £120million to just under £50m.
Changes: Anzhi owner Suleiman Kerimov is planning to put the entire squad up for sale
Anzhi's biggest signing: Samuel Eto'o, whose contract ends next summer, is the world's highest earning footballer, raking in £350,000 a week
There are rumours, however, that Kerimov's plans to scale down are because he recently lost a large amount of money on the stock market.
Having spent millions of pounds securing the signatures of the likes of Brazil legend Roberto Carlos and former Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o in recent years, Kerimov's change of heart has plunged the future of a number of the club's top players into doubt.
The likes of Willian, Lassana Diarra and Christopher Samba - who re-signed for the club from QPR this summer after an ill-fated spell at Loftus Road - may all have to find new clubs over the coming month.
Despite the expected overhaul, it's believed Eto'o may stay at the club for the rest of the season and leave when his contract runs out next summer.
Doubts: Christopher Samba re-signed for Anzhi this summer from QPR but faces an uncertain future
Following his brief tenure, Meulensteen joins the likes of Brian Clough and Steve Coppell in an infamous, exclusive group of bosses who lasted just a few weeks in certain managerial offices.
Former Anzhi coach Gadzi Gadzhiyev, who turns 68 in October, is expected to replace Meulensteen.
A SELECTION OF FOOTBALL'S SHORTEST MANAGERIAL REIGNS
Facing the sack after just 16 days in the Anzhi hotseat, Rene Meulensteen joins an exclusive group of managers who were gone almost before they'd begun.
Sportsmail takes a look at some of the shortest managerial reigns in football history...
Brian Clough - Leeds United - 44 days
Clough took over at Elland Road in 1974, replacing new England manager Don Revie in the Leeds hotseat.
During his time at Derby County, Clough had a bitter feud with Revie and this continued when he took over from him.
Old Big 'Ead didn't like Revie's players and they didn't like him.
Unfortunately for the former Middlesbrough and Sunderland striker, Bremner and Co got their way and he he was forced out after just six weeks. The spell is the subject of David Peace's book The Damned Utd.
Clough had the last laugh however, guiding Nottingham Forest to two European Cups in 1979 and 1980.
Damned: Brian Clough was manager of Leeds United for just 44 days having never got on with the players
Leroy Rosenior - Torquay United - 10 minutes
The shortest of all managerial reigns and one that will surely never be beaten.
Former Brentford and Gloucester City boss Rosenior had (just) been installed as manager at Plainmoor but Torquay were in the process of a takeover.
A local consortium completed the purchase and installed Colin Lee as chief executive, who, in turn, appointed former Exeter assistant manager Paul Buckle as manager.
Cue much embarrassment for Rosenoir.
Brief tenure: It's unlikely Rosenior's short spell will ever be beaten
Steve Coppell - Manchester City - 33 days
Steve Coppell left Crystal Palace to take charge of Manchester City in October 1996.
However the former Manchester United player quit the club after just 33 days.
Manager for just six matches, Coppell cited the stress of the job as the reason for his departure.
Pressure: Steve Coppell stepped down as manager of Manchester City after just 33 days
More...
- Play MailOnline £1million fantasy football... and take on Jamie Redknapp
- Former Man United coach Meulensteen takes up Anzhi role alongside Hiddink
- Samba seals Russian return to Anzhi as relegated QPR start reducing hefty wage bill (£100,000 a week is a good start...)
- Manchester United start talks with Everton over landing £23m Fellaini as Fabregas hopes fade
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2bJQAe56o
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Comment