TOP 10: SUCCESSFUL MANAGERS WHO FAILED TO WIN OVER THE FANS

10. Rafa Benitez

A legend on Merseyside after winning the Champions League on that night in Istanbul, the Spaniard took charge at Inter Milan in the summer of 2010 but made a slow start to his tenure at the San Siro. Things perked up when the Serie A giants won the Club World Cup in December but when Benitez demanded new signings in the January transfer window, his appeals were not only rejected, he was sacked two days before Christmas.

9. Roberto di Matteo

Loved by the Chelsea fans, Di Matteo’s reign at Stamford Bridge did not go down too well with the one fan that matters – owner Roman Abramovich. The former Blues midfielder was sacked a few short months after leading the Londoners to Champions League glory in Munich last May – an achievement which eluded his beloved predecessor Jose Mourinho.

8. Raymond Domenech

Everything appeared to be tickety boo when he led France to the 2006 World Cup final only for Les Bleus to lose to Italy on penalties after Zinedine Zidane was controversially sent off. That was as good as it got for Domenech. France failed to qualify from the group stages at both the 2008 Euro finals and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he refused to shake hands with his opposite number in the final match of his tenure. Jose Mourinho once accused him of treating Claude Makelele like ‘a slave’ but

worst of all, his girlfriend proved that not Everybody Loves Raymond when he proposed to her live on television and she said ‘Non’.

7. Harry Redknapp

He led Portsmouth to the Premier League and then won the FA Cup while manager at Fratton Park. But ask any Pompey fan for their thoughts on ‘Arry and they won’t have a good word to say about him. Leaving the club to take charge just down the M27 at Southampton and then doing a midnight flit to Tottenham and taking the club’s best players with him has soured their views on the current QPR boss. Oddly, former maanger Alan Ball is still adored by Portsmouth supporters despite playing for and managing Saints.

6. Graeme Souness

Starred in the legendary Liverpool team of the 80s winning trophy after trophy after trophy for the Anfield club. The Scottish midfielder was feared by rival players for the uncompromising tackles and driving play which made him such a popular player with the Kop. But it all went wrong when he became the Reds manager in 1991 and the team struggled to reach former glories despite an FA Cup victory in 1992. Although it would be unfair to suggest he is reviled, the Souness legacy certainly took a big hit because of his sorry spell in the hotseat.

5. Steve Kean

Was promoted from within to take control at struggling Blackburn Rovers when Sam Allardyce was dismissed after a poor start to the season. But Ewood Park fans were never sold on Kean’s reign at the Lancashire club even when he steered them to safety by four points at the end of the year. Supporters campaigned for the Scot to be replaced and were infuriated when he was given a new deal before leading the club into the Championship. He was dismissed after three games this season with Rovers third in the table.

4. Paolo di Canio

No-one cared he allegedly has fascist leanings when he was leading Swindon to promotion from League Two and establishing them as a force in the higher level. It’s

probably fair to say that many Sunderland supporters don’t give a hoot about his political persuasions now he has secured Premier League safety for the Black Cats. But many Wearsiders were appalled by accusations about his supposed right wing beliefs and trade unionists and many fans have withdrawn their support for their club while he is in charge. Unconventional Di Canio also had a few rumbles with Robis’ players during his stint in the West Country.

3. Luis Aragones

Universally disliked after an unsavoury incident while he was in charge as Spain’s head coach. Aragones tried to motivate the then Arsenal midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes by using a racial slur against his Gunners team-mate Thierry Henry. That sparked an international storm but Aragones, who denied being a racist, escaped with a fine.

2. Roberto Mancini

Revered by City’s fans, stories emanating from the Etihad Stadium tell a different story when it comes to the Italian’s popularity with his players. Bust-ups with Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez hit the headlines as often as exciting City performances and a major clear out has probably been averted now that he has parted company with the deposed champions.

1. George Graham

Provides the template for unpopular managers who are successful. Loved at Arsenal, he moved up the Seven Sisters Road to take charge at Tottenham where fans wanted him out from the word go. Even when he led Spurs to Worthington Cup final victory in 1999 he was far from universally appreciated. Fans disliked his treatment of folk hero David Ginola and refused to sing Graham’s name, instead ironically chanting: ‘The man in the raincoat’s blue and white army’.