Bolton's Gary Megson and The Chuckle Meter

Bolton’s just-fired manager Gary Megson didn’t help himself in the job, did he?


Megson, who seems to want to fight the world, is one of those blokes who can’t relax; who never smiles and who can’t see the funny side of being in an impossible job.

He kept Bolton in the Premier League last season but he went, not because his team’s in the drop zone, but because he slagged off the fans.

Megson didn’t think he needed the supporters on his side but all managers of poor teams who struggle have to make an effort to get the fans onside because if they don’t then they are fighting not only the opposition but their own camp.

Managers can’t win. The only certainty is the sack – unless you are Fergie – and the best policy is to try to enjoy the ride. The real difficulty comes when you are perceived to be too old to do a decent job anymore – like George Graham.

We should have the Chuckle Meter – a sliding scale of each manager’s ability to laugh at himself and the job. For instance:

Top three in the Chuckle Meter Stakes

1. Harry Redknapp – even when the taxman is after him he can still find time to put it all in perspective and chuckle. The laughter also hides the fact that he’s a great man-manager and doesn’t lose his cool.

2. Roy Hodgson – Roy losing his temper is like your mum trying to discipline the dog. Lots of finger-wagging but we know she doesn’t mean it.

3. Arsene Wenger – controversial this one but watch him. A supreme gentleman, articulate and aloof but always courteous, except when the team is ballsing it up against mediocre opposition like Liverpool and need a kick up the shorts.

More Chuckle Meter contenders greatly received...