Sunday 9th April, 4:30pm
Liverpool @ 9/5
Arsenal @ 11/8
Draw @ 11/4
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The Night Manager was an inexplicably successful BBC TV programme. Sure, for the most part it was glossy, Sunday evening, escapist fare; but it also committed some far-fetched, egregious sins – such as expecting viewers to believe that Tom Hiddleston could convincingly beat somebody up in a pub.
When news of a second series was announced recently, I wondered if the plot this time round might involve Tom Hiddleston waltzing implausibly into another dubious institution full of dodgy deals, dark money, and over-the-top characters? A Premier League football club, for example? Would that be a more or less ridiculous premise than the first series?
A night manager is expected to be able to carry-out a wide range of tasks in a calm, reliable, and confident manner. But following a flurry of top flight managerial sackings, have the nervous club boards installed candidates who are in possession of such qualities? Have they got their fixer? Their night manager? And have they tied him to a long-term contract?
Or is the individual they have taken-on – to borrow a term from the glossary of cricket – merely a stop-gap: a night-watchman? Someone to plug a leak, quickly fill a void; but who is also, ultimately, disposable at the end of the season?
One of the most fascinating games this weekend is Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton – a 3pm kick-off on Saturday. Despite Spurs still being perched one rung and four points above The Seagulls in the Premier League table, the general perception seems to be that – if the present momentum is maintained – that pecking order will soon be reversed.
After Antonio Conte spectacularly threw his toys out of the Tottenham pram a few weeks ago, and he and his belongings were promptly shipped back to Italy, it was discovered that a rubber chicken had been left behind; hidden away under the sofa. And Daniel Levy decided to make it head coach.
Cristian Stellini’s last non-assistant managerial role was for Serie C side Alessandria back in 2017. He was sacked a few months later following a run of poor results. Nevertheless, it is now his job to nudge Tottenham Hotspur, one of the biggest clubs in Europe, back into the crucially lucrative Champions League zone.
And in the adjacent dugout on Saturday will be Roberto de Zerbi; a manager who is, quite simply, one of the hottest properties in world football.
Despite only being appointed in September, after leaving war-affected Shakhtar Donetsk – and with no pre-season; no Cucurella, Bissouma, or Maupay – he has somehow managed to craft an excellent campaign. Sixth in the table, with just one defeat in all competitions in 2023, and an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley to come; it is clear that this Italian knows what he is doing.
I wonder if Daniel Levy – perhaps inspired by the ludicrous plotting of The Night Manager – will attempt some sort of dastardly switcheroo with the two managers? Change the HOME and AWAY markings on the dugouts and claim that de Zerbi is, henceforth, now his head coach? But perhaps Levy isn’t really an evil genius…he just likes the look…
An unexpected development this week has seen Chelsea, like Spurs, move to appoint a night-watchman. In Frank Lampard they will have a manager whose main selling-point appears to be that he lives near the stadium. However, unlike Spurs, Chelsea have no chance of making the top four.
So, while they negotiate how much money to splurge on Julian Nagelsmann or Luis Enrique, sending an old favourite out to the crease to face a few late deliveries in the fading light of the season, could actually be one of Todd Boehly’s more sensible decisions.
Liverpool v Arsenal concludes Gameweek 30 on Sunday. One manager whose stock has never been higher, against a manager whose stock has never been lower. You could say they’re like day and night, these managers…
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