Firing a manager is often more about maintaining the illusion of control

Writer Leander Schaerlaeckens argues that modern football clubs fire managers largely based on emotion and optics rather than analytics or logic, primarily to maintain an illusion of control. He points to Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, who faces intense scrutiny and potential dismissal after the club slipped into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time since 1986.

Schaerlaeckens compares Carrick's precarious position to historic examples like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who both survived early turbulence to achieve major success. The author contends that despite advanced data in player recruitment, clubs still rely on reactionary gambles when making managerial decisions.