Seven brutal managerial sackings - like Tony Adams at his son's fifth birthday party

From Tony Adams being sacked while at his son's fifth birthday party to Avram Grant being left stranded in Wigan - the most brutal managerial sackings leave a bad taste in the mouth

Rhys Daly Senior Sports Reporter

14:05, 30 Aug 2022

An apologetic AFC Bournemouth manager Scott Parker acknowledges the fans after during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on August 27, 2022 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Scott Parker's time as Bournemouth head coach has come to an end(Image: Getty Images)

While managerial sackings are an inevitable part of professional football - the manner in which some bosses have been let go are enough to leave a very bad taste in the mouth.

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From Tony Adams being sacked while at his son's fifth birthday party to Avram Grant almost being left stranded in Wigan, departing bosses have often been treated all too cruelly.

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On the back of Scott Parker not getting a chance to recover from Bournemouth's 9-0 defeat against Liverpool - Daily Star Sport has taken a look at eight of the most brutal sackings in history.

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Scott Parker

In terms of their most recent result - Parker is one manager who can't have any complaints about his dismissal until looking at the bigger picture.

The former England midfielder left Fulham to take over at a relegated side in the form of the Cherries and guided them back to the Premier League with automatic promotion in his first season.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Head Coach Scott Parker of Bournemouth after his sides 9-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on August 27, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

Scott Parker of Bournemouth said that the club needed to make a decision(Image: Getty Images)

Were Bournemouth right to sack Scott Parker? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Having beaten Aston Villa, Bournemouth have only lost to Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, two of which were away from home.

Although it might well have been his comments about the ambition at the club that got him the sack, Ralph Hasenhuttl has proved that 9-0 defeats are not always terminal.

Tony Adams

Tony Adams was dismissed from his role as Portsmouth manager back in 2009 - and informed via phone call while at his son's fifth birthday party.

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PORTSMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 06: Tony Adams, manager of Portsmouth FC, attends a press conference at Portsmouth FC training ground on February 06, 2009 in Eastleigh, England.

Tony Adams was sacked by Portsmouth while at his son's fifth birthday party(Image: Getty Images)

Adams left the club 16th in the table having won just four of his 22 matches in charge and falling out with executive chairman Peter Storrie.

Adams told The News of getting the call at his Cotswold home: "I said to Peter: 'I’m not going to drive all the way there for you to tell me directly I haven’t got a job any more'.

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"It’s kind of what I wanted anyway, it was only a matter of time."

Gus Poyet

Gus Poyet found out about his sacking by Brighton and Hove Albion while covering Spain's Confederations Cup match with Nigeria live on BBC Sport.

Gus Poyet went on to appeal his sacking - but it was rejected(Image: BBC Sport)

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The TV production team handed him a print out of their statement as he sat in the studio with Mark Chapman and Efan Ekoku.

He said that: "not being able to talk to the players was the hardest thing" and claimed to have had no previous correspondence from the club which they denied. The decision to sack him was upheld after he appealed.

Frank de Boer

Frank de Boer became the first manager to ever win four consecutive Eredivisie titles during a stunning spell at Ajax, joining Crystal Palace after a short stint with Inter Milan.

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BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Frank de Boer head coach / manager of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Burnley and Crystal Palace at Turf Moor on September 10, 2017 in Burnley, England.

Frank de Boer was called the "the worst manager in the history of the Premier League"(Image: Getty Images)

The former Barcelona defender wanted time to implement his style having been handpicked to replace Sam Allardyce - but lasted only four Premier League fixtures.

Despite the disappointing results, being sacked 10 weeks into a three-year deal feels far harsher than most sackings.

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Jose Mourinho later said that the Dutchman was "the worst manager in the history of the Premier League".

Avram Grant

Avram Grant was sacked by West Ham just minutes after their defeat against Wigan led to their relegation to the Championship - and his bosses didn't even want him to take the coach back to London.

Avram Grant was sacked by West Ham minutes after their relegation(Image: Getty Images)

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Former Hammer Danny Gabbidon told BT Sport: "The manager actually got sacked straight after that result, Avram Grant."

Adding: "We found out that he had been sacked and the owners actually didn't want him to go on the bus on the way back."

Concluding: "It was humiliating. I think Scott Parker was the captain at the time and I think he had to have a word with the owners and say that they can't treat someone like that."

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Sir Bobby Robson

Sir Bobby Robson was unceremoniously relieved of his duties as Fulham manager back in 1968 - and found out while reading newspaper billboards a few miles from Craven Cottage.

Bobby Robson managed Fulham back in 1968 having played for them over 350 times(Image: Getty Images)

The late icon said in 2001: "I was driving over Putney Bridge and thought to myself: 'Poor bloke'. Then I realised there was no other Robsons around and it was me out of work.

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"That was how I found out - by reading it on a billboard. It still hurts."

He went on to enjoy an incredibly successful managerial career that included trophies with Porto, PSV and Barcelona.

Robert Sackey

Robert Sackey was removed from his role as Ghana's U20 Women's team coach back in 2013 - and took it very well indeed after finding out about it by email.

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Head coach Robert Sackey of Ghana looks on prior to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Japan 2012 Group D match between Ghana and Germany at Hiroshima Big Arch on August 23, 2012 in Hiroshima, Japan.

Robert Sackey was proud to have coached for his country of Ghana(Image: Getty Images)

He said at the time: "I have received an official email confirming my dismissal as the coach of the team. I have no grudge with anybody.I was given a job and the authorities feel my output was not good enough."

Adding: "I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve my nation."

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