It’s no fun being a football manager, especially when times are hard.
Just ask most of the 16 coaches who saw their sides defeated in Europa League football games tonight and they will testify to that.
AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella for one.
After three Serie A defeats on the bounce, and a big summer spending spree behind him, he could ill afford a home goalless draw with AEK Athens.
The betting odds on him surviving much longer in the post have just been cut that bit shorter, despite their domination in the San Siro.
Goalkeeper Giannis Anestis’ heroics may yet prove his downfall.
For Anestis in Italy, read Bertrand Traore in England.
For as well as Montella, there’s another fine footballer from his playing pomp (now turned manager) under every inch the same pressure.
Yes, the focus on Everton chief Ronald Koeman is just as intense.
After a woeful month in the Premier League, this evening’s outcome was something he too could have done without: a Europa League loss at home to Lyon – one which leaves them bottom of Group E
Whether or not this competition is an unwanted distraction for the Toffees, victory at Goodison Park would really have given the club a lift.
Just like Montella may rue the name Anestis if fortunes do not turn around quickly, so Koeman could be ultimately left cursing match-winner Traore or the woodwork which Gylfi Sigurdsson struck when the tie was level.
Like Milan, Everton spent big in the summer – £140 million to be precise – so their troubles are less likely to be tolerated by fans, nor at board level.
It’s easy to feel right now that Montella and Koeman are one big defeat away from the sack.
On this match day three of group matches, spare a thought too for Macedonian minnows FK Vardar, thrashed at home 6-0 by Real Sociedad in another of tonight’s ties.
Cedomir Janevski will likely feel as upset and angry as Koeman and Montella right now but, despite the demolition, his job is not under threat.
Funny how football works isn’t it!
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