Does a change of manager bring a change of fortune?

As Portsmouth and Chelsea both wave goodbye to Tony Adams and Luiz Felipe Scolari, we look at recent departures and the impact that a change of manager can have on a club.

February 2009

Guus Hiddink replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari who replaced Avram Grant
How they were doing: After a great start to the season Chelsea soon stuttered under the Brazilian World Cup winner. The Blues' regularly struggled to break teams down and their home form became atrocious. The 86-game unbeaten home record was shattered and the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United and a 0-0 home draw with Hull saw the end of Big Phil's reign.
How they are doing now: Still too early to say. In many ways they have replaced like for like, swapping a top international manager with limited knowledge at club level, for a top international manager with limited knowledge at club level. Guus Hiddink will have to turn things around quickly if he is to win silverware this season. A failure to do so and his personal friendship with Roman Abramovich may not save him – as Avram Grant found out.
Verdict: Lost the league, but will be hard to beat in Europe.

? to replace Tony Adams who replaced Harry Redknapp
How they were doing: Under Harry Redknapp, Pompey were flying. He established them as a force in the top flight, won the FA Cup and qualified for Europe. Tony Adams' reign was doomed from the start. The former assistant manager couldn't take Pompey to the next level – especially when key players were sold from under his feet, and poor league form eventually led to him getting the chop.
How they are doing now: Portsmouth are at a pivotal point in their season. A lot depends on who comes in as full-time manager. If they fail to pick up points quickly, then they will be in serious trouble.
Verdict: Relegation contenders.

December 2008

Sam Allardyce replaced Paul Ince
How they were doing: Paul Ince had a torrid time at Blackburn. Appointed in the summer after Mark Hughes' departure, Incey failed to get results as Blackburn became the whipping boys of the league.
How they are doing now: Sam Allardyce came in and has turned Rovers into a robust unit, picking up points at every turn. They may play more like Bolton than the Blackburn of old, but crucially they are on the road to recovery.
Verdict: They'll survive.

Ricky Sbragia replaced Roy Keane
How they were doing: Roy Keane shocked the footballing world by quitting as Sunderland manager in December 2008. The move came as a particular surprise because Sunderland hadn't started the season badly, picking up 15 points from 15 games. However, prior to leaving the club Keane had presided over three straight defeats, including a 4-1 home loss to Bolton.
How they are doing now: Ricky Sbragia was appointed caretaker manager in the wake of Keane's departure and after an impressive series of results was given the job on a permanent basis. Some fans still crave a big name appointment but under Sbragia Sunderland have been quietly climbing the Premier League table.
Verdict: Should finish safely in mid-table

October 2008

Harry Redknapp replaced Juande Ramos
How they were doing: Aside from winning the Carling Cup last season, Spurs' league form under Juande Ramos was horrendous. This season the Spaniard led Tottenham to their worst ever start to a league campaign. After eight matches Ramos was sacked and while Redknapp moved to White Hart Lane, Ramos was somehow given the Real Madrid job.
How they are doing now: Harry made an immediate impact in North London, getting results and importantly, lifting Tottenham out of the relegation zone. Since those heady Autumnal days Spurs have struggled. Currently only two points above the relegation zone, Tottenham are very much in a dog-fight.
Verdict: Plenty of work still to do.

September 2008

Joe Kinnear replaced Kevin Keegan
How they were doing: Sadly for the Geordie faithful the second coming of the Messiah ended with a whimper. Despite Newcastle picking up four points from their first three games Keegan decided that he could no longer work with Mike Ashley and other members of the board saying: "...a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want."
How they are doing now: No one could have prediceted Joe Kinnear's appointment as interim manager. Kinnear had been in the wilderness since his ill-fated display at Nottingham Forest ended in 2004 but Ashley clearly thought he was the right man for the job. He has since guided Newcastle to relative safety, but will now face a spell away from the dugout after receiveing news that he needed a heart bypass operation.
Verdict: Even with Kinnear's absence Newcastle will be OK.

Gianfranco Zola replaced Alan Curbishley
How they were doing: Alan Curbishley performed a minor miracle when he saved West Ham from relegation in 2007, as they won seven of their last nine games. However, things turned sour over the summer when two of the club's top players - Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney – were sold to Sunderland. Curbishley accused the club of making significant player decisions without involving him and tendered his resignation.
How they are doing now: West Ham plumped for managerial novice Gianfranco Zola as their new manager. One of Zola's first acts was to poach assistant manager Steve Clarke from Chelsea and together the two have moulded West Ham into an impressive unit. Hammers fans will be hoping that come the end of the season Zola and Clarke won't be swapping Upton Park for Stamford Bridge.
Verdict: Despite worries off the pitch, West Ham can look forward to a prosperous future