EPL managers fear trophy curse

Managers curse ... trophy-winning managers in England have found themselves sacked. Source: Paul Ellis / AFP

Disgruntled Arsenal fans have long questioned how Arsene Wenger has retained his job despite the Gunners going nine years without a trophy.

It seems the French manager has the right formula ... don't win a trophy.

Roberto Mancini led Manchester City to their first league title in 44 years, but almost exactly a year later found himself given the boot after only being able to secure second in the EPL and losing the FA Cup final to lowly Wigan.

Last season's FA Cup-winning manager and Chelsea legend Roberto di Matteo was unceremoniously dumped six months after the Blues' triumph over Liverpool in world football's oldest knockout competition.

The Reds weren't exempt from the manager's curse after they won the Carling Cup final against Championship side Cardiff, Scot Kenny Dalglish sacked less than three months later.

And to round out the curse is former Reading boss Brian McDermott, whose Royals won the 2011-2012 Championship, ensuring their participation in this year's Premier League - although it was shortlived.

McDermott was fired in March after a run of four straight defeats left Reading - now relegated - in trouble in the bottom three.

It comes as David Moyes, a man who never won a trophy in his 11 years at Everton, was named as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement at Manchester United.

Perhaps Wenger has been more wily than we've been giving him credit.

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