Swindon Town caretakers soon depart madhouse

Since the turn of the century, Swindon Town have had eight 'permanent' managers although in truth they have only been caretakers at a madhouse.

Maurice Malpas this morning stepped through an exit door following the path taken by Paul Sturrock, Dennis Wise, Iffy Onuora, Andy King (twice), Roy Evans, Colin Todd and Jimmy Quinn.

Of course not all were sacked.

Todd, Wise and Sturrock went on to bigger and better places, but their exits did little to dissuade the notion that Swindon is the most unstable club in the west – and possibly the Football League too.

Consistency is the hallmark of any successful organisation – it is no coincidence that two of the longest serving managers in Europe are Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

Swindon badly need stability.

They are not helped by a support that has a level of expectancy not present at other clubs of a similar standing.

Swindon's brief journey to the Premier League in the early nineties appears to have emboldened the County Ground faithful with a desire for success beyond the club's means.

Swindon have not been in the relegation zone for any period this season yet the calls for Malpas to go have long been loud.

However, the Scot may have set a record by becoming the first manager to face the axe after defeat in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie (a 2-0 defeat at Brighton).

That, coupled by FA Cup embarrassment at Histon, sealed his fate.

Personable to those who got to know him, Malpas' public relations skills were not great.

It is not in his nature to beat the drum and he spoke honestly of team selection mistakes. That was candid but it opened the door to further criticism.

Swindon need a man who, while not merely pandering to the fans, is able to get results and keep morale high when things aren't going to plan.

At least Robins fans can console themselves in the knowledge that under chairman Andrew Fitton they appear – at last – to have a stable boardroom.

That in itself will attract potential managers to apply for the County Ground hotseat.

It is a no-brainer to say Swindon need to pick the right man.

But when the board does appoint, most of all it must learn the lessons of the past and stand firmly behind its man – through rough and smooth.