Sheffield Wednesday Sack Xisco Munoz After Poor Start to Championship Season
Sheffield Wednesday have sacked manager Xisco Munoz after he failed to win any of his 10 Championship games in charge. The Spaniard arrived at Hillsborough to replace Darren Moore, who left in June after leading them to promotion from League One. However, Munoz picked up just two points as Owls manager as the club made its worst ever start to a season.
Munoz’s Final Game in Charge
Munoz’s final game in charge was the 1-0 league defeat at West Brom on Tuesday. Under-21s boss Neil Thompson will take charge for Saturday’s home game against Huddersfield. Munoz had guided Watford to promotion to the Premier League in 2020-21, his only previous spell managing in England.
Wednesday fell to a narrow defeat by Southampton in the first game of the Championship season and then succumbed to further losses against Hull, Preston and Cardiff. A 0-0 draw with Yorkshire rivals Leeds got them on the board, but their only other point came in a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough on 19 September. The Boro match was briefly halted as fans threw tennis balls on to the pitch in protest against Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership and defeats followed against Swansea, Sunderland and the Baggies.
Chansiri’s Unhappiness with Fans
Last week Chansiri said he would not put any more money into the club and was unhappy with treatment towards him and his family from some fans. Munoz’s only triumph in his unhappy spell came via a penalty shootout against League Two Stockport in the first round of the EFL Cup, but they were then knocked out on penalties by fourth-tier Mansfield in the second round.
Backroom Team Departs
Xisco’s backroom team – Miguel Munoz, Miguel Gomila, Roberto Cuesta Roman and Antonello Brambilla – have also departed.
Conclusion
It is a sad end for Xisco Munoz at Sheffield Wednesday, who had been tasked with leading the club back to the Premier League after their promotion from League One last season. However, his tenure was marred by poor results and fan protests against Chansiri’s ownership of the club, and he ultimately paid the price for his side’s poor form with his dismissal after just 10 games in charge.