Six owners who would have got rid of David Moyes

Manchester United fans may have been miffed with the debt burden the Glazer family (owners of the club) put on them, but there’s no doubt that they are among the most patient owners around. However, that patience is being tested to the limit with United losing three matches in a row under new manager David Moyes.

While it’s highly unlikely that the Scot will be sacked so early in the season, there are other owners who wouldn’t have batted an eyelid before terminating his contract. Here’s a list of those men:

Roman Abramovich: Abramovich has gone through eight managers since he bought Chelsea in June 2003. He picks famous men, gives them long contracts, lots of money to spend (usually also buys some players himself - like Andriy Shevchenko) and then if he sees a few results go bad — sacks them with a huge compensation package. Also, it doesn’t matter if you’ve won him the European Champions League or not. If he thinks you’re not cool enough… you’re history.

Vincent Tan: No one knew about him until he started out on a mission to change the Bluebirds into the Red Dragons. Then came the rift between Malky Mackay — manager of Cardiff City — and Tan. Mackay had led Cardiff to the Premier League and was a firm fan favourite. But then, he said that he needed to buy players when Tan clearly thought otherwise. A lot of dirty laundry was washed in the public thereafter and then, Tan did the unthinkable — he booed his own team — and got caught doing it. After this there was no looking back. Cardiff lost to Southampton and boom — Mackay was gone. In came Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

Daniel Levy: The Spurs owner is slightly patient compared than his counterparts but equally ruthless. Andre Villas-Boas was probably a sacking that may be justified but Harry Redknapp hardly deserved to go. Also, Levy sits in the stands with that stern schoolmaster’s face — emotionless. That in itself is a measure of how much scrutiny there is at Spurs.

The Real Madrid board: Vicente del Bosque won the La Liga — sacked after 48 hours. Fabio Capello ended a long trophy drought by winning the La Liga in 2007 — sacked for not winning it in style. Jupp Heynckes won them their first Champions League trophy since 1966 — sacked at end of season. Enough said.

Sheikh Mansoor: The Manchester City owner sacked Mark Hughes with Roberto Mancini sitting in the stadium — quite cunning. Then he gave Mancini a war-chest after which the Italian won him a title — this was unimaginable for City fans. A title? Oh my word. And then the season after he couldn’t win a major trophy, which in fact, is fine. He at least reached the FA Cup final. But a trophy a year is the minimum requirement at City. So, Mancini was sacked. Simple.

Ellis Short: The Sunderland owner is trigger-happy. Steve Bruce, then Martin O’Neill (who was brilliant) and then Paulo di Canio (who misfired). All too quick, all too impulsive. Ellis is a tough man.

Feel free to suggest other ‘ruthless’ owners we may have missed out on!