Troy Deeney SACKED by Forest Green after only six games in charge following ‘babies’ rant at players
TROY DEENEY has been sacked by Forest Green after just SIX matches in charge.
The Watford legend, and SunSport columnist, was only appointed head coach of the League Two side on December 20.
Deeney, 35, made 18 appearances for Forest Green this season following his arrival as player-coach in the summer, scoring four times.
But he has not featured since he was named boss last month, and Sun Sport exclusively revealed that his time at the New Lawn Stadium was over.
After Sun Sport exclusively broke the news, Forest Green confirmed it with a club statement at 9:38pm.
Dale Vince, Chairman of Forest Green Rovers said: "These are decisions nobody likes to make, but we have acted this way to give FGR the best possible chance of improving results and climbing the league table. We wish Troy all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts."
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Dan Connor will take charge of Forest Green for Saturday’s match at Gillingham.
Forest Green have drawn three and lost three of his six games at the helm.
They are bottom of the fourth tier, seven points from safety.
The strugglers were beaten 2-0 at home to Harrogate on Saturday, leading to the ex-Birmingham City forward to lay down a few home truths to the team.
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Deeney claimed that there were “too many babies” in his squad and stated that he would rather watch Antiques Roadshow.
He also called defender Fankaty Dabo’s performance “awful”.
But the passionate star would later apologise to his players for criticising them, claiming that his emotions “can get the better of him”.
Deeney has been working tirelessly around the clock to try and transform the fortunes of the EFL’s bottom club.
He was set to bring in John Terry as part of his staff to help him as there was only one coach at Rovers.
And that meant that he was also unable to offer his experience on-field in his player-manager role.
He said this week: “If I come off the bench, who's going to make the subs? Because we've only got one coach.
“We're working hard at getting another striker in, but I did join in training [on Monday] and I've still got a little bit left, so we'll see.”
Meanwhile, Deeney’s day had already got off to a poor start after he was hit with a four-match touchline ban by the FA.
He was also fined after using “improper language” and receiving a red card during last month’s 2-1 loss at Swindon.
An FA statement said: “Forest Green Rovers manager Troy Deeney has been charged by the FA for two alleged breaches of its rules on language and behaviour as he was sent off during their game against Swindon Town.
“Deeney, who took over at Forest Green last month, was sent off in the 85th minute of the 2-1 away defeat on December 29.
“The FA alleges that Deeney’s language and behaviour were ‘improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening’ as he was sent off by referee Scott Simpson. “Deeney’s language towards a match official was also allegedly ‘improper and/or abusive and/or insulting’ after he received a red card.”
Now that will be held until he lands his next role in the dug-out.
Writing exclusively for The Sun ahead of his first game, Deeney explained why he could not turn down the opportunity despite relegation seemingly looming.
He said: “Some people have asked why I wanted to take over a club next to bottom in League Two for my first job in management — but I have never been one to turn down a challenge.
“I remember Paul Ince and Sol Campbell taking over at Macclesfield in similar circumstances and leading them to safety.
“It’s also true that there aren’t enough black and ethnic minority managers in English football.
“We’re still under-represented and we are less likely to get opportunities — even though I’m not sure how many black guys are applying for jobs at League Two level.”
And he also revealed his plan to try and bring out the nasty side of the renowned Vegan club.
He said: “The one thing everyone knows about us is that it’s a vegan club — and while it might have been funny the first time an opposition fan asked me if I wanted a steak bake or thrust a sausage roll at me, it soon wears off.
“We need to find a bit more nastiness. Without wanting to turn us into 80s Wimbledon, I want us to become horrible to play against.
“I’m going to keep playing until January, when Dale hopes to invest more in the squad and then I hope to gradually fade into the background as a player, rather than retiring altogether.
“Everyone has told me it will be extremely tough to be a player-manager but, for the time being, it’s ‘needs must’.”
But despite the warnings - not even Deeney would have expected it to be as ruthless as having just six matches to try and bring his plan to fruition.
Now Forest Green are searching for their third boss of the campaign having sacked Dave Horseman four weeks ago and replacing him with the ex-Premier League forward.
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He had arrived in July after a rollercoaster start to pre-season following last term’s relegation from League One.
Duncan Ferguson left the club in the summer, which saw Hannah Dingley's historic interim spell in charge, before that was ended when Horseman was appointed on July 17.