Chris Sutton certainly can’t be accused of avoiding controversy.
The former Blackburn, Chelsea and Celtic striker has waged war with Roy Keane, attracted attention for his part in the Scottish League Cup draw, and told a co-commentator he was “embarrassed for him”. And that’s just in the last month.
And for his latest trick, he has claimed Swansea City should have passed on Michael Bradley and appointed Steve Bruce or Ryan Giggs instead.
“Is Bob Bradley better qualified than Steve Bruce and Ryan Giggs to get this job? I don’t think so,” Sutton told the BBC, before suggesting British managers don’t get a fair crack of the whip.
.@5liveSport plenty of good British managers out there who deserve a chance! Demoralising for British coaches to see no way through…👍⚽️
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) October 3, 2016
Steve Bruce, Michael O Neil or Giggs. Wish Bradley well though he's a tough job on⚽️👍 https://t.co/sLLsBYzryz
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) October 3, 2016
So, how did people react to Sutton claiming a man with four matches under his belt as a manager would be a better option than someone who has taken charge of Chicago Fire, New York/New Jersey MetroStars, Chivas USA, The United States Men’s National Team, the Egypt Men’s National Team, Stabæk and Le Havre?
Well, they decided to point out just that.
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/rvFZMNy7qu
— Ben McAleer (@BenMcAleer1) October 4, 2016
'Is Bradley better qualified than Giggs?asks Sutton.That's Bradley who's managed 2 national teams&3 leagues vGiggs who hasn't managed at all
— Simon Austin (@sport_simon) October 3, 2016
In fairness to Sutton, he did try to clarify his argument by saying Giggs is a better option because he knows the league.
We’re confused, though. If that is the main qualifier, why did he also name Michael O’Neill, who has no Premier League games under his belt as a manager and just five as a player?
Hmm. Maybe Sutton is the one who’s confused.
https://twitter.com/danielstorey85/status/783006770025422856
https://twitter.com/JasonLeMiere/status/783006189374365696
Chris Sutton is a tool. Giggs has no credentials. Bradley is an established experienced manager. However neither would guarantee survival
— N (@nafycagel) October 4, 2016
There’s no guarantee that Bradley will keep Swansea in the Premier League, of course, and indeed the club’s own Supporters’ Trust was none too pleased with the way the managerial change was handled.
But that doesn’t mean rookie Giggs, or even for Bruce, who has twice suffered relegation from the Premier League, would necessarily have represented a better option.
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