LMA boss Bevan: We'll debate manager sacking window

So far this season, there hasn't been a single Premier League manager sacked. Usually by now, there has been a handful of elite bosses booted out, but Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers Association, may have some answers as to why that is not the case.

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Bevan is leading the campaign to introduce a ''standard managers contract'', a sort of pre-nuptial agreement so that they, and the clubs, know where they stand - which can avoid expensive litigation if things turn nasty.

This week, the LMA will debate internally, produce a report and then assess feedback from the managers as to whether a 'transfer window' for sacking managers should be introduced. Two managers have requested this assessment and it will now be discussed at the LMA's monthly technical meeting on Friday.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN Soccernet, Bevan has explained how he is attempting to bring managerial stability into football.

''Over 12 clubs in the Football League have embraced the standard contract or key clauses from it,'' he said. "The Standard Contract was completed in the summer utilising the advice of three legal firms and Queen's Counsel, with equal benefits for clubs as well as managers and coaches being the focus. The contract is also constantly being reviewed to cater for all situations.

"We are trying to forge an open and honest relationship between the clubs and their managers and coaches. We are endeavouring to bring into play a common sense mechanism between managers/coaches and the club that, in the event of the parting of the ways, there is no need for arbitration or even courts, and this can result in a significant decrease in costs.

"Last season, around 150 managers and coaches left their positions, and 45% of them resulted in some sort of legal process to settle the contract termination. I believe that in three or four years, many more clubs will move towards the standard contract as everyone will see the benefit of it.

"Standard contracts promote goodwill and trust between both clubs and their managers. It promotes clarity and consistency from club to club. It saves significant and immediate savings in legal costs and reduces risk of drafting errors and mistakes."

Bevan believes that clubs should provide their managers with a stable working environment and is ready to debate whether the 'window' idea will help.

"I don't think it is a coincidence that no Premier League manager has been sacked so far this season, as clubs focus more on the need for experienced managers and coaches,'' he said. "Perhaps the biggest issue the LMA face is the tenure of football managers. The LMA highlight the importance of clubs looking to the medium- and long-term with their managerial appointments and would therefore like to see clubs provide a stable environment in which managers can excel in their role.

"At our monthly technical meeting, we will be reconsidering the pros and cons for a managers transfer window; once debated, we will present to the managers for consideration. Going forward the National Football Centre will have a significant effect on helping managers to be better prepared for management and increasing the likelihood of clubs being able to look more medium-term than sometimes too short-term.

"We are looking at all areas of football management, the training and development of young managers, the recruitment process, standard contracts for all LMA members and ways to improve the communication process between the club, the manager and the fans, setting clear, realistic targets and then managing expectations. The LMA are constantly highlighting the importance of continuity in the long term success of a football club.

"It is important to note that, in many instances, a manager does not have to win the league or a cup competition in order to be successful. For example, promotion, survival or even becoming established in a league are alternate examples of a manager succeeding."

Bevan also believes that managers need time to develop - something that is not always the norm in today's culture.

"The key point here is, irrespective of whether you have someone who is entering their first spell in management or, alternatively, you have a manager with years of experience, the key point is that they are given an appropriate level of time and support by the club to succeed in the role, '' he said. "A manager needs time to develop at a football club and build relationships with the various stakeholders. Managers need to have the opportunity to put their own stamp on the team, whether it be from transfer, youth development, tactics etc.

"It is important for football clubs not to respond to short-term results and look at the bigger picture and take example from the clubs who have achieved success by having continuity and showing support to their manager."