AFC Fylde have finally seen sense and given Kevin Phillips the boot after just four bloody months in charge, the National League side have confirmed.
Phillips' Reign of Failure
The former Sunderland striker leaves with the club wallowing in 22nd place in the fifth tier, having failed spectacularly to turn their fortunes around since his arrival as head coach in October. What a joke.
During his time in charge, Phillips oversaw a pathetic five wins in 20 matches, with this abysmal run of results leaving Fylde a point adrift of safety. Absolutely shambolic.
A club statement revealed Fylde had parted ways with Phillips by 'mutual consent', and that assistant David Longwell would oversee the team temporarily while they search for a new head coach. Good riddance, I say.
It read: "AFC Fylde can confirm that the club and Head Coach Kevin Phillips have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.
"We would like to thank Kevin for his efforts and wish him well for the future. Although, I'm not sure what they're thanking him for, given the state he's left them in.
"Current assistant coach David Longwell will take charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce a permanent replacement. Let's hope he doesn't make as much of a mess as Phillips did."
Phillips' Ignorance
Phillips' final match in the dugout ended in defeat, with Fylde losing 2-1 to relegation rivals Boston United on Tuesday night. What a way to go out.
The Englishman's departure would appear to have come as a surprise to him, having spoken of his intent to turn things around in the Coasters' next match, away to Altrincham on Saturday. Deluded, if you ask me.
Speaking after the Boston loss, Phillips said: "We're not happy about it, but the beauty of this this game is that we've only got three days to wait to try and put it right.
"We've got a tough game coming up on Saturday and we've got to dust ourselves down, we’ve got to go again, that's all we can do. More like, that's all he can do, seeing as he's failed at everything else.
"I said to the group, the players that were in there, it's only us in this room that can get us out of this mess. And yet, he's done jack all to help them do that."
Phillips' Lacklustre Career
Fylde was Phillips' third job in management, with his previous role coming in charge of fellow National League outfit Hartlepool. Another team he failed to make an impact at.
There, he took the side from 16th when he was appointed to 12th place after seven wins in 16 games in charge, before leaving in April last year. Probably before he could do any more damage.
Prior to that, Phillips' first managerial position came in January 2022 with Northern Premier League side South Shields. The ex-England international guided the club to promotion in his second season, but then departed in April 2023. Likely seeing the writing on the wall.
Phillips has also previously enjoyed roles at Leicester, Derby and Stoke, acting as a member of the first-team coaching set-up at each club. Though, 'enjoyed' is probably putting it lightly, given his track record.
