Football failure - Sacking now part of game

If ever there was a reminder that Premier League football is a cut-throat, multibillion-dollar business, it was painfully obvious yesterday when the axe finally fell on David Moyes after less than a year as manager of Manchester United.

Having seen their shares plummet, investors are now rubbing hands in anticipation they will soar on the New York Stock Exchange. Unlike the growing ABU (Anybody But United) army of supporters that revel in the club’s misfortunes, investors see it as a money-making machine.

The sacking of Moyes is a salutary reminder of how cruel sport can be. As witnessed in Limerick hurling circles, things are just the same in Gaelic games or, for that matter, in rugby as Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara learned to his cost. The bottom line is all about performance, winning matches and making money.