Exodus goes on as City focus turns to manager
With Trevor Sinclair and Stephen Jordan already confirmed to be leaving, Beasley is the biggest name among the six other players City have announced will be released.
Also out is veteran Tunisian defender Hatem Trabelsi, who started brightly after joining on a pay-per-play deal from Ajax but, like so many of Stuart Pearce’s signings, faded from view.
A third player to leave, Djamel Abdoun, never even made it as far as the starting line-up.
Young midfielder Ashley Williams, goalkeeper Laurence Matthewson and Nathan D’Laryea complete the eight to depart.
Their futures had already been determined before Pearce was axed on Monday, paying the price for a lack of discipline in his squad, a succession of poor buys and a woeful home record.
The club recorded the worst scoring tally of any top-flight team in English football history and failed to find the net in Barclays Premiership combat since New Year’s Day.
He said: “Losing your job is all part of football management and I knew it would have to happen one day.
“The previous manager had around £50 million (€73m) to spend and if the club is taken over the next manager may have £50m to spend, so in that sense I feel as though I have been a caretaker with no money to spend, getting the books balanced whilst keeping the club in the Premiership. But I do not regret taking the job.”
It’s understood the club want a European coach, with former Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal and current PSV manager Ronald Koeman the strongest candidates.
The continental brief could also include the likes of ex-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, former Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier — now enjoying a successful spell at Lyon — and one-time England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Preston boss Paul Simpson, Derby’s Billy Davies, ex-Fulham manager Chris Coleman, Blackburn’s Mark Hughes and ex-City boss Peter Reid have all been linked to the position.
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