English football club York have announced that Jackie McNamara is to step down as manager and, after a string of poor results, the news came as no surprise.
However, what did catch people off guard is that McNamara is still at the club. Huh?
Let’s back up a bit. Prior to York City’s latest game against Braintree, the club issued this statement: “It has been decided that, if the team fails to gain a positive result at Braintree Town on Saturday, the York City manager will tender his resignation.”
Odd enough, right? Well the Minstermen came mightily close to a win, but missed out on three positive points thanks to a late penalty from Braintree’s Lee Barnard.
And so the club released another statement, announcing that Jackie would step down, but with this caveat: “In order to assist the managerial transition period and to accommodate a thorough identification, interview and appointment process, the chairman has asked Jackie McNamara to train and prepare the team until a suitable candidate has been determined.
“This process should be completed within two weeks.”
It’s all a bit farcical.
11:00AM: Jackie McNamara sacked as York boss.
11:01AM: Jackie McNamara appointed caretaker manager at York.
ð— Coral (@Coral) October 10, 2016
So… is he sacked or isn’t he?
York City appear to have sacked Jackie McNamara but asked him to stay on until they appoint his replacement. #bonkers
— Steve Wilson (@SteveWilson1967) October 10, 2016
Well, he knows the job better than anybody.
York have sacked Jackie McNamara but have asked him to take training until they find a replacement. That is amazing.
— Benjamin Wills (@_BenWills) October 10, 2016
Jackie, meet your replacement… Jackie.
Jackie McNamara is to leave his role as York City manager…but not until a replacement has been found ð¤ #ycfc pic.twitter.com/uQ1OTD8AwH
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) October 10, 2016
Certainly nobody was surprised to see him go.
Surprise of the week York City manager gone !!â½ï¸
— Steve Thompson (@TommoTweets) October 10, 2016
But most people were surprised to see him stay, if you see what we mean.
Jackie McNamara leaving York but continuing to train the team until they find a replacement will not be bettered as a news story this week.
— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) October 10, 2016
Very strange.
