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Forest Green have sacked Troy Deeney after just six matches in charge of the club. The former Watford star was appointed as manager of the League Two outfit on December 20th but has struggled to spark the club into life. He has received criticism for his brutal post-match interviews and was brutal after their defeat to Harrogate last weekend, later apologising for allowing his emotions to get the better of him.
Deeney joined Gloucestershire-based Forest Green in the summer as a player-coach but was thrown in at the deep end after manager David Horseman left the club by mutual consent before Christmas. The higher powers at New Lawn Stadium then opted to hand Deeney his first managerial role in a move that they hoped would breathe a new lease of life into the team.
Given that the ex-Birmingham City and Watford captain inherited the side whilst they were 23rd in the table, there was hope that the only way was up for The Green Devils. However, things have only gone from bad to worse with Deeney in charge, with the club now rock-bottom of the EFL. They have lost three and drawn three matches under him.
And Forest Green have now sacked the 35-year-old after he failed to lead the club to a win in his six matches in charge. Deeney leaves them seven points from safety and they are without a league victory since October 28.
The news of Deeney’s sacking comes just hours after the former centre-forward was handed a four-match suspension by the FA for using ‘improper language’ during his side’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Swindon Town last month. He was also fined £1,500.
The statement read: “Forest Green Rovers manager Troy Deeney has been banned from the touchline for four matches and fined following the EFL League Two fixture against Swindon Town on Friday 29 December 2023.
“It was alleged that during the 85th minute of the fixture, his behaviour and language leading to his dismissal was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening.
“It was further alleged that following his dismissal, his language towards a match official was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting. The charges were found proven and the sanctions were imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.”
It remains to be seen how positive of a send-off Deeney receives from his players given that he was incredibly outspoken and critical of their performances.
The ex-Walsall star never shied away from revealing what he felt about his team's displays, even calling out specific players with Fankaty Dabo’s performance last weekend labelled as "awful" by Deeney.
