Stuart Pearce vowed to battle on as the pressure on his position increased following Manchester City’s 2-0 FA Cup quarterfinal defeat at 10-man Blackburn.
Pearce’s fate at Eastlands, where he has been in charge since replacing former England coach Kevin Keegan in March 2005, could be decided in the next few days after another poor performance by his side.
City, with four defeats in their last five games, entertain Chelsea on Wednesday before visiting Middlesbrough at the weekend. Defeat in those two games could spell the end for Pearce, whose team are fourth from bottom of the Premiership with a six-point safety cushion.
The club’s fans are clearly growing frustrated with Pearce and his players.
Some of the 7 000 travelling supporters at Ewood Park on Sunday chanted ”You’re not fit to wear the shirt,” as City slipped to defeat, while Pearce was confronted by one angry supporter in front of the opposition dug out.
The fan was wrestled to the ground before being dragged away, but not before telling Pearce exactly what he thought of his side’s performance as City failed despite playing with an extra man advantage for more than 20 minutes.
”Believe me, I’m as frustrated as that fan is,” said Pearce. ”It’s disappointing to hear the fans making those chants. They have got to get behind me and the team.
”The fans at the moment are going to be very vocal and call for the manager’s head if we don’t win games.
”At the moment it is Manchester City’s turn in the spotlight. It’s been West Ham lately. That’s the nature of the game. I can’t shrink away from that. But am I the worst manager in the league? Far from it.
”There’s not a great deal wrong with this club. But the results aren’t good enough and it’s up to me to turn it around.
”Yes, it’s been a disappointing day but spirit-wise the camp is good. It all boils down to some hard work on the training pitch. We must not feel sorry for ourselves.”
Pearce admitted comments made City skipper Richard Dunne before the game had not helped the club’s cause. Dunne hinted that some of the club’s foreign signings had taken too long to settle after joining the club.
”One thing about Richard Dunne is that he is very honest,” added Pearce. ”He’s probably done me no favours saying what he’s said. But he’s said it now. I don’t believe players aren’t pulling their weight, but there’s a lack of confidence. The comments he has come out with are from his heart.”
Pearce’s precarious position overshadowed Blackburn’s achievement in reaching the semifinals of the FA Cup for the second time in three seasons under Mark Hughes.
South African midfielder Aaron Mokoena gave Blackburn the lead when he fired home from close range in the 28th minute.
Mokoena was dismissed for two bookings midway through the second half before Rovers sealed the win when Matt Derbyshire tapped in Sergio Peter’s cross in the 90th minute.
But Hughes had words of comfort for Pearce and suggested that Pearce will pull through the most difficult period of his managerial career.
”It’s a difficult job and you have to win games,” Hughes said. ”If you don’t win games then you will come under some pressure. Stuart is a strong character and has a strong personality. I’m sure he’ll deal with it.”
Hughes refused to look beyond the semifinals after his side’s comfortable victory.
”I’ve been involved in many semifinals and they very rarely go by the form book,” Hughes said. ”They are very hard to predict.” — AFP
