MANAGER MAYHEM BEGINS

Owls, Bantams and Gills swing the axe

- Chris Dunlavy

SACKING season got underway in earnest in midweek as the axe came down on a trio of EFL managers.

In the Championship, Xisco Munoz paid the price for Sheffield Wednesday’s winless start to life back in the second tier.

The Spaniard, promoted to the Premier League with Watford in 2021, was appointed in July following the unexpected departure of Darren Moore but lost eight and drew two of his 10 league matches.

“The Owls would like to thank Xisco and his staff for their services and wish them well for the future,” said a brief statement on the club website. “The process to appoint a new manager is now underway.”

Neil Warnock, the former Sheffield United manager, has let it be known that he would be keen to manage the Blades’ cross-city rivals but has not yet been contacted by owner Dejphon Chanisiri.

Other names in the frame include Stevenage boss Steve Evans, former Luton and Southampton manager Nathan Jones and one-time Brighton head coach Oscar Garcia, who has been out of work since leaving French side Reims last year.