So Avram Grant was sacked moments after Mike Dean had blown for full-time in West Ham’s defeat to Wigan, which condemned the Israeli’s side to relegation.
 
Despite his tactical failings this term, it was a cruel way to end Grant’s 11-month spell in charge at Upton Park, co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan exhibiting pettiness in the club’s demotion, a trait which could potentially ward off the likes of Steve McLaren, Martin O’Neill and Sam Allardyce, who have all been linked with the vacant role.
 
Just about every media outlet on Monday morning had their knife sharpened, primed to drive into the tactical nous, or lack of, of Grant. He’s an easy target. The 56-year-old won just seven league games this term, and that’s off the back of leading Portsmouth to relegation in the last campaign.
 
His failings are pretty clear. Sunday was not the first time Grant oversaw his side squander an advantage during a match. On seven occasions in the league this season, West Ham had been leading the game before conceding and subsequently dropping several precious points in the process.
 
His ability to encourage his side to protect a lead is undoubtedly questionable, and as a manager who is trying to guide a club to relegation, it is a coveted attribute to be able to see out games. But it’s difficult to lay the blame squarely at Grant’s door.
 
Part of the responsibility must rest on the players. For large parts of the season, West Ham’s personnel have simply not lived up to their billing and a woeful lack of judgement, poor defending and lack of finishing have ultimately led to a spell in the Championship next season.
 
That’s, almost without a reminder, barring the talismanic Scott Parker, whose performances have warranted survival on their own. The midfielder has been influential on the pitch and his injury back in April hindered West Ham’s chances of staying up – the club missed his presence – they failed to win the four fixtures in which he was absent, two of them included vital homes ties against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
 
Wigan’s revival, sparked by the stunning dispatch of a free-kick by Charles N’Zogbia, was down to a series of defensive mishaps which have plagued West Ham throughout the season. James Tomkins’ rash shove on the French winger, just yards outside the box was needless.
 
Conor Sammon, signed for £600,000 from Kilmarnock in January, then made light work of Danny Gabbidon, whose futile attempts at subduing the striker were met with Wigan’s equaliser.
 
Wayne Bridge, an average left-back on a world-class wage, was generous in the space he allowed N’Zogbia to operate in for Wigan’s winner, while goalkeeper Rob Green’s attempts at saving the effort epitomised West Ham’s campaign – should have done better.
 
The signings at Upton Park this term have been vast, but largely uninspiring. Demba Ba, given a complete season in the Premier League has potential, along with the lively Victor Obinna. But the likes of Bridge, Robbie Keane, who looked a shadow of his former self, Winston Reid and Pablo Barrera are all guilty performances which have led to the club’s relegation.
 
Even some of West Ham’s longer serving players have suffered a below-par campaign. Matthew Upson has, at times, displayed an alarming lack of judgment in situations which require assuredness. Kieron Dyer, Luis Boa Morte and Carlton Cole have failed to command a regular first-team place after a string of abject performances, the latter is guilty of spurning a host of chances throughout the season.
 
Whoever replaces the Israeli has a huge task of shifting the dead wood, slicing the wage bill, while keeping a side fit to bounce straight back into the top flight. Grant was never the right man to work with this squad, Gold and Sullivan, at the second time of asking, have to find the one who is.