AFC Fylde have made the decision to dismiss manager Kevin Phillips after a poor run of results.
Despite some well-earned wins, including against playoff chasers FC Halifax Town and relegation-threatened Wealdstone, the former Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion striker was dismissed by the Lancashire side after losing 12 of his 19 games in charge.
The Coasters Make Call
The final nail in the coffin of the 51-year-old’s reign was a 2-1 loss to Boston United in midweek National League action, which sunk the club deeper into a relegation battle and are now a point adrift of safety in 22nd place.
Phillips was appointed in October by the Wesham side months after leaving fellow National League side Hartlepool United following the expiration of his contract in April. A statement published by AFC Fylde today on their official website said:
AFC Fylde can confirm that the club and Head Coach Kevin Phillips have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.
We would like to thank Kevin for his efforts and wish him well for the future.
Current assistant coach David Longwell will take charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce a permanent replacement.
The club’s next game sees them face Altrincham in Greater Manchester, who are on an 11-game unbeaten run.
Writer’s View
The results speak for themselves and AFC Fylde had to make the call or face relegation at the end of this season. Kevin Phillips’ time at the club was a failure, with losses piling up very quickly and slightly regressing from the 21st-place position the club were in when he arrived. He may not have done the best of jobs at Hartlepool either but staved them off back-to-back relegations and it seems that the decision to turn down a new two-year deal at Victoria Park was the wrong call to make. His next steps now will be interesting to see but with how he did at South Shields and Hartlepool, perhaps a return to the North East would be the best move for him.
