BARRY FRY'S rollercoaster reign as manager of Birmingham City ended in dismissal and a typically quotable parting shot yesterday, 36 hours after an assurance from the co-owner, David Sullivan, that his future was secure.
After his sacking, callers to Fry's home were met with an answerphone message. "Kristine's gone shopping as usual," he, said, "and I've gone to the job centre looking for employment. Funny old game, inn it?"
Birmingham were already busy drawing up a shortlist of possible successors with a view to an early appointment. Sullivan cited "Premiership quality and a proven track record" as their main criteria. Trevor Francis, idol of St Andrew's 25 years ago, was promptly installed as favourite.
George Graham, whose year-long ban from management ends next month, was Birmingham's first choice. An approach is thought to have been met with a "thanks, but no thanks" from the former Arsenal manager, who may instead re- emerge with Leeds or Chelsea.
Terry Venables also becomes free from his England commitments at the same time, though he may also be setting his sights higher. Apart from Francis, whose pedigree includes third place in the Premier League, realistic candidates include Mike Walker, Chris Nicholl, John Rudge and Steve Bruce.
Fry, 51, paid with his job for a disappointing second half of a season in which Birmingham stood third in the First Division on St Stephen's Day. Their final position, 15th, was the club's highest in a decade, but they took one point from the last four games and failed to win away after November.
Sullivan and his co-owners, Ralph and David Gold, complained in the programme for Sunday's defeat by Reading about "gutless" displays. But the Essex-based publisher later told the club phone line: "We'll start next season with Barry Fry as manager unless Barry decides otherwise.
Changing his tune yesterday, Sullivan said: "It's purely because we want to win promotion next season, and despite Barry's efforts and commitment we didn't think he could take us any further. After three years and 61 players, we think someone else is entitled to have a go." He expected the former Barnet manager to be with "a club like Notts County or Luton" shortly.
In the two and a half years after his defection from Southend to Birmingham, Fry presided over relegation from the First, a Second Division championship and Auto Windscreens Shield double, and a run to the League Cup semi-finals this season., He bought more than 50 players at a cost of over Pounds 6 million and sold nearly 40 for around Pounds 5 million.
The last match of the Fry era, may incur the wrath of the Football Association's disciplinary committee. Three Birmingham players and one from Aston Villa were sent off in Monday's Birmingham Senior Cup final, resulting in a report by the County FA to Lancaster Gate.
Peter Reid, whose transfer dealings at Sunderland were by, financial necessity in stark contrast to Fry's, was yesterday named Manager of the Year by his contemporaries. Reid pipped Alex Ferguson in the annual poll of members of the League Managers Association (LMA).
LMA secretary, John Cam kin, said the award was recognition that Reid made "the best use of resources available" in taking Sunderland to the First Division title.
There were mixed fortunes for British managers in Turkey yesterday as Gordon Milne took over at Bursaspor and Grime Souness was sacked by Galatasaray.
Former Rangers and Liverpool boss Souness has been axed after just one troubled season in the country. Galatasaray general secretary Ales Unal Erzen says that the club will not be renewing the ex-Scottish international mid-fielder's contract, which ran out on April 30th.
Souness was disciplined for planting a Galatasaray flag on the centre spot following his team's cup final victory over bitter rivals Fenerbahce last month. The Turkish soccer authorities found him guilty of unprofessional conduct and banned him from the sidelines for a month.
Despite the cup success, Galatasaray have had a disappointing season and lie in an unaccustomed fourth place in the league with no hope of winning the title. They also made an early exit from the UEFA Cup.
Several players signed by Souness including Barry Venison, bought from Newcastle, and Mike Marsh from Coventry failed to settle and returned home.
The Istanbul club are set to replace 43-year-old Souness with Turkish national manager Fatih Terim.
Former Coventry manager Milne, meanwhile. has been appointed coach of Galatasaray's Turkish rivals Bursaspor. Milne, who managed the Sky Blues between 1972-81, has left Japanese outfit Grampus Eight after agreeing a two-year deal at Bursaspor.
