In October, Tony Pulis was put on gardening leave (and sacked not long afterwards) due to a poor relationship with Mandaric.
[1][2] Veteran player Steve Claridge stepped up to the manager's seat, and some initial success saw talk of promotion to the Premier League, only for a horrific run of defeats to set in after the new year, resulting in Claridge being dismissed as manager (but retained as a player) and being replaced in March 2001 by Chelsea assistant manager Graham Rix.
Rix did not prove an entirely popular appointment, as he had been jailed for a sexual offence two years previously,[3] and the club only survived on the last day of the season when they won their final game and relegated Huddersfield Town at their expense.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.