CHRIS HUGHTON has called for managers to be given more time after the latest round of Championship sackings, which included his close friend Paul Trollope.

Trollope (Cardiff), Nigel Pearson (Derby) and Roberto Di Matteo (Aston Villa) lost their jobs just 11 matches into the season.

Trollope worked under Hughton at Birmingham and Norwich. He nearly linked up with him again at Albion before succeeding ex-Seagulls boss Russell Slade at Cardiff.

Hughton told The Argus: “I did speak to Paul but I was aware of the role he was doing at Cardiff and he was very well thought of there.

“He’s very loyal. He was certainly one on my mind but his ties and responsibilities at Cardiff were bigger and consequently he got the job as manager. I’m very disappointed for him, because he’s a good coach and good person as well.

“I certainly believe managers should be given more time. I know it’s a pressurised, results-based industry and everyone in our division wants to be in the Premier League, with the money involved, but our business is like most others.

“You have to build up a business. I know a manager can come in and turn around results fairly quickly at times but you build relationships at a club as a manager, with players and on a system and structure of play.

“Sometimes that can happen instantly because of what you have taken over, sometimes that’s not the case. I absolutely believe managers need more time.

“For me there’s no doubt about that and I don’t think it’s an industry that’s healthy when, in such a short period of time, there ends up being so many changes in our league and ultimately in our game.”

Hughton believes the Championship has just got even harder now that Neil Warnock (Cardiff), Steve McClaren (Derby) and Steve Bruce (Aston Villa) are rivals again.

“All three have good squads,” he said. “Cardiff have gone through difficult times and had a lot of injuries but when everybody’s fit they have a very good squad.

“He’s (Warnock) brought in three players already to add to that and, more so, Derby and Villa have very good and very big squads, so of course that makes it harder.”