The pressure to succeed in the Premier¹ League was underlined once again this weekend as another manager was sacked after a string 一连串的 of defeats.

Portsmouth announced the sacking 解雇 of manager Tony Adams on Sunday, after his team lost 3-2 to Liverpool on Saturday.

Adams' reign² 执政 was brief and unsuccessful, winning only twice in the 15 weeks he was at the helm 掌权.

A club spokesman spoke³ of the club’s regret at firing 解职 Adams and praised him for working "tirelessly to arrest the slump⁴ （球队）低谷 in form"; meaning Adams did his best to stop the team’s worsening performances.

But this latest loss means Portsmouth are now 16th in the league, just one point above the relegation⁵ zone 降级区, having plummeted⁶ 直线下降 from seventh place during Adams' spell as manager.

Adams’ sacking brings the total of Premiership managers to lose their job this season to seven, with other bosses looking anxiously over their shoulders.

One manager whose future seems uncertain is Newcastle’s Joe Kinnear who missed Saturday’s game after being taken to hospital with chest pains and numbness⁷ 麻木 in his left arm – possible indications of heart problems 心脏疾病.

Kinnear is set to find out on Monday if he is fit 健康的 enough to hold on to his job.

Despite the grim outlook 不乐观的前景 for some managers and teams, the future of one English footballing legend seems to be full of promise 大有希望.

David Beckham was recalled 召回 to the England squad⁸ for Wednesday’s friendly game against Spain in Seville.

Beckham, who is on loan to Italian giants AC Milan, has impressed his manager Carlo Ancelotti who intends to buy Beckham if he can.

"We really rate （给予）很高评价 him here," said Ancelotti, meaning he has a high opinion of Beckham’s footballing skills.

"If he gives England what he has been giving us here at Milan then he will go on playing for England for a long time," added Ancelotti.