Acho doesn’t hold back in criticizing Kyle Shanahan for the 49ers’ woes

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Kyle Shanahan has faced mounting criticism from fans as the San Francisco 49ers, now 5-6, endure a disappointing 2024 season. It’s worth noting that this comes on the heels of a Super Bowl appearance earlier this year, adding to the frustration.

While injuries undoubtedly impacted the 49ers’ performance, FOX Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho places the blame squarely on Shanahan, accusing the head coach of mismanagement in what he calls the most disappointing season of Shanahan’s tenure.

“Kyle Shanahan looks like he mismanaged the staff, mismanaged the roster and mismanaged the offense,” Acho said during an episode of the show Object.

Poor management of 49ers personnel

Acho began by criticizing Shanahan’s decision to fire defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and replace him with Nick Sorensen.

“You fired Steve Wilks because he lacked personality and personnel fit,” Acho said. “OK, you’re firing Steve Wilks, but he had the No. 3 defense in football (in points allowed last season). And now Sorensen has about the 25th best defense in football.”

While Acho’s numbers seem off – San Francisco currently ranks 17th in points allowed and fifth in total yards – his conclusion remains: the defense has performed better under Wilks.

“Yesterday, the Niners scored 38 points in a regular season game for the first time in 37 games since the Kansas City Chiefs did so on October 23, 2022,” Acho added. “So you’re mismanaging your staff.”

Mismanagement of 49ers players

Acho also highlighted tensions with the players, including a situation where Shanahan seemingly scolded the winger Brandon Aiyuk for wearing the wrong color shorts to training.

He highlighted a recent incident on the side involving the winger Deebo Samuel he let his frustration boil over, leading to a tense exchange with his teammate and long snapper Fuck Tayborwhich was captured on the broadcast.

“Deebo Samuel, he chokes snappers during the game and nothing is said about it,” Acho said. “So you mismanage your staff, you mismanage your schedule.”

Mismanagement of the 49ers offense

Acho, as the leader of the 49ers’ offensive game, believes Shanahan is ultimately responsible for the team’s disappointing performance this season.

“This offense, this prolific offense, in a world where the Detroit Lions climb scoreboards with tricks galore, in a world where offenses change safeties, in a world where quarterbacks and players are protected, this offense looks stagnant ” – commented Acho.

“Kyle Shanahan mismanaged the staff. That’s perfectly clear. I think he mismanaged the squad. I think he mismanaged the attack. This is the most disappointing season considering the expectations of the Kyle Shanahan era, and I don’t think it’s going to be closed.”