The Sack Race: Betting on the Next Manager to be Sacked

Betting on the Sack Race and the next manager to be sacked with the latest departures and arrivals
The Sack Race: Betting on the Next Manager to be Sacked
Nigel Skinner
Nigel Skinner Blog Content Manager

Football Manager Expert and Political Betting Specialist across Exchange and Spread Betting Sites

Welcome to football sack race betting, where the drama of the sport extends beyond the pitch. In this article, we delve into the realm of betting on the next manager to be sacked in the UK football leagues. From the Premier League to the EFL Championship, League One, and League Two. We wonder whether the record-breaking 74 managerial changes of season 22/23 will be achieved again.

πŸ† Who will be the next football manger sacked?

Bet on the next manager to be sacked in English football leagues πŸ“Š Get stats and updates on this season's managerial casualties.

We bring you insights into previous manager sackings and keep you updated on this season's casualties. Get ready to discover the latest sack race news and discover the best bookmakers for this unique betting experience.

Sack Race Odds - Next Premier League Manager to be Sacked

The [22/23] saw an unprecedented 15 managers exiting their posts in the Premier League. As the dust settled and the new season approached, three more changes were made, only to be followed by the bombshell departure of Julen Lopetegui just days before the 2023/24 season kick-off. Let’s take a closer look at the updated Premier League Sack Race Odds. Curious to know who the bookmakers believe could be the next boss in trouble?

 Let's find out who is in danger in the 2024/25 season below. 

ManagerTeamApt dateDays in ChargeBetVictor OddsProbability
Gary O'NeilWolves09/08/20234921/150.00%
Julen LopeteguiWest Ham United01/06/20241956/440.00%
Russell MartinSouthampton21/06/20235415/116.70%
Ange PostecoglouTottenham06/06/202355610/19.10%
Eddie HoweNewcastle08/11/2021113116/15.90%
Sean DycheEverton30/01/202368325/13.80%
Pep GuardiolaMan City01/07/2016308733/12.90%
Oliver GlasnerCrystal Palace19/02/202429850/12.00%
Kieran McKennaIpswich Town20/12/2021108950/12.00%
Unai EmeryAston Villa01/11/202277366/11.50%
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Football Manager Departed this Season by League

A list of every managerial change in the English football league for 2024/25

Premier League Manager Casualties 2024/25

DateClubVacating ManagerIncoming ManagerAppointment Date
08/08/2023WolvesJulen LopeteguiGary O'Neil09/08/2023
4/12/2023Sheffield UnitedPaul HeckingbottomChris Wilder5/12/2023
19/12/2023Nottingham ForestSteve CooperNuno Espirito Santo20/12/2023
19/02/2024Crystal Palace Roy HodgsonOliver Glasner19/02/2024
19/05/2024West Ham UnitedDavid MoyesJulen Lopetegui01/06/2024
19/05/2024LiverpoolJurgen KloppArne Slot01/06/2024
19/05/2024BrightonRoberto De ZerbiFabian Hurzeler15/06/2024
21/05/2024ChelseaMauricio PochettinoEnzo Maresca31/05/2024
31/05/2024Leicester CityEnzo MarescaSteve Cooper20/06/2024
28/10/2024Manchester UnitedErik ten HagRuben Amorim01/11/2024

Championship Manager Casualties 2024/25

These are the current managerial casualties this season in the EFL Championship

CountDateClubVacating ManagerIncoming ManagerAppointment Date
120/09/2023Huddersfield TownNeil WarnockDarren Moore21/09/2023
309/10/2023Birmingham CityWayne RooneyWayne Rooney11/10/2023
204/10/2023Sheffield WednesdayXisco MunozDanny Rohl13/10/2023
528/10/2023QPRGareth AinsworthMarti Cifuentes30/10/2023
418/10/2023MillwallGary RowettJoe Edwards06/11/2023
629/10/2023Bristol CityNigel PearsonLiam Manning08/11/2023
712/11/2023Rotherham UtdMatt TaylorLeam Richardson12/12/2023
84/12/2023SunderlandTony MowbrayMichael Beale18/12/2023
1010/12/2023Stoke CityAlex NeilSteven Schumacher19/12/2023
94/12/2023Swansea CityMichael DuffLuke Williams05/01/2024

League One Manager Casualties 2024/25

These are the current managerial casualties this season in League One

CasualtyDateClubVacating ManagerIncoming ManagerAppointment Date
127/08/2023Charlton AthleticDean HoldenMichael Appleton08/09/2023
203/09/2023Fleetwood TownScott BrownLee Johnson10/09/2023
320/09/2023Cheltenham TownDarrell ClarkeMichael Flynn31/05/2024
418/10/2023Lincoln CityMark KennedyMichael Skubala14/11/2023
526/10/2023Bristol RoversJoey BartonMatt Taylor1/12/2023
608/11/2023Oxford UnitedLiam ManningDes Buckingham16/11/2023
729/11/2023Cambridge UnitedNeil HarrisGary Monk4/3/2024
99/12/2023Burton AlbionDino MaamriaMartin Paterson12/01/2024
1130/12/2023Fleetwood TownLee JohnsonCharlie Adam31/12/2023
1221/01/2024Shrewsbury TownMatthew TaylorPaul Hurst24/01/2024

League Two Manager Casualties 2024/25

These are the current managerial casualties this season in League Two

DateClubVacating ManagerIncoming ManagerAppointment Date
110/09/2023Tranmere RoversIan DawesNigel Adkins10/09/2023
220/09/2023Cheltenham TownWade SmithDarrell Clake30/09/2023
304/10/2023Bradford CityMark HughesGraham Alexander06/11/2023
405/10/2023GillinghamNeil HarrisStephen Clemence01/11/2023
516/10/2023Milton Keynes DonsGraham AlexanderMike Williamson17/10/2023
622/10/2023Colchester UtdBen GarnerMatthew Etherington16/11/2023
728/10/2023Grimsby TownPaul HurstDavid Artell27/11/2023
820/11/2023MorecambeDerek AdamsGed Brannan 27/11/2023
919/12/2023Sutton UnitedMatt GraySteve Morison06/01/2024
1020/12/2023Forest Green RoversDavid HorsemanTroy Deeney20/12/2023

The Sack Race by Season

Here is some data on the frequency of managers being sacked by English Leagues with 2022/23 being the most volatile in recent seasons with 68 managers losing or leaving their positions. In more detail we notice that both the Premier League and Championship had record seasons in that regard with the Championship averaging more than 1 departure per club.

Manager Departures by Season

This data does not include interim or caretaker managers and also includes pre-season and post-season changes.

SeasonEPLChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoTotal
23/24822151964
22/231126141768
21/22916141958
20/21816182264
19/20512121443
18/19814161654
17/181016211461
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Latest Sack Race News 2024/25

Managerial Departues in 2023/24

All of the current managerial departures of the 2023/24 season in chronological order, and news stories pertaining to the betting odds available for new managers to be installed at the various football clubs.

CountLeagueDateClubVacating ManagerIncoming ManagerAppointment Date
1EPL08/08/2023WolvesJulen LopeteguiGary O'Neil09/08/2023
2League One27/08/2023Charlton AthleticDean HoldenMichael Appleton08/09/2023
3SPL27/08/2024HibernianLee JohnsonNick Montgomery11/09/2023
4League One03/09/2023Fleetwood TownScott BrownLee Johnson10/09/2023
5League Two10/09/2023Tranmere RoversIan DawesNigel Adkins02/11/2023
6Championship20/09/2023Huddersfield TownNeil WarnockDarren Moore21/09/2023
7League One20/09/2023Cheltenham TownWade ElliotDarrell Clarke30/09/2023
8SPL01/10/2023Glasgow RangersMichael BealePhilippe Clement15/10/2023
9Championship04/10/2023Sheffield WednesdayXisco MunozDanny Rohl13/10/2023
10League Two04/10/2023Bradford CityMark HughesGraham Alexander06/11/2023

🔥🚪Manager Sacked in 2023/24

⚽📈 Manager Betting News and Odds Movement

Select any story and it will take you to the OLBG Sports Betting News section for details and information along with a host of other daily betting news stories from the world of Sports and Politics, along with Entertainment and TV from our betting news manager Jake Ashton.

Blow by blow coverage of managerial departures and next manager betting market odds movement

9th December 2024

Sack Race Betting Odds: Ange Postecoglou's odds now SLASHED into 4/1 to be next manager to go after Tottenham's loss to Chelsea!
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Sack Race Betting Odds: Ange Postecoglou's odds now SLASHED into 4/1 to be next manager to go after Tottenham's loss to Chelsea!

26th November 2024

Sack Race Betting Odds: Julen Lopetegui's odds DRIFT after West Ham's SHOCK 2-0 away win to Newcastle on Monday night!
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Sack Race Betting Odds: Julen Lopetegui's odds DRIFT after West Ham's SHOCK 2-0 away win to Newcastle on Monday night!

11th November 2024

Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui now 6/4 FAVOURITE to be the next manager SACKED in the Premier League!
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Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui now 6/4 FAVOURITE to be the next manager SACKED in the Premier League!

4th November 2024

Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui sees odds cut from 12/1 into 9/4 to be next manager to go!
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Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui sees odds cut from 12/1 into 9/4 to be next manager to go!

21st October 2024

Next Premier League Manager to Leave Betting Odds: Russell Martin now ODDS-ON to be the first manager to go after Southampton's winless start to season continued!
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Next Premier League Manager to Leave Betting Odds: Russell Martin now ODDS-ON to be the first manager to go after Southampton's winless start to season continued!

30th September 2024

Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag now ODDS-ON to leave after "disgusting" 3-0 loss at home to Tottenham!
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Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag now ODDS-ON to leave after "disgusting" 3-0 loss at home to Tottenham!

27th August 2024

Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: Everton boss Sean Dyche moves into 4/1 favourite to be first manager sacked this season after back-to-back defeats!
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Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: Everton boss Sean Dyche moves into 4/1 favourite to be first manager sacked this season after back-to-back defeats!

19th August 2024

Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca's odds SLASHED to 9/2 after loss to Man City on opening weekend!
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Next Premier League Manager To Leave Betting Odds: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca's odds SLASHED to 9/2 after loss to Man City on opening weekend!

Best Bookmakers for Next Manager Betting

Finding the next football club manager betting markets can be tough, although, the next to be sacked is widely available. Over the years we have found Betvictor, Parimatch, Unibet, BoyleSports and now BetUK and BetMGM to be the most reliable sources of markets for the next manager to be sacked, and offering odds on the next manager of specific clubs, even down the leagues.

Next Manager to be Sacked Betting Sites

1. BetVictor

BetVictor excels in next-manager betting by offering quick odds on a wide range of new manager markets. They react swiftly to managerial changes and provide comprehensive coverage in popular leagues as well as lower leagues, allowing bettors to secure better odds and opportunities.

2. BetMGM

BetMGM is a new player in the UK market since October 2023 after acquiring LeoVegas in the US. Despite being a recent entrant, they're already offering next manager markets and are positioned to become a big player in the UK football betting landscape.

3. BetUK

Another powerful contender in the UK market is BetUK. As a subsidiary of LeoVegas, BetUK has made a remarkable entry with its superb betting site. Alongside their extensive offerings, BetUK provides next manager betting markets.

4. Unibet

Unibet, a renowned and well-established player in the sports betting industry, is known for offering competitive options on next manager betting in the UK. With their extensive experience, Unibet provides a reliable and exciting platform for bettors.

5. BoyleSports

BoyleSports, founded by John Boyle in 1989, is Ireland's largest independent bookmaker. It’s reputed for offering a diverse range of betting markets across multiple sports, including a unique next manager to leave their post betting market.

6. Parimatch

Parimatch, another relatively recent betting brand addition to the UK online market, stands out with its comprehensive offerings on next manager betting.  Parimatch ensures a top-notch platform for bettors to explore the candidates for vacant football club manager positions.

Premier League Managers

Being a Premier League manager is indeed an attractive and lucrative position. With the intense media attention and global fan base that follows Premier League football, it's a pretty good job if you can bag it. The position is a dream job for many, the summit of a career's ambitions.

The Glitter and Gold of Premier League Management πŸŒŸπŸ’°βš½

⚽ Top-tier salaries, unparalleled attention 🌍 and even if you get the boot, there's a golden handshake waiting! 🀝 Ask Antonio Conte! πŸ˜‰

Financially, the role of a Premier League manager is incredibly rewarding too. The position carries a hefty salary package, anywhere up to £20m a year + Bonuses if you manage Manchester City, reportedly. It’s no secret that Premier League managers are amongst the most well-paid professionals in the world of soccer, with some earning as much and more as the star players of their teams.

No wonder Antonio Conte is grinning with a £26million pound pay off for being sacked

Adding to the financial attraction is the unique security offered by severance clauses often embedded in the managers' contracts. Though the job is famously unstable and even the biggest names in the game can find themselves falling out of favour in the sack race, there's always the sweet cushion of a hefty pay-off. As Antonio Conte can attest to after a Premier League title, an FA Cup, and then the boot with a £26m golden handshake - It's a funny old game!

Current Premier League Managers List

With Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool it is now Pep Guardiola at Manchester City who becomes the longest serving EPL manager, he joined City on the 1/7/2016. 

LeagueTeamFormer ManagerCurrent ManagerAppointment DateDays in Position
EPLArsenalUnai EmeryMikel Arteta23/12/20191817
EPLAston VillaSteven GerrardUnai Emery24/10/2022781
EPLBournemouthGary O'NeilAndoni Iraola19/06/2023543
EPLBrentfordDean SmithThomas Frank16/10/20182250
EPLBrightonRoberto De ZerbiFabian Hurzeler15/06/2024181
EPLChelseaMauricio PochettinoEnzo Maresca31/05/2024196
EPLCrystal PalaceRoy HodgsonOliver Glasner19/02/2024298
EPLEvertonFrank LampardSean Dyche30/01/2023683
EPLFulhamScott ParkerMarco Silva01/07/20211261
EPLIpswich TownPaul CookKieran McKenna16/12/20211093

Premier League Manager Departures By Season

A season will never go by without the spectre of the sack race hanging over the heads of every manager in the Premier League testified by over half the managers losing their jobs in 3 of the last 5 seasons. A total of 44 managers have departed EPL clubs in the last 5 years, with the highest coming in 2018/19 and a bit of a layoff with just 3 in that funny year everything was weird.

  • 21/22 - 10 Departures (50%)
  • 20/21 -  7 (35%)
  • 19/20 - 3 (15%)
  • 18/19 - 13 (65%)
  • 17/18 - 11 (55%)

Playing Musical Chairs - EPL Managers Style πŸ”„πŸ’Ίβš½

Every Premier League season is a game of survival for the Managers! The past 5 years witnessed 44 departures, hitting the peak with 13 in 2018/19 πŸ“ˆπŸ”„. A job laced with high-pressure but hey, that's EPL for you!

Premier League Managers Club by Club

A quick Run down of all current runners in the Premier League Sack race:

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta, a former assistant at Manchester City, is currently the manager at Arsenal. He took over from Unai Emery and has introduced a youthful approach, focusing on the development of young talents and a possession-based style of football.

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Aston Villa

Unai Emery, a three-time Europa League winner with Sevilla, has taken over at Aston Villa from Steven Gerrard. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and tactical acumen, Emery is aiming to improve Villa's position in the Premier League.

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Bournemouth

At Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola has replaced Gary O'Neil. A former Athletic Bilbao player with a reputation for promoting attacking football, Iraola's challenge is to solidify Bournemouth's status in the Premier League. 

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Brentford

After Dean Smith moved to Aston Villa, Thomas Frank became Brentford's manager. The Danish coach, who emphasizes an attacking and high-pressing style of play, aims to maintain Brentford's Premier League status.

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Brighton

Roberto De Zerbi, left Brighton at the end of the 2023/24 season, the Seagulls appointed Fabian Hurzeler who becomes the youngest ever EPL manager at just 31. 

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Chelsea

At Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino lost his job after just one season. His replacement is Italian Enzo Maresca who was tempted by the London club after guiding Leicester City to the Championship title in the 2023/24 season.

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Crystal Palace

Following Patrick Vieira's exit, Crystal Palace appointed the highly experienced Roy Hodgson as manager. Hodgson in his second spell at Selhurst Park lasted 11 months before stepping down. In February 2024 Austrian Oliver Glasner was appointed the new manager of the Eagles. 

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Everton

Sean Dyche, who managed Burnley for nearly a decade, has taken the reins at Everton after Frank Lampard's departure. He was expected to bring stability and pragmatic football back to the Merseyside club but so far results have been mixed. 

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Fulham

Former Everton manager Marco Silva took over Fulham from Scott Parker. Known for his attractive attacking football, Silva guided Fulham back to the Premier League.

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Ipswich Town

Kieran McKenna has performed excellently since being appointed manager in December 2021. Two promotions now see the tractor boys competing in the top tier of English football. 

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Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp, departed Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season, he has been replaced by ex Feyenoord manager Arne Slot. 

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Leicester City

Manager Enzo Maresca was appointed in June 2023 won the EFL Championship in May 2024 and left for Chelsea in June 2024. Former Swansea and Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper is the new man in charge. 

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Manchester City

Josep Guardiola, a winner of multiple trophies with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, succeeded Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City. He has since created an era of dominance at the Etihad, winning multiple Premier League titles.

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Manchester Utd

Erik ten Hag, renowned for his attacking philosophy at Ajax, took over Manchester United after Ralf Rangnick. He was tasked with rebuilding the squad and returning the club to its glory days, however the Dutchman has come under pressure with results and performances not up to standard. 

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Newcastle United

After Graeme Jones's departure, Newcastle appointed Eddie Howe as manager. The former Bournemouth boss has been assisted by the new owners injection of capital with improved EPL positions of fourth and seventh. 

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Nottingham Forest

Steve Cooper guided Nottingham Forest back to the EPl after winning promotion from the Championship.In 2023, after his team struggled in the top tier Cooper was replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo. 

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Southampton

Managed by Russell Martin the Saints returned to the EPL under his stewardship in 2024. 

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Tottenham Hotspur

Aussie Ange Postecoglou, took over at Tottenham from Antonio Conte. The former Australia national team boss aims to reignite Spurs' challenge for European football.

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West Ham United

David Moyes left the London Stadium at the end of the 2023/24 season. His replacement is Julen Lopetegui. 

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Wolves

At Wolves, Julien Lopetegui replaced Bruno Lage as manager. The former Sevilla boss was then replaced by Gary O'Neil after Lopetegui decided that he wanted to leave the West Midlands. O'Neil is known for his tactical flexibility, he aims to challenge the Premier League's top clubs.

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EFL Championship Managers Sack Race

There is lots of betting around for the Championship managers merry-go-round, so we have dedicated article on all Next Championship Manager to be Sacked information

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Football Manager Merry Go Round | The Sack Race Stats

  • Which football club has had the most managers? 
  • Which of the top leagues are managers likely to last in? 
  • How has the length of a football manager's job changed over the decades? 
  • Which football clubs are the most perilous for managers?
  • Who gives their managers the least time on the job? 
  • Does sacking your manager always lead to an upturn in form, or maybe even a trophy? 

Answers to all these questions and more can be found in this section

While Watford has gained recent notoriety for constantly sacking their manager, they’re relatively midtable in the sack race compared to the big hitters on this list.

The worst UK football clubs to manage

Which football clubs have employed the most managers?

Crystal Palace and QPR have had more managers than any other English league club in the top two divisions, while Livingston comes out on top for Scotland.

Why do you fire a manager? It’s nearly always because you think the next person you get in will do a better job. 

But for Palace and QPR, who are now both on manager number 64, all that chopping and changing hasn’t won them many trophies!

QPR have enjoyed a little more success, spending a number of seasons in The Premiership and once even reaching the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup (RIP). In recent years they’ve been the plaything of the super rich, which led to rumours that the best players in the world would grace Loftus Road. However, their club record signing remains at £12.5 million for Chris Samba, and no offence to him, but he doesn’t quite fit the bill. 

Crystal Palace are another of London’s big boys. After a recent period of stability under Roy Hodgson, they finally parted ways and employed manager number 64, former New York City FC icon Patrick Viera. One of the founding members of the Premier League, Palace have spent most of their history in the top flight of football, although only survived relegation to League 1 with a final day draw against Sheffield Wednesday in 2010.

Livingston is another club that is all too eager to give their manager the chop before their time. This is another example of how sacking your manager doesn’t always bear fruit (unless you’re Chelsea) as they only have the Scottish Challenge Cup to boast about in recent years.

Which UK football clubs give their managers time?

While it might be tempting to sack your manager after, say, losing 5-0 to Liverpool, some clubs are more patient than others. 

Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are both good examples of managers who’ve been given time and achieved success, but it’s not just their teams willing to give the people in charge a second chance. 

The best UK football clubs to manage

Which football clubs have had the least managers?

Celtic, Liverpool and Manchester United have all had 22 managers - but Celtic bosses have had the most days in the job!

Three of the biggest clubs in the UK have all had the same amount of managers. Celtic, one of Scotland’s most successful sides, join Liverpool and Man Utd in having 22 managers throughout their history, just pipping Rangers and West Ham at the post with 24, and Arsenal and Aberdeen with 26. 

Celtic’s managers last longer than anyone else’s. They spend an average of 2,050 days in the job, leading The Bhoys to an incredible 51 Scottish league titles and counting. (Only four less than Rangers, sorry.) 

Liverpool’s man in charge stays in the dugout for an average of 2,039 days, a figure no doubt helped by Jurgen Klopp's recent successes and the likes of Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, who both enjoy long stints in the role. 

Manchester United’s average - 1,932 days - owed a lot to Alex Fergusson. The Scot was manager for 26 incredibly successful years, longer than any of the managers since have even come close to. 

The length of time managers have stayed in their jobs by decade.

Management wasn’t always such a risky game. In decades gone by, you could be in a club for enough years to take out a mortgage and settle down. 

But when was the safest time to be in a job, and when did things get a little more uncertain?

Football management through the decades


The 1940s were the best time to manage in England

Football management has never been the most secure of career choices, but things have definitely got worse in recent decades. If you were in charge back in the 40s, you could expect to stay in your job for an average of 7 years and 7 months, a very respectable section on your CV. 

Things have gotten less certain ever since. 

Just a decade later and 50s managers were in their jobs for an average of 4 years and 10 months - almost half of what they were 10 years previous. By the turn of the 70s it was down to 3 years and 5 months, with greats like Alex Fergusson, Brian Clough and Don Revie constantly looking over their shoulders. 

When the 80s came along, the number was even lower. Average jobs only lasted 2 years and 7 months, and then something major happened - the Premier League was born. 

In 1992 a new era of football was created, attracting more money, bigger crowds and better players to our national game. All of that came with added pressure on the people in charge, taking the average time spent in a job down to 2 years, then 1 and a half years in the 2000s, and a mere 1 year and 5 months in the 2010s.

The average length of time for a football manager by country

If you want job security, pack your tracksuit and head to France. Managers there last for an average of 1 year and 10 months, which while no means a long-term job, at least gives you chance to pick up some of the local lingo and befriend a talented young striker to sign later on in your career. Jose Mourinho first saw Didier Drogba while he was playing for Le Mans, so you never know what sort of gems you could uncover. 

The Premier League offers you a month’s less protection, but with 1 year and 8 months in the job, you can guarantee some good Match of the Day screen time and lots of Alan Shearer doubting your tactical nous. 

Germany will give you 1 year and 7 months to prove your worth. Be sure to sign all the best young English talent and give them the chance to shine they’d never get at home.  

The Championship on the other hand, probably best to give this a miss. With just 1 year and 2 months to ply your trade and earn that sweet promotion to the Premier League, only the strong will survive. That’s good news for Neil Warnock, then.

The best leagues in Europe to be a football manager

Since the 2000’s, managers across Europe average less than 2 years for their entire tenure

Three years isn’t a bad run in a job. It’s long enough to not look suspicious on your CV, but not so long that you become Arsene Wenger and forget how to do your coat up. 

If you’re a Premier League manager, three years is about as long as you can expect to last, making it - unbelievably - the most steady out of all English leagues. 

On the other hand, there’s Italy. Italian football fans are known for being a passionate bunch, which might explain why managers in the Serie A have an average career span of only one year and five months. Barely worth unpacking.

Which football managers have had the longest careers?

Some managers just refuse to hang up their clipboard. Whether they stick with one club throughout their careers, or move their way through the football pyramid to keep the pay coming in, for these stalwarts management isn’t a job - it’s a way of life. 

The longest football managers in the job


While Fred Everiss, Willie Maley & George Ramsey are all 1-club men, Alex Ferguson’s record speaks for itself

We all know Fred Everiss, right? West Brom’s manager from 1902 to 1948? Winner of the - checks Wikipedia - 1931 FA Cup? Well, he’s had the longest career of any football manager, sticking with the Baggies for 16,740 days before going on to serve as a director. 

If Fred’s name doesn’t ring any bells, how about Willie Maley? No? He’s one of Celtic’s most successful ever managers, and their first after the club was formed. During his 15,644 days in charge, he led The Bhoys to 16 league titles and 14 cup championships. 

George Ramsay, of Aston Villa fame, has the third longest record in football. Legend has it he was the first manager to ever be paid, and he kept that money coming in for 15,277 days. He just beats the only manager to make the top five from the modern era - Alex Fergusson. He managed three clubs during his career (if you don’t count the part time job at East Stirlingshire), taking charge of St Mirren and Aberdeen before his most famous spell at Manchester United. He managed for a total of 13,743 days, chewing more and more gum the older he got.  

Which football managers have managed the most teams?

Oh, you’ve hired that guy, have you? The man who never seems to be out of a job, and just about does well enough to keep his name in the running. The man who lives and breathes football, and is linked to every job ever going. Yes, we’re talking about your Neil Warnocks, your Rafas and your Coppells. Proper football managers who will keep you in the league and look furious while doing it. 

Claudio Ranieri has managed more clubs than anyone else. His current spell at Watford is the 12th time he’s been revealed at a press conference, with chairmen across the world hoping he can come in and do a Leicester on any budget. 

Speaking of Leicester, former fox Nigel Pearson is next on our list. He’s managed 10 clubs throughout his career, although has lasted an average of under a year at each one. Well done to any director for being brave enough to fire him face to face. 

Steve Coppell is the third most prolific manager in the game. He enjoyed his most successful spell in charge of Reading, where he set a new league record of 106 points in a season as he won promotion to The Premier League. 

The football managers who keep coming back

How long will football managers stay in their jobs in the future? Judging by our research, half a year gets cut off a manager’s time in charge every decade, meaning by 2050 they should have about one week in the job to work their magic.

Methodology 

Using the Soccerbase manager database, we looked at football managers' date started, and date ended for clubs from the following divisions: 

  1. English Premier League
  2. English Championship
  3. Scottish Premiership
  4. French Ligue 1
  5. Italian Serie A
  6. German Bundesliga
  7. Spanish La Liga

Sack Race Author Contributions

Nigel Skinner

Next Manager Betting Expert

If you want to know anything about a football club manager then Nigel is your go-to guy. Nigel has written about every manager at every football club in the English football league, Scotland and across Europe in our next manager blogs section and is in touch daily for all football managerial moves, rumours and sackings.

- Nigel Skinner, Blog Content Manager

Jake Ashton

Jake Ashton

Senior News Editor

Jake is our News Content Manager. He reviews all content, fact-checks the data, edits the copy and enhances all of the OLBG News content from our expert team ahead of publication.

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