Shortest Premier League Manager Stints: The Definitive Ranking
When Ange Postecoglou was dismissed by Nottingham Forest after just 39 days, it marked the fastest firing in Premier League history. However, it doesn’t claim the title for the shortest managerial tenure in England’s top flight.
Sam Allardyce’s Leeds United Month-Long Stint
Sam Allardyce’s time at Leeds United lasted merely a month during the 2022-23 season. The veteran manager was brought out of retirement in May 2023 for a classic firefighter role, having been away from management for two years.
According to The Times, Allardyce earned £500,000 for his four-game tenure, with a potential £2.5 million bonus if he kept Leeds in the Premier League. Unfortunately, not even “Big Sam” could rescue the sinking ship – the team managed just one point during his brief reign, with only Bournemouth performing worse during the season’s final stretch.
Allardyce inherited a team sitting 17th place, surviving only on goal difference, and left them in 19th position with a six-point gap from safety. His appointment marked the third managerial change for Leeds that season alone.
Javi Gracia’s 69-Day Leeds Tenure
Before Allardyce’s brief spell, Javi Gracia managed Leeds for 69 days earlier in the same season. The Spaniard recorded three wins, two draws, and seven defeats before his dismissal. His final match saw a crushing 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth – the same team that would later struggle at season’s end.
Frank de Boer’s Crystal Palace Disaster
Frank de Boer arrived at Crystal Palace in 2017 fresh from an 85-day stint with Inter Milan. His English adventure proved even shorter – lasting just 77 days. The Dutchman oversaw four consecutive league defeats without scoring a single goal (0-7 goal difference), representing the worst top-flight start in 93 years.
His sole victory came in the League Cup against Ipswich Town (2-1), but it wasn’t enough to convince Palace of his managerial capabilities. Roy Hodgson replaced him and orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, lifting the team from 19th to 11th position.
Les Reed’s Charlton Athletic Failure
Going back to 2006, Les Reed’s appointment at Charlton Athletic proved disastrous. With the team sitting bottom of the table by November, Charlton made the questionable decision to promote Reed from assistant manager – despite his lack of prior head coaching experience at professional level.
The experiment lasted 40 days before his dismissal, triggered by a League Cup defeat to a fourth-division opponent and just four points from seven league matches. Alan Pardew replaced him in December but couldn’t prevent relegation either.
René Meulensteen’s Fulham Struggles
René Meulensteen joined Fulham in 2013 during a turbulent period in his career. After leaving Manchester United, he served as assistant to Guus Hiddink at Anzhi Makhachkala, unexpectedly became head coach for just 16 days before being fired.
His return to England saw him join Martin Jol’s coaching staff at Fulham, only to be promoted when Jol was dismissed. In 13 matches, the Dutchman collected just 10 points before being replaced by Felix Magat after 75 days – who also failed to save Fulham from relegation.
These cautionary tales serve as stark reminders of the Premier League’s ruthless nature and the immense pressure facing modern football managers.
