Managing a Big Six club in the Premier League comes with sky-high expectations. But history shows that not everyone hits the ground running. Here’s a look at the ten managers who earned the fewest points in their first 25 Premier League matches in charge of a Big Six team.
10. Graeme Souness – 33 points
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Souness took over at Liverpool during the 1991–92 season, but his early tenure was rocky. Despite his legendary status as a player, his tactical approach failed to resonate, and the team’s league performances suffered.
9. Christian Gross – 31 points
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Appointed by Tottenham in 1997, Gross struggled to adapt to English football. His stint became symbolic of Spurs’ instability in the late ’90s, and his 31-point return from 25 games reflected the club’s lack of direction.
In 2008, Hughes was tasked with launching Manchester City’s new era post-takeover. Despite major financial backing, his early results were underwhelming, and his points tally didn’t meet expectations.
7. Ossie Ardiles – 30 points
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A fan favorite at Spurs, Ardiles’ attacking philosophy was entertaining but tactically naive. The team often leaked goals, and his tenure never found the balance needed to succeed at the top level.
6. Doug Livermore – 29 points
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As joint manager of Tottenham in 1992/93, Livermore couldn’t inspire consistent performances. His time in charge was short-lived, and results failed to stabilize the club.
5. Brian Horton – 27 points
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Taking over Manchester City during turbulent times in 1993/94, Horton found it hard to steer the team out of mediocrity. His 27 points were a poor return, and City’s struggles would continue beyond his stint.
4. Glenn Hoddle – 26 points
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Another former player-turned-manager at Chelsea, Hoddle took charge in 1993 and tried to instill a new philosophy. However, results were inconsistent, and the club hovered near the lower half of the table early on.
3. Alan Ball – 24 points
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Ball inherited a weak Manchester City squad in the mid-90s and couldn’t reverse the decline. Despite his World Cup-winning pedigree, his 24 points in 25 games were not enough to build momentum.
2. Rúben Amorim – 24 points
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Hailed as a bright young mind, Amorim’s start at Manchester United in the 2024/25 season has been hugely disappointing. With just 24 points in 25 games, he finds himself statistically among the worst starters in Big Six history.
1. Joe Royle – 22 points
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Royle’s 2000/01 campaign at Manchester City was a disaster from the start. With just 22 points from his first 25 games, he tops the list as the manager with the worst opening spell at a Big Six club in the Premier League era.
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