The shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history: a brutal business

October 21, 2025 Kris Isaksen

In the Premier League, patience is in short supply and pressure is sky-high. Over the years, several managers have been given shockingly little time to make their mark before being shown the door. Here are the 12 shortest reigns in Premier League history — and the stories behind them — from longest to shortest.

Ivan Juric – Southampton (105 days)

Appointed in December 2024, Ivan Juric was gone by April after winning just two of 16 matches. His spell ended with Southampton’s relegation — the earliest confirmed in Premier League history.

Colin Todd – Derby County (98 days)

Derby legend Colin Todd lasted just three months in 2002 as manager. With 11 losses from 17 games, his managerial stint never lived up to his playing legacy at the club.

Nathan Jones – Southampton (95 days)

Nathan Jones’ step up from Luton to Premier League Southampton in 2022 was a nightmare. Despite a League Cup win over Manchester City, he lost seven of eight league games and left in February.

Terry Connor – Wolves (91 days)

After Mick McCarthy’s exit in 2012, Wolves promoted assistant Terry Connor — and instantly regretted it. Winless in 13 matches, he oversaw their relegation before quietly returning to his previous role.

Quique Sánchez Flores – Watford (85 days)

Back for a second spell at Watford in 2019, Quique Sánchez Flores couldn’t recapture past form. A run of one win in 10 games, including a 7-0 humiliation by Man City, led to another swift departure.

Bob Bradley – Swansea City (84 days)

Bob Bradley's short stint at Swansea in 2016 did little to dispel doubts about American managers in England. Between unfamiliar terminology and poor results, he managed just eight points in under three months.

Frank de Boer – Crystal Palace (77 days)

Frank de Boer’s spell at Palace in 2017 was as disastrous as it was brief. Tasked with implementing attractive football, he failed to register a single point or goal in four matches before being sacked.

Rene Meulensteen – Fulham (75 days)

Despite his reputation as a top coach under Sir Alex Ferguson, Meulensteen flopped in his solo attempt at Fulham in 2013. Three wins from 13 games saw him ousted in just over two months.

Javi Gracia – Leeds United (69 days)

Appointed to rescue Leeds from a relegation battle in 2023, Javi Gracia started promisingly. But April's collapse, including a 5-1 defeat to Palace and record-breaking defensive woes, led to his sacking on his 53rd birthday.

Les Reed – Charlton Athletic (41 days)

Les Reed was infamously dubbed "the worst manager in Premier League history" after a dreadful six-week spell at Charlton in 2006. With only one win in eight matches, his reign ended on Christmas Eve.

Ange Postecoglou – Nottingham Forest (39 days)

Forest fans were left stunned by Ange Postecoglou’s appointment and even more so by the results. With no wins and just one goal in eight games, his short-lived tenure in 2025 ended with a quick dismissal amid growing fan unrest.

Sam Allardyce – Leeds United (30 days)

Sam Allardyce's final Premier League stint lasted just a month. Hired in a desperate bid to save Leeds from relegation in May 2023, he managed four games without success and left by mutual consent in June.