10 Managers Who Lasted Less Than 100 Days In The Premier League

Ange Postecoglou became the tenth permanent manager in Premier League history to last fewer than 100 days after Nottingham Forest dismissed him following a 39-day tenure on 18 October 2025. Appointed on 9 September 2025 to replace Nuno Espírito Santo, the Australian was sacked just 20 minutes after a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground. His abrupt departure during a winless eight-game run highlights the ruthless nature of top-flight football and prompts a definitive look at the shortest permanent managerial reigns since the competition began in 1992.

1. Sam Allardyce — 30 Days in Charge of Leeds United

Sam Allardyce holds the record for the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history, spending just 30 days in charge of Leeds United. The former England manager arrived at Elland Road on 3 May 2023, taking on an eighth different top-flight club in a last-ditch attempt to save the team from relegation with only four games remaining in the 2022-23 season.

Taking over from Javi Gracia with the West Yorkshire club sitting 17th and above the drop zone on goal difference, Allardyce failed to secure survival. A defeat to Manchester City in his opening match was followed by a draw against Newcastle United and subsequent losses to West Ham and Tottenham. Collecting just one point from four matches, Leeds United were relegated to the Championship, finishing five points adrift of safety. Allardyce departed when his short-term contract expired on 2 June 2023.

2. Ange Postecoglou — 39 Days at Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest dismissed Ange Postecoglou on 18 October 2025, ending his tenure after exactly 39 days. The former Tottenham boss was appointed on 9 September to replace Nuno Espírito Santo following a breakdown in relations between the Portuguese manager and club chairman Evangelos Marinakis.

Tasked with shifting the team from a reactive, direct system to a possession-based style of play, Postecoglou struggled to secure results. The Australian manager failed to win a single match during his eight-game stint at the City Ground. The Nottingham Forest hierarchy officially sacked him 20 minutes after a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea, making his 39-day spell the shortest reign of any manager who departed mid-season.

3. Les Reed — 40 Days at Charlton Athletic

Les Reed spent only 40 days as Charlton Athletic manager during the 2006-07 season before being dismissed. Appointed on 14 November 2006 to replace Iain Dowie, Reed assumed the position despite having no previous experience managing a professional team, having previously served as an assistant to Alan Curbishley and Dowie.

His brief spell at The Valley resulted in just four points from seven Premier League fixtures. Following an unexpected League Cup elimination by fourth-tier Wycombe Wanderers, the Charlton Athletic board removed Reed on 24 December 2006. Alan Pardew subsequently took over, but the London club ultimately suffered relegation to the Championship at the end of the campaign and has not returned to the top flight since.

4. Javi Gracia — 69 Days at Leeds United

Before Sam Allardyce took over later in the same campaign, Javi Gracia managed Leeds United for a mere 69 days during the volatile 2022-23 Premier League season. Appointed on 22 February 2023 following the dismissal of Jesse Marsch, the Spanish manager inherited a squad sitting 19th in the standings and two points from safety.

Across 11 Premier League matches, Gracia accumulated 11 points—a return better than six other teams in the division over the same period—lifting the club to 17th position. However, after losing seven of his 12 total games in charge across all competitions, the Elland Road hierarchy opted for a drastic change, dismissing him on 2 May 2023.

5. Rene Meulensteen — 75 Days at Fulham

Fulham ended Rene Meulensteen's time as manager after just 75 days during the 2013-14 campaign. Initially brought in to assist Martin Jol, the Dutchman assumed the main managerial role on 1 December 2013 following Jol's departure from Craven Cottage.

Meulensteen oversaw 13 Premier League fixtures, securing only 10 points. During this specific window, only West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City collected fewer points in the division. On 14 February 2014, Fulham replaced him with Felix Magath. Meulensteen briefly stepped back into a coaching capacity under the new boss before leaving the club entirely four days later, while Fulham eventually suffered relegation in 19th place.

6. Frank de Boer — 77 Days at Crystal Palace

Frank de Boer holds the unwanted record for overseeing the fewest matches as a permanent manager in Premier League history. Crystal Palace appointed the Dutch coach on 26 June 2017 to succeed Sam Allardyce, who had stepped down following the 2016-17 season.

De Boer’s tenure at Selhurst Park lasted just 77 days and four league matches. Under his leadership, Crystal Palace lost their opening four fixtures of the 2017-18 season without scoring a single goal, becoming the first top-flight team in 93 years to begin a campaign with such a barren run. The club dismissed him on 11 September 2017, appointing the experienced Roy Hodgson as his successor.

7. Quique Sánchez Flores — 85 Days at Watford

Quique Sánchez Flores lasted exactly 85 days during his return to Watford in the 2019-20 season. The Spanish manager took charge at Vicarage Road on 7 September 2019 but failed to secure the necessary results to move the club up the Premier League table. Earning his place as one of the few permanent managers to survive fewer than 100 days since 1992, his brief second stint concluded on 1 December 2019 when the Watford board executed another managerial change.

8. Bob Bradley — 85 Days at Swansea City

Bob Bradley spent 85 days in charge of Swansea City during the 2016-17 Premier League campaign. Taking over the Welsh club on 3 October 2016, the American manager faced immediate pressure to secure positive results in the top flight. Unable to build sustained momentum or defensive stability, Bradley's time at the Liberty Stadium was cut short. Swansea City dismissed him from his managerial duties on 27 December, placing him firmly among the shortest-tenured bosses in the competition's history.

9. Nathan Jones — 94 Days at Southampton

Southampton dismissed Nathan Jones after a 94-day spell during the 2022-23 Premier League season. Appointed on 10 November 2022, the Welsh manager was tasked with guiding the south-coast club away from the relegation zone. Despite early efforts to implement his system, his tenure at St Mary's Stadium was characterized by a lack of Premier League points. The Southampton board ultimately ended his contract on 12 February 2023.

10. Colin Todd — 98 Days at Derby County

Colin Todd completes the list of ten permanent Premier League managers to leave their roles within 100 days. Appointed by Derby County on 8 October 2001, Todd took charge at Pride Park during a highly challenging 2001-02 top-flight campaign. His tenure lasted exactly 98 days before the club decided to part ways on 14 January 2002. Like the others on this list, Todd's brief spell highlights the rapid turnover associated with managing in England's premier division.