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The five shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history
Tom Weber
- Updated: 20 Oct 2025 17:03 BST
- 5 min read
FEATURE
The Premier League is the best the league in the world and, as such, it has seen some of the most impressive managerial stints in the history of the game.
While the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were renowned for their longevity, leading Man Utd and Arsenal, respectively, for decades, not all coaching tenures always go to plan.
Some are doomed from the start and don't last long. Ange Postecoglou's time in charge of Nottingham Forest has entered the record books as one of the briefest stints ever in the Premier League, after the Australian was sacked by controversial club owner Evangelos Marinakis after just 39 days.
However, this most recent entry is only good enough for second place when it comes to the shortest managerial reigns in the division's history...
5. Frank de Boer - Crystal Palace (77 days, 2017)
In 2017, Crystal Palace appointed Ajax and Netherlands legend Frank de Boer as the successor to Sam Allardyce, but the Dutchman would only last 10 weeks at Selhurst Park.
Coming off a disappointing stint at Inter, De Boer's flagging coaching reputation took another hit when he was axed by the Eagles after losing their first four Premier League matches without netting a single goal. A start this dire hadn't been seen in English top-flight football in 93 years.
Infamously, De Boer was later named the "worst manager in Premier League history" by Jose Mourinho. He only lasted 77 days at Crystal Palace, and his four Premier League matches make this the joint-shortest reign in the league's history in terms of games played.
4. Rene Meulensteen - Fulham (75 days, 2013/14)
Dutchman Rene Meulensteen had an uneventful playing career, but he made his name as a coach by holding various positions at Man Utd, including as part of Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team staff.
After leaving Man Utd, he joined Guus Hiddink at the infamous Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, which attempted to build a super team, only to eventually plummet down the pyramid. Meuleensteen replaced Hiddink after just two games, but he lasted only 16 days himself.
He returned to England as part of Martin Jol's coaching staff at Fulham in November 2013. Jol was sacked within three weeks and replaced by Meulensteen. He picked up 13 points in 10 matches but was fired in February 2014 after 75 days and replaced by Felix Magath.
3. Les Reed - Charlton Athletic (40 days, 2006)
Les Reed had two stints as an assistant at Charlton Athletic, first in 1995 under Alan Curbishley and then in 2006 as part of Ian Dowie's coaching staff. When Dowie was dismissed in November of that year, Reed was put in charge of the relegation-battlers.
However, Reed, who had previously worked for the FA, would ultimately only last six weeks and face merciless media criticism. He picked up just four points in seven games and left after 40 days.
Alan Pardew replaced Reed, but he was unable to keep them in the Premier League.
2. Ange Postecoglou - Nottingham Forest (39 days, 2025)
Ange Postecoglou was fighting a losing battle from the moment he replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest in September 2025. Nuno had been a hugely popular figure and was only sacked by eccentric owner Evangelos Marinakis because he had fallen out with newly-hired club director Edu.
Although Postecoglou had managed to end Tottenham's long trophy drought by winning the Europa League in 2024/25, he had little credit in the bank, as he had overseen a 17th-placed finish in the Premier League. Many felt he only got the Forest job due to his friendship with Marinakis.
The Australian's stint at the City Ground quickly turned into a disaster. He became the first manager in club history to not win any of his first eight games in charge and was sacked within minutes of a 3-0 home loss to Chelsea on 18 October, having lasted just 39 days.
1. Sam Allardyce - Leeds United (30 days, 2023)
Renowned Premier League 'firefighter' Sam Allardyce took charge of turmoil-stricken Leeds United in May 2023 in a bid to keep them in the Premier League after the sacking of Javi Gracia.
Leeds actually were outside of the relegation zone when Allardyce took over, but he could not keep them in the league. He picked up just one point from his four matches in charge.
Unsurprisingly, his tenure at Elland Road was not extended beyond the season, and he left the club again after just 30 days at the helm.
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