Here, we take a look at all the managers and head coaches sacked by Premier League sides in the 2024/25 season.
Being a football manager is inherently a challenging job, but when you’re at the highest level, the pressure increases even further. The stakes are much higher, and the margin for error is minimal. Top managers and coaches are compensated handsomely, but with that comes immense responsibility—if they fail, the consequences can be severe. Some club owners may be more patient, offering time to turn things around, but others can be less forgiving and have little tolerance for failure.
Let’s take a look at all the Premier League managers that have lost their job so far this season.
Erik ten Hag | Manchester United
The former Man United boss was the first of the Premier League managers/head coaches to be sacked. He had joined from Ajax ahead of the 2022/23 season, and even though he won United two domestic trophies—one EFL Cup and FA Cup each—in his tenure, the expectations of winning major trophies like the Premier League and Champions League at one of the most followed clubs in the world were far from being fulfilled. He was dismissed in late October after a string of poor results. Ruud van Nistelrooy acted as interim manager for a few games before the arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting.
Steve Cooper | Leicester City
Steve Cooper was the next PL manager to be sacked. Former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca got the Foxes promoted to the topflight, on the back of which Chelsea came calling. Consequently, Cooper joined Leicester in the summer, but his tenure was short-lived as, after a run of five winless games in November, he got the boot and was instantly replaced by Manchester United legend and recent assistant and interim coach, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Surprisingly, Leicester City were above the relegation zone at the time. Looking at their situation now, one may call dismissing Cooper a hasty move given Leicester have not fared much better.
Gary O’Neil | Wolverhampton Wanderers
The next to get the sack was the Wolves manager, Gary O’Neil. O’Neil joined Wolves ahead of the 2023/24 season, replacing Julen Lopetegui, who had left due to disagreements with the Wolves board.
Wolves started the season in dismal fashion and were languishing in the bottom three from the start. O’Neil was finally sacked mid-December after Wolves lost to Ipswich Town and had only two wins in 16 PL games. In addition, there were instances of Wolves players’ acts of indiscipline that put further pressure on O’Neil, indicating he had lost control of his dressing room. He was later succeeded by Vítor Pereira who joined from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab.
Also read: Looking at the surprise packages of Premier League 2024/25
Russel Martin | Southampton
Saints boss Russel Martin also got dismissed on the same day as Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil. Since getting promoted to the Premier League, Southampton have looked the most out-of-sorts team in the division. Having only garnered five points from 16 games in December, manager Russel Martin was sacked after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at home.
All through the season, Southampton’s insistence of playing from the back caused them issues, but Martin failed to change tactics or make amends. He has since been succeeded by former Roma manager Ivan Juric, who hasn’t been able to overturn Southampton’s fortunes either as they look near certain of dropping out of the topflight.
Julen Lopetegui | West Ham United
After David Moyes’s departure ahead of the 2024/25 season, Julen Lopetegui returned to the Premier League as head coach of West Ham. Much was expected from him, as West Ham had been active in the summer transfer window. However, Lopetegui’s return didn’t turn out well for the Hammers and they have endured a difficult season so far, currently placed 14th in the table with only seven wins from 22 games.
Lopetegui was sacked at the start of this month, four days after the 4-1 thrashing by Manchester City in the league. Even after spending big on transfers, West Ham were unable to get going under Lopetegui, who has since been succeeded by former Chelsea and Brighton head coach Graham Potter.
Sean Dyche | Everton
Sean Dyche is the latest Premier League manager to go on the chopping block. Everton had a respectable last season despite many poor performances as they managed to stay afloat despite getting hit by points deduction twice. Coming into this season, the expectation was to build up from last season, but the Toffees failed to do so. The goals dried up, and after just three wins from 21 league games Dyche was sacked on January 9, hours before Everton’s FA Cup game against Peterborough, which Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines took interim charge for. Two days later, David Moyes returned to the club after a gap of nearly 12 years.
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