While all 20 top-flight managers remain in their jobs, historic data shows November and December bring almost a third of all in-season dismissals.
Fernandes and Carrick Disagree on Como Defeat
Bruno Fernandes thinks the tactics were essentially wrong in this game, while Michael Carrick thinks the players weren’t running enough for the tactics to work out.
Nedum Onuoha, Match of the Day pundit
Historical Patterns of Premier League Sacking Season
History indicates that managerial departures accelerate as autumn turns to winter, with the transfer window introduced in England in 2003 also playing a role. Throughout the 2025-26 campaign, a total of 11 managers left their positions, and the sole departure by choice was Enzo Maresca stepping down at Chelsea.
During the previous campaign, those departed Premier League managers or head coaches—the official designation for most top-flight bosses nowadays—had spent an average of 310 days at the helm. The short-tenure history also includes Charlton Athletic’s Les Reed being dismissed on Christmas Eve in 2006 after a 40-day stint, Sam Allardyce’s 30-day spell at Leeds United in 2022-23 that ended in relegation, and Ange Postecoglou lasting 39 days with Nottingham Forest last year.
Almost a third of all in-season manager exits happen during November and December. November has previously witnessed high-profile dismissals such as Roberto di Matteo at Chelsea in 2012, Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs in 2019, and former Manchester United player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.
Club patience has also noticeably shrunk.
Bottom-Half Pressure Points Across the Top Flight
A record nine clubs entered the season with new permanent managers. Roberto de Zerbi has eased pressure on himself at Spurs after successive wins moved them to 12th in the Premier League, while Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeloa has also moved heat away from his future with back-to-back 1-0 wins.
- New Forest boss Oliver Glasner will be feeling a little bit anxious at the moment.
- Sunderland’s Regis le Bris—whose side are juggling Europa League football—feels similar anxiety.
- Bournemouth manager Marco Rose hasn’t had the most convincing domestic start, but a midweek win against AC Milan extended their perfect Europa League start and should keep pressure off before facing Carrick’s United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
- Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage apologised to fans and faces a fight to keep his job only four months after joining from Lens following a 5-0 battering by Brighton on Sunday, with his side entertaining Newcastle on Sunday.
- Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle is another new boss who could do with a positive result quickly.
Worth a look
