Top Premier League Managers with the Briefest Tenures in History
Following Ange Postecoglou’s departure from Nottingham Forest after just 39 days, his brief tenure ranks among the shortest in Premier League history. Forest parted ways with Postecoglou following a 3-0 loss against Chelsea, leaving the club in a precarious position, just one point above the relegation zone.
Brief Tenures of Premier League Managers
Postecoglou’s record is notable as he became the second-shortest-serving manager in the Premier League. His tenure lasted only five matches, resulting in one point from a single draw and four losses. This statistic accentuates his struggles, particularly given that Forest has won only one of their last eight matches.
Shortest Managerial Reigns in Premier League History
- Sam Allardyce: Leeds United – 30 days
- Angé Postecoglou: Nottingham Forest – 39 days
- Les Reed: Charlton Athletic – 40 days
- Rene Meulensteen: Fulham – 75 days
- Frank de Boer: Crystal Palace – 77 days
- Bob Bradley: Swansea City – 84 days
- Quique Sanchez Flores: Watford – 85 days
- Nathan Jones: Southampton – 94 days
Allardyce holds the record for the shortest reign at a Premier League club, having spent just 30 days at Leeds United in 2023. During this brief period, Allardyce managed four matches, all of which led to relegation—with three losses and a draw.
Statistical Highlights
In terms of performance, Postecoglou managed just a 0.2 points-per-match average, which ranks him among the least successful managers in the league. Comparatively, his predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo, averaged a respectable 1.42 points per match. Additionally, Postecoglou’s squad managed to score only one goal in their first five matches, a record not seen since Sean Dyche at Burnley in 2014.
Points per Match Comparison
| Manager | Matches | Record | Points | Points/Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank de Boer | 4 | W0 D0 L4 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Angé Postecoglou | 5 | W0 D1 L4 | 1 | 0.20 |
| Sam Allardyce | 4 | W0 D1 L3 | 1 | 0.25 |
With Nottingham Forest currently positioned 17th and struggling with goal difference, the club faces significant challenges ahead. They hope to appoint a new manager capable of reversing their fortunes, particularly after a promising seventh-place finish last season.
