The Premier League has seen some of the most talented managers take the reins at various clubs. From Sir Alex Ferguson to Jose Mourinho, these managers are remembered for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the league. However, not every manager who put on his coaching boots was successful. In fact, some were just downright terrible. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the 10 worst Premier League managers of all time – those whose stint in the league is unforgettable but not for positive reasons. Join us as we explore the baffling decisions and misfortunes that brought about their unhappy endings in the league.
1. Terry Connor (Wolverhampton 2012)
Terry Connor was an unfortunate choice as manager for Wolverhampton in 2012, and by all accounts, his tenure was nothing short of disastrous. Despite being an assistant coach for the team for several years prior, he struggled to make the necessary adjustments as head coach and failed to earn a single win in his 13 Premier League games in charge. His squad’s efforts on the field seemed lackluster at best, and many criticized his tactical decisions as being largely ineffective. Frustratingly, Terry was unable to turn things around for the team, and they ultimately fell to the bottom of the Premier League table. Unfortunately, his coaching career never quite recovered from this debacle, and it remains one of the worst managerial stints in Premier League history.
2. Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace 2017)
Frank de Boer’s brief stint as the head coach of Crystal Palace in 2017 did not end well. He holds the unenviable record for the shortest training period in the history of the English Premier League, having been dismissed after just four matches in charge. This disastrous start to the season put De Boer firmly among the worst Premier League managers of all time. Despite his impressive record with Ajax, the team failed to win a single match under his guidance, leaving Palace rooted to the bottom of the league. It was a disappointing end to a promising appointment that ultimately crumbled under the pressure of the English top-flight.
3. Bob Bradley (Swansea City 2016)
Next on the list of worst Premier League managers of all time is Bob Bradley. The American coach was appointed by Swansea City in 2016 to replace Francesco Guidolin, who had guided the team to a 13th place finish the previous season. Unfortunately for Bradley, his tenure at Swansea was short-lived and largely forgettable. He managed to win just two of his 11 games in charge, both in the FA Cup, and his lack of tactical nous and poor decision-making were painfully evident. While Bradley may have had success in the MLS and with the US National team, his time in the Premier League was a disaster. Despite some objections from Jorge Fossati, it was ultimately clear that Bradley was not the right man for the job at Swansea.
4. Rene Meulensteen (Fulham 2013-2014)
Moving on to number four on the list of worst Premier League managers of all time, we have Rene Meulensteen, who had a disastrous stint at Fulham during the 2013-2014 season. After being appointed as head coach midway through the season, Meulensteen struggled to keep the team afloat in the league, ultimately leading to their relegation. Despite his pedigree as a former assistant manager at Manchester United, Meulensteen was unable to instill the necessary changes to turn the team’s fortunes around. His tactics were often criticized for being too predictable and his insistence on playing a high defensive line ultimately proved costly for the Cottagers. All in all, Meulensteen’s time at Fulham was a forgettable one and serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring managers.
5. Jacques Santini (Tottenham Hotspur 2004)
Moving on to the fifth spot in the list of the worst Premier League managers of all time is Jacques Santini, who managed Tottenham Hotspur in 2004. Santini’s stint as the head coach of Tottenham was short-lived, lasting only 13 games before he quit the job due to personal reasons. He failed to produce any significant results during his time at the club, winning only three games and losing four. Tottenham finished the season in ninth position, which was not satisfactory for the club’s management or for the fans. Although Santini’s experience and credentials were impressive, his tenure at Tottenham was not one to remember. His uninspiring leadership and poor results made him one of the worst managers in the history of the Premier League.
6. Les Reed (Charlton Athletic 2006)
Les Reed’s time as the manager of Charlton Athletic from 2006 was short-lived and unmemorable. He took over from Iain Dowie in November, but could only manage three draws and three losses in his seven-game tenure before being sacked. Charlton was eventually relegated to the Championship that season, which made matters worse for Reed’s reputation. Despite his lackluster performance, Reed was not deterred from the sport and continued to work as a coach and consultant in England and abroad. As one of the ten worst Premier League managers of all time, Reed’s failure serves as a cautionary tale of the risks and challenges in managing a top-flight football club.
7. Leroy Rosenior (Brentford 2006)
Leroy Rosenior, the former Brentford manager in 2006, was included in the list of the top 10 worst Premier League managers of all time. Despite achieving success in the lower leagues before his appointment at Brentford, he struggled to produce results in the top-flight. Rosenior was in charge for just five months and recorded only two wins in 13 matches. His tenure ended with Brentford’s relegation to League One. Rosenior’s spell at Brentford is a clear example of how challenging it can be for managers to make the transition from lower leagues to the Premier League.
8. John Barnes (Tranmere Rovers 2009)
John Barnes is another unfortunate addition to the list of worst Premier League managers. In 2009, Barnes took over as head coach of Tranmere Rovers, but his tenure was far from successful. He won only once in his six games in charge, and his team eventually finished in the relegation zone. Barnes’ previous coaching experience was limited, and it showed on the field. His tactics were often criticized, and his inability to motivate the players proved to be a significant drawback. The lack of success during his time at Tranmere Rovers effectively ended his coaching career at the top level. His story shows that even legendary soccer players may not necessarily make great managers.
9. Alan Pardew (West Bromwich Albion 2017-2018)
Alan Pardew is a seasoned English football manager, but his brief stint with West Bromwich Albion in the 2017-2018 season was nothing short of a disaster. With a win percentage of just 5.5%, Pardew’s tenure ranks seventh on the list of the worst Premier League managers of all time. He took over from Tony Pulis in November, but failed to turn the team’s fortunes around and was sacked after just four months with the club. Pardew’s lackluster results and inability to motivate his team proved to be his downfall, and his exit was a relief for West Brom fans. Despite his poor run at the club, Pardew’s track record as a football manager suggests that he may still have success elsewhere in the future.
10. Paul Jewell (Derby County 2007-2008)
Paul Jewell’s reign as the manager of Derby County during the 2007-2008 season is considered to be one of the worst in Premier League history. He inherited a weak squad and failed to bolster it during the transfer window. With just one win all season, Derby County became the second team to be relegated before the end of March. Their total of 11 points was the lowest ever recorded in the Premier League. Jewell’s lack of tactics and motivation were questioned by the players and the media. He was unable to turn the team’s fortunes around and was eventually replaced. It’s no surprise that Paul Jewell makes the list of the 10 worst Premier League managers of all time.
