Most football fans know that being a manager is arguably the worst career choice possible when it comes to job security as coaches are sacked regularly in an attempt by clubs to achieve top-level success.
Across Europe’s top leagues, coaches are either sacked or choose to resign frequently throughout the season, with the length of time a manager stays in charge getting shorter in recent times.
With each defeat a club suffers, the patience with managers is growing thin as coaches’ sacking most times forms a major part of football transfer discussion.
As the pressure to deliver results intensifies, the revolving door of managerial changes highlights the high stakes and cutthroat nature of one of football’s most competitive leagues.
As the 2024-25 European season approaches the often dreaded Christmas period with many fixtures in just a short period, many determining factors influence a team’s performance.
At this time, a long list of managers across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 have been sacked this campaign.
Sporting NaomisophyBlog presents managers in Europe’s top five leagues who have been sacked this campaign.
Erik ten Hag, Manchester United
Former Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag became the first Premier League manager to be sacked on 28 October, when he was dismissed following his team’s 2-1 loss against West Ham United.
After Ruud van Nistelrooy was caretaker for a few games, Ten Hag was permanently replaced by former Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim on November 11.
Erik ten Hag was relieved of his duties after the club dropped to a lowly 14th in the table, marking their fourth defeat in nine league games.
The club, which has 20 top-flight league titles to its name, including 13 titles following the EPL’s rebranding in 1992, suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Brighton, Liverpool, Tottenham, and West Ham.
Due to the club’s lacklustre season start, the Dutch manager was replaced in late October 2024 by his assistant and former club striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, as interim manager. Nistelrooy bagged three wins and a draw.
Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
United currently sits in the 13th position on the log, with 22 points, under new manager Ruben Amorim. Their latest win was a late 2-1 thrilling comeback victory over archrivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
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