In 2024, numerous football managers across major leagues faced dismissals due to underperformance or strategic shifts by their clubs.
Erik Ten Hag – Manchester United
Ten Hag was sacked on October 28 after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham. Under his leadership, Manchester United struggled, sitting 14th in the Premier League with four losses in nine matches.
Steve Cooper – Leicester City
Leicester parted ways with Cooper on November 24 following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea. The team, 16th in the league, secured only two wins in 12 matches, teetering above relegation.
Gary O’Neil – Wolverhampton Wanderers
O’Neil was dismissed on December 14 after Wolves lost 2-1 to Ipswich Town, leaving them 19th in the table with just two wins in 16 games.
Russell Martin – Southampton
A crushing 5-0 defeat to Spurs on December 14 led to Martin’s sacking as Southampton manager, with the club struggling in the Premier League.
Mark Robins – Coventry City
Robins was unexpectedly relieved on November 7 after a 2-1 defeat to Derby County, ending a tenure that spanned seven years and saw Coventry rise from League Two to the Championship.
Wayne Rooney – Plymouth Argyle
Rooney’s seven-month stint ended on December 31 as Plymouth languished at the bottom of the Championship, winning only four of 23 matches.
Alessio Dionisi – Sassuolo
Dionisi was sacked on February 25 after failing to replicate his earlier successes with Sassuolo in Serie A.
Roberto D’Aversa – Lecce
D’Aversa’s dismissal came on March 11 after a series of disappointing results left Lecce in a precarious Serie A position.
Maurizio Sarri – Lazio
Sarri was sacked on March 13 after underwhelming results in Serie A, failing to meet Lazio’s ambitions.
Ryan Lowe – Preston North End
Lowe’s early-season dismissal came after struggling to meet expectations, ending a tenure that began in December 2021.
Neil Critchley – Blackpool
Critchley was sacked mid-season after poor performances, despite leading Blackpool to promotion in a previous campaign.
These dismissals highlight the challenges and high stakes in football management, where results often dictate tenure.
