The English Premier League is the home of some of the world’s best football managers, past and present. The likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and Carlo Ancelotti have all managed in England’s top league.
However, several managerial appointments have not gone as planned over the years. We look back at some of the worst Premier League managers of all time.
Remi Garde
After impressing in France with Lyon, Remi Garde was signed by Aston Villa in 2015. The Frenchman penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park but lasted just a few months after a horrid time in England.
Garde’s strict management style failed to have the right impact at Villa Park. He had just a 10%-win record and left the Villans at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Terry Connor
Terry Connor’s stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2012 isn’t remembered fondly among the Wolves faithful.
Connor was promoted to the manager role after the sacking of Mick McCarthy, but sadly never found his feet at the club. His dismal record consisted of 13 lackluster matches, which ended up with four draws and nine losses. Eventually, the Wanderers suffered seven successive defeats and were relegated to the EFL Championship.
Terry Connor has been an excellent assistant manager over the years, but the head coach’s seat proved to be too hot to handle.
Frank de Boer
Ultimately, Frank de Boer’s time at Crystal Palace was forgettable. During his short stint as manager, the Dutchman oversaw four losses in EPL matches. In addition, the Eagles failed also to score a single Premier League goal during his tenure.
A 1-0 defeat at Burnley proved to be the final nail in the coffin for de Boer. Whilst he was a great player for Barcelona once upon a time, de Boer wasn’t suited for Premier League management.
Pepe Mel
Pepe Mel was well-known in Spanish football before arriving in England, and he was given his chance to shine in the EPL when West Bromwich Albion offered him an 18-month contract in January 2014.
Mel made a bad start with the Hawthorns – the team failed to win in the first six matches. Despite the Baggies avoiding the drop, the Spaniard picked up just three league wins and left the club at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a huge hit with Manchester United fans during his playing days, yet less so when he later went on to manage the Red Devils in the EPL…
Solskjaer’s first managerial job in England’s top flight came with Welsh team Cardiff City in the 2013-14 season. Newly promoted Cardiff was struggling at the time, and Solskjaer came in during a tough period of the season.
The Norwegian failed to keep the Bluebirds up, as Cardiff finished bottom with just 30 points. He was sacked the following season after a poor start in the Championship.
Bob Bradley
New Jersey-born Bob Bradley became the first American to manage in the English Premier League when he signed for Swansea in 2016. However, his time in Wales was turbulent from start to finish.
The Swansea fans weren’t happy with his appointment in the first place, and Bradley guided the Swans to just two wins from 11 games. After a 4-1 home defeat by West Ham United, Bradley was relieved of his duties in South Wales.
Steve Kean
Steve Kean’s time at Blackburn Rovers was controversial. Despite fan protests and a dreadful run of results on the pitch, the Glaswegian remained the head coach at Ewood Park for almost two years.
Kean eventually took Blackburn down but was still in charge in the Championship. He resigned in 2012, even though the club was sitting third in the second-tier table.
Paul Jewell
Paul Jewell is far from a bad manager. Before his infamous spell with Derby County in 2007, he had actually done a good job with both Bradford City and Wigan Athletic. Unfortunately, though, he’ll always be remembered for his woeful spell with Derby instead.
The Rams managed to pick up just 11 points with Paul at the helm, which remains the lowest EPL points tally of all time. Derby was promoted via the Championship play-offs the season before, but they won just one Premier League game during the entire 2007-08 campaign.
