By Abigail Philip David
The 2024/25 English Premier League season has witnessed a whirlwind of managerial changes, with four managers losing their jobs in just seven weeks. The high-stakes competition and unrelenting pressure for results have made the managerial role one of the most volatile positions in football.
Between October 28 and December 15, 2024, four managers were shown the exit door, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the league. Speculation continues to grow over who might be next, as club owners show little patience for underperformance.
This report takes a closer look at the managers who have been dismissed so far.
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Erik ten Hag (Manchester United)
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was dismissed after the club slumped to 14th in the league table, suffering four defeats in their first nine games. Heavy losses to Brighton, Liverpool, Tottenham, and West Ham sealed his fate in late October 2024.
Ten Hag, appointed in April 2022, had previously led United to two domestic trophies, including the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. However, a disappointing start to the season saw him replaced by interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who secured three wins and a draw before Ruben Amorim took over.
Under Amorim’s leadership, United recently climbed to 13th with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Steve Cooper (Leicester City)
Leicester City parted ways with Steve Cooper in November 2024 following a 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea. The former Nottingham Forest manager had only been at the club since June 2024 but failed to deliver, with the team managing just two wins, four draws, and six losses in the league.
Cooper’s tenure was marred by a five-game winless streak, leaving Leicester in 16th place at the time of his dismissal. The Foxes have since slipped to 17th, two points above the relegation zone, after losing half of their 16 league matches this season.
Gary O’Neil (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Wolves sacked Gary O’Neil on December 15, 2024, following a run of four consecutive league defeats. O’Neil, who was appointed last year, oversaw just two wins from 16 games this season.
Wolves currently sit second from the bottom with nine points, having lost 11 matches. O’Neil’s final game in charge was marred by a red card for midfielder Rayan Aït-Nouri, as Wolves suffered another disappointing loss.
Russell Martin (Southampton)
Newly promoted Southampton dismissed Russell Martin on December 15, 2024, after a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham. The Saints, who are rooted to the bottom of the table with 13 losses, are now nine points from safety.
Martin, 38, had guided Southampton to promotion last season by beating Leeds United in the play-off final. However, the club’s poor performances this season led to what the board described as a “difficult decision” to part ways.
The Guardiola Factor: Could Success Turn Sour?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remains one of the most successful figures in football, having delivered multiple Premier League titles, domestic trophies, and a long-awaited Champions League win.
Despite his impressive resume, Guardiola’s current season has been underwhelming. City, six-time champions, have only managed eight wins from 16 matches, leaving them fifth in the table and nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
While Guardiola’s position seems secure for now, the relentless demands of modern football mean no manager, no matter how accomplished, is immune to scrutiny.
As the 2024/25 season unfolds, the Premier League managerial merry-go-round is likely far from over. Fans and pundits alike are already speculating about which manager might be next to face the axe.
