More than a quarter of all Premier League clubs have changed managers so far this season with seeking improvement as their main objective. In just a span of a month, six of them were sacked primarily due to a stretch of poor Premier League 2021 results.
Watford’s Xisco Munoz was the first domino to fall, then it was followed by Steve Bruce 13 days after the lucrative Saudi Arabia-backed takeover of Newcastle United, which effectively made them one of the richest clubs in all of Europe.
After Xisco and Bruce, Nuno Espirito Santo, Daniel Farke, Dean Smith, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all experienced the same fate in November, triggering a managerial merry-go-round of sorts.
Read on below as SBOTOP runs through all the managers who have left their respective posts this 2021/22 campaign.
Xisco Munoz
Xisco was the first casualty after seven games into the 2021/2022 season. He took over at Vicarage Road back in December 2020 where he replaced Vladimir Ivic.
With Watford yearning for a Premier League return, the Spaniard did just that by guiding the Hornets to promotion as they sat at second place in the Championship with two matches to spare.
They had a mixed start to life back in English top-flight, though, and Xisco departed from his post – leaving Watford 15th in the standings.
He was replaced by Claudio Ranieri, who guided Leicester City to the Premier League championship back in 2015/16. But as of the moment, their Premier League 2021 odds of dropping down to the relegation zone remain high.
Steve Bruce
The second manager to be sacked this term was Steve Bruce, which didn’t come as a surprise to anyone following the Saudi Arabia-backed takeover.
Bruce spent two years at St. James Park and he had his chance of auditioning for his job. But with the new owners in town, they’d naturally seek for a more high-profile head coach.
Current Villarreal manager Unai Emery was the favourite to take over, but instead it was former Bournemouth gaffer Eddie Howe who was appointed following the Spaniard’s change of heart.
Despite having a new head coach, Newcastle United remain at the bottom since they’ve yet to win a single game thus far – putting Howe in a difficult position since he has the unenviable job of trying to steer the Magpies out of relegation.
Nuno Espirito Santo
At the start of the season, it felt like Tottenham had found a keeper in Nuno Espirito Santo. But since their three-game winning streak to claim the top spot, the Spurs were unable to sustain their hot start.
After a brutal 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United, Nuno was sacked by Spurs after only four months in charge. He was eventually replaced by Antonio Conte, who was the club’s first choice anyway.
Conte oversaw a 3-2 victory over Vitesse in his first match at the Europa Conference League and it was followed up by a goalless draw against Everton, a win over Leeds United, and a defeat to Slovenian minnows Mura.
Daniel Farke
Farke’s firing was a surprise given the timing especially since it was announced hours after their victory at Brentford – their first league victory of this season.
The German gaffer was responsible in leading the Canaries to winning the Championship back in 2019. And although they were relegated from English top-flight in 2020, they made an immediate return the year after.
Dean Smith
After Daniel Farke, it was Dean Smith’s turn to receive the pink slip after a 1-0 loss to Southampton.
Aston Villa felt the need to fire Smith, who guided them to top-flight promotion via the Championship play-offs in 2019, given their poor run of results.
Smith was succeeded by Steven Gerrard, who guided Rangers through a record-breaking campaign in the Scottish Premiership last term.
Under the former Liverpool captain so far, the Villans have won two straight games against Brighton and Crystal Palace – to which they’ve scored at least two goals. Aston Villa are 13th in the standings with 16 points.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking felt like a long-time coming for Manchester United, although his legacy and impact are going to be remembered fondly by the fans.
Despite having zero trophies during his time at the helm, the Norwegian gave the Red Devils moments of magic and a reason to believe once more after the dark days of Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, and David Moyes.
Solskjaer is arguably the most successful manager in the club’s post-Fergie era as he has left them in a much better place compared to his predecessors.
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