Top 10 Shortest Managerial Reigns in Football History: In football management, a manager’s career can be as unpredictable as the game they lead. Troy Deeney‘s recent 29-day stint at Forest Green Rovers might have grabbed headlines, but it doesn’t crack the top 10 list of shortest managerial reigns in football history. From 10th place down to the remarkable 10-minute tenure, let’s delve into the stories of managers who faced the axe in record time.
List of the Top 10 Shortest Managerial Reigns in Football History
10. Paul Hart (QPR) – 28 days:
Troy Deeney’s brief tenure at Forest Green managed to outlast Paul Hart by just a single day. Hart’s December 2009 appointment at QPR ended after just five games, marked by a series of losses and a notable draw against Sheffield United. The financial struggles and on-field disappointments culminated in his dismissal after a mere 28 days.
9. Oscar Garcia (Watford) – 27 days:
In 2014, Oscar Garcia had a fleeting experience in the Watford dugout, lasting only 27 days. Health concerns forced him to step away, making him just one of four managers in Watford’s tumultuous season. Despite his short-lived stint, Garcia continued his managerial career, coaching various teams including Red Bull Salzburg and Olympiacos.
8. Micky Adams (Swansea City) – 13 days:
Micky Adams couldn’t even survive two weeks at Swansea City in 1997. Complaining about financial issues, Adams, fresh from being sacked by Fulham, managed just three games before his dismissal. Despite his brief tenure at Swansea, Adams went on to achieve four promotions in his managerial career with Fulham, Brighton, Leicester, and Port Vale.
7. Martin Ling (Cambridge United) – Nine days:
Martin Ling’s nine-day stint at Cambridge United in August 2009 ended due to a disagreement with chairman George Rolls. Ling later returned to the position when Rolls left, ultimately staying at the club until February 2011. Ling hasn’t vanished from the football scene, currently serving as the director of football for Leyton Orient.
6. Billy McKinlay (Watford) – Eight days:
Watford’s reputation for quick sackings continued with Billy McKinlay’s eight-day managerial spell. McKinlay, who left his role as assistant manager for Northern Ireland to take the position, found himself replaced even sooner as Watford’s owners redirected their focus. In a twist of fate, Watford achieved promotion just months after McKinlay’s departure.
5. Jack Crompton (Luton Town) – Eight days:
Jack Crompton, having retired as a player, returned to Luton Town in a managerial role. Advised by doctors to leave due to illness, Crompton’s second stint in charge lasted only eight days. Despite the setback, he found coaching success, notably leading Bobby Charlton’s Preston North End side.
4. Kevin Cullis (Swansea City) – Seven days:
Kevin Cullis, a civil engineer by trade, earned the dubious distinction of being appointed as Swansea City’s manager for just seven days. With minimal football coaching experience, Cullis became the subject of media jokes. The bizarre appointment, requested by a billionaire looking to take over the club, ended with Cullis being sacked by a furious chairman.
3. Dave Bassett (Crystal Palace) – Four days:
Dave Bassett’s managerial career at Crystal Palace lasted a mere four days. Despite great success at Wimbledon, Bassett quickly changed his mind about the Palace role. His coaching career, however, continued, with seven promotions to his name and roles at Leicester City and Leeds United.
2. Bill Lambton (Scunthorpe United) – Three days:
Bill Lambton holds the second spot for the shortest managerial reign, leaving Scunthorpe United after just three days. Later claims suggested that his agreement in April 1959 was only verbal and not formalized. Lambton went on to take a caretaker role at Grimsby Town immediately afterwards, but his managerial career lasted only two seasons at Chester.
1. Leroy Rosenior (Torquay United) – 10 minutes:
Leroy Rosenior’s 10-minute managerial spell at Torquay United stands as the shortest employment in football history. Despite past success with the club, Rosenior’s reunion was cut short by a local consortium with a different vision. The consortium opted for Exeter City assistant manager Paul Buckle, and Rosenior didn’t even have time to take off his coat before being shown the door.
These ten managers experienced the shortest reigns in history, facing various challenges, controversies, and unexpected exits. While Troy Deeney’s 29-day spell at Forest Green Rovers grabbed the attention, these tales serve as a reminder of the fleeting nature of managerial positions in the beautiful game.
