The 50 Worst Managerial Reigns List - Completed

[QPR Report]

An ex-player makes part I. But I'm sure we'll be represented!

Daily Mail - THE LIST: 50-41 of the worst managerial reigns ever in English football

We're at that premature stage of the season where club chairman bizarrely get fidgety - get off to a bad start and they have to decide whether to show faith in their manager or sack him before it's all too late.

Has your manager turned a team of world beaters into relegation candidates? Have your best players been shipped out to be replaced by no-hopers?
Every fan has memories of a manager they wish had never stepped through the door - from rubbish dealings in the transfer market to useless formations on the pitch. Some bosses have simply been unforgettable - for all the wrong reasons.

Bryan Gunn, for instance, endured a shocking nine months at Norwich, seeing them relegated to League One followed by a humiliating 7-1 opening day defeat at home to Colchester United that inevitably led to his dismissal.
But where does Gunn rank among the worst managerial reigns in English football?

The crack team of experts at Sportsmail has compiled their list - and as ever please add your views on the worst ever managerial reign by posting your comments below.


50. Juande RamosTottenham Hotspur (October 2007 - October 2008)
Great expectations were placed upon the two-time UEFA Cup winning former Sevilla coach after he after he replaced popular Dutchman Martin Jol.

And he duly delivered, guiding Spurs to their first trophy since 1999 after they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Carling Cup final.

Disappointment: Juande Ramos won the League Cup with Tottenham but things soon turned sour
Things quickly turned sour, though. Ramos was given the boot after Spurs slumped to their worst ever league start,sinking to the foot of the table with two points from their first eight games.

Somehow, soon after, he resurfaced at Real Madrid!


49. Peter TaylorLeicester City (June 2000 - September 2001)
Foxes fiasco: Peter Taylor's spell at Leicester was anything but a success
Martin O'Neill's then-Filbert Street successor is not so fondly remembered by Foxes fans.

Having spent the best part of £23m 'improving' his squad big money disasters such as £5m Ade Akinibiyi saw Leicester crash to a run of nine defeats in 10 games in Taylor's first full season in charge.

Two months into the next term, Taylor was given his marching orders with the doomed club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.


48. Glenn RoederNewcastle (Feb 2006 - May 2007);Norwich (Oct 2007 - Jan 09)
After taking over from Graeme Souness in February of 2006, Roeder expertly guided Newcastle from the relegation zone to a well-earned 7th spot.

Despite a promising start the following, after winning the Intertoto Cup, inconsistent form and only one win in ten games ultimately forced his resignation...

End of the Roed: Glenn Roeder was sacked by both Newcastle and Norwich
And then there was Norwich. In his first season at Carrow Road, the former West Ham boss saved the Canaries from relegation.

But in a carbon copy of his St James' Park departure, Roeder was once again handed his P45.


47. Brian LittleWest Bromwich Albion (August 1999 - March 2000)
The former Aston Villa manager could not improve the form of the relegation threatened Baggies and after selling star man Enzo Maresca, Little's reign at The Hawthorns was brought to an end shortly after eight months in charge.
Poor reigns: Brian Little and Jozef Venglos didn't bring much joy to supporters of West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa


46. Jozef VenglosAston Villa (July 1990 - May 1991)
Following in the footsteps of then England manager Graham Taylor was always going to be a difficult task. The previous season saw Aston Villa finishing as runners up to Liverpool of the old First Division.

So much of the same was expected from the former Czechoslovakia boss. But Villa had a disastrous campaign, narrowly escaping the drop.

'Deadly' Doug Ellis quickly made sure Venglos closed the door behind him.


45. Wilf McGuinnessManchester United (August 1970 - December 1970)
The Impossible Job: Wilf McGuinness followed Sir Matt Busby as Manchester United manager
It takes a brave man to take over from the legendary Sir Matt Busby at Old Trafford. But that is exactly what the 31 year-old was asked to do.

The former England international saw his career cut short at 22 due to a broken leg but as a result he missed the fateful Munich air disaster, that tragically claimed the lives of 11 Manchester United colleagues.

McGuinness did lead United to three domestic cup semi-finals but didn't enjoy the success the demanding United board had expected.

After a 4-4 draw against Derby in December 1970, he was sacked only for Busby to return until the end of the season.


44. Paul InceBlackburn (June 2008 - December 2008)
'The Guv'nor' got his shot at the big time after his impressive rise through the Football League via Macclesfield and MK Dons (where he has now returned).

Frustration: Paul Ince found it tough going as a Premier League boss with Blackburn
But the former England star had a torrid time in charge in his short stint at Ewood Park, winning just three out of 17 games.

Ince blamed his Blackburn demise on a lack of financial backing - quite rich given he had spent over £10m on new players...


43. Luiz Felipe Scolari Chelsea (July 2008 - February 2009)
The World Cup winning manager arrived at Stamford Bridge with many Blues fans anticipating great things from the Brazilian. A 4-0 victory over Portsmouth ensured he got off to a great start.

Giving Chelsea the Blues: Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked in January
But Scolari's failings in the Champions League and the club fading in the Premier League title race, Scolari was promptly dismissed by the ever-demanding Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in
February.


42. Bobby MooreSouthend (February 1984 - April 1986)
Sadly for the greatest England player of all-time, management proved a tough gig for the West Ham legend.

Strife on the seaside: The legendary Bobby Moore pointing out the problems of life in the Fourth Division with Southend to Sportsmail's Jeff Powell in 1984
After taking over at Roots Hall in 1984, Moore had an arduous time gaining results on the pitch just as his superiors at the club did off it.

The Essex club, beset by severe financial difficulties, were almost forced to re-apply for their Football League status.


41. Bryan RobsonMiddlesbrough (May 1994 - December 2000)
Downbeat: Robson had his ups and downs at Boro
Robson made a dream start to life in management, getting Boro' promoted as champions to the Premier League.

His next season in charge started well with Boro safely placed in 12th. The following year, though, was full of heartbreaks at the Riverside.

Robson's men lost two domestic cup finals and suffered relegation. Something they could have avoided, had they not been docked three points for postponing a fixture.


Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1209892/THE-LIST-50-41-worst-managerial-reigns-English-football.html#ixzz0PjstxoAO

[QPR Report]

Next ten (None yet QPR)

THE LIST: 40-31 of the worst managerial reigns ever in English football


40. Terry BullivantReading (August 1997 - May 1998)Current Brentford assistant manager Bullivant took over at Reading at the beginning of their 97/98 season. The season was one of the Royals' worst in recent history with them finishing bottom of Division One. With the writing already on the wall in March, Bullivant was handed a one way ticket out of Elm Park.


39. Tony AdamsPortsmouth (October 2008 - February 2009)
Poor old Tony - such a nice guy but it really didn't work out for him after he grabbed the opportunity to take charge at Fratton Park after Harry Redknapp departed for Spurs. That was the highlight of his reign - he made the transfer from assistant to full manager but was sacked after 16 games in charge - winning just 10 points.


38 Alvin MartinSouthend (June 1997 - March 1999)'Stretch' had a shocking time at Roots Hall between 1997 and 1999, admitting that when he left 'the players were so low, they were on the floor.' His departure was hastened after relegation and defeat to non-league Doncaster in the League Cup, and a reversal at home to fellow Third Division strugglers Hull City.


37 Steve Bleasdale(Peterborough January - April 2005)If in doubt - blame Ron Atkinson. That was was Bleasdale's plan when his spell in charge at London Road took a turn for the worse. He quit after a run of one win in seven games, citing 'interference from others' as the reason behind his departure - a thinly veiled attack on Big Ron who was filming a 'football trouble-shooting' documentary for Sky that season at the club.


36 Sammy Lee(Bolton April - October 2007)Some people are born leaders, some are born to be assistants and after his 11-game spell in charge of Bolton, it's clear that Lee's skills are found in the role of number two. Lee enjoyed just one win with the Trotters after he took over from Sam Allardyce in April 2007 and is now acting as deputy to Rafa Benitez at his former club Liverpool.

Early bath: Sammy Lee didn't last long as Bolton manager


35 Lawrie SanchezFulham (April - December 2007)Sanchez arrived at the Cottage with a fine reputation - the goalscoring hero of the Crazy Gang's 1988 FA Cup win and the man who orchestrated Northern Ireland's famous 1-0 win against England in 2005. Sanchez failed to replicate his success in west London and was sacked after winning just two games all season.

After a promising start, Lawrie Sanchez struggled as manager of Fulham


34 Carlton PalmerMansfield (November 2004 - September 2005)Never work with friends or animals ... Palmer was asked by old friend Keith Haslam to manage The Stags but left after a shocking season had left them close to the bottom of League two. 'I have had a good career and I don't need to take the abuse from the crowd,' he said on his departure. That's right, Carlton, blame the crowd.


33 Malcolm AllisonManchester City (1972 - 1973 )With his sheepskin jacket, fedora hats and cigars, Big Mal should have been a legend. And he was, until he sold all of City's best players. Crowd favourites such as Peter Barnes and Gary Owen departed to be replaced by unknowns such as Michael Robinson and Steve Daley. To add insult to injury, Allsion spent fortunes of City's money while doing it.
City woe: Malcolm Allinson didn't impress in his time at Maine Road


32. Terry ButcherBrentford (May - December 2007)For so many England fans Butcher is a hero - a blood-stained rock in defence for the national side. For Bees fans, he was the man who took their club on a depressingly bad run of five wins in 23 matches.
Frustrating time: Brentford supporters will not remember Terry Butcher's spell in charge of Brentford with any fondness


31. Christian Gross (Spurs)Tottenham (November 1997 - September 1998)Spurs fans may want to look away now. Gross purchased the likes of Nicola Berti, Frode Grodas and Paolo Tramezzani and took his side to a 14th place finish in the League. Up the road, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal won the Double. Two defeats in the first three games of the 1998/99 season and Gross was asked to go away and never come back.


www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1210263/THE-LIST-40-31-worst-managerial-reigns-English-football.html

[QPR Report]

21-30: Still no QPR Managers (but Terry Fenwick is listed)


30 David Platt Nottingham Forest (July 1999 - July 2001) Platt brought little joy to Nottingham Forest and their supporters in his two seasons as manager and is mostly remembered for various questionable forays into the transfer market.

Platt (right) eventually left to manage the England Under 21 side, but failed to impress in that role too.


29 Danny Blanchflower Chelsea (December 1978 - September 1979)Will always be remembered as a truly great player, but Blanchflower's spell as manager of Chelsea was a major disappointment.

He started with a 7-2 defeat at Middlesbrough, and the Blues won just five of 32 games with him in charge.
Time to go: Blanchflower (left), with chairman Brian Mears, as he leaves Chelsea


28 Bobby Charlton Preston (1973- May 1975)
England's all-time leading goalscorer failed in his attempts to replicate success as a player to management.
Taking over at Preston North End in 1973, the Three Lions legend's first season at the Deepdale helm resulted in the Lilywhites' relegation into the old Division Three.
He eventually left North End at the end of the following season.
Bobby Charlton's first season at Deepdale ended in relegation


27 Steve Coppell Manchester City (October 1996 - November 1996) Not the Maine man: Coppell (right) with Francis Lee
The former Manchester United winger vacated the Crystal Palace hot-seat to take charge at Manchester City.
But Coppell's Maine Road reign lasted just 33 days after he sensationally quit, insisting the pressure of the job was too much to handle.
Coppell's Blues stint remains the shortest ever managerial reign of any City boss.


26 Chris Hutchings Bradford (2000 - November 2000) Going once: Hutchings was axed by Bradford
Hutchings lasted a total of 21 competitive games at Bradford after taking over from Paul Jewell.

He won one out of 12 Premier League games, a 2-0 victory over Chelsea on the opening day, before he was sacked in November with Bradford second from bottom despite a number of high-profile signings.


25 Steve Wigley Southampton (August - December 2004)Wigley (right) took over from Paul Sturrock with only three years of management experience at Aldershot Town.

It quickly became obvious he was out of his depth as Saints won just one game - against bitter rivals Portsmouth - before he was given the boot.


24 Dick Bate Southend (June - September 1987 Dick Bate's career at Roots Hall was always going to be difficult after a turbulent introduction that saw notorious chairman Vic Jobson appoint him as manager without consulting his fellow board members.
It didn't get any better as Bate took charge for just 10 games before he was sacked with the worst record of any Southend boss in history.
Bate presided over eight league games, six of which ended in defeat, including an 8-1 thrashing at Gillingham, a 6-2 reverse at Notts County and a 4-1 loss at Port Vale.


23 Peter WitheWimbledon (October 1991 - January 1992) Peter Withe hasn't always been the highly successful manager of both Thailand and Indonesia that we all know him as.

Withe actually started his managerial career at Wimbledon, where he was in charge for a miserable four-month period.

His side won just once in the league and he was replaced after just 105 days at the helm by the club's youth team coach Joe Kinnear.


22 Terry Fenwick Northampton (January - February 2003)The former England defender lasted less than two months at Sixfields.

Fenwick failed to register a single victory (taking two points from a possible 21) and with fans calling for his head after his seventh and final outing he parted company with the club.

Short but not so sweet: Fenwick's reign really was Cobblers


21 Chris Hutchings Going twice: Wigan also ran out of patience
Wigan (May - November 2007)
Hutchings succeeded Paul Jewell for the second time in his career and for the second time in his career he was sacked.
A good start to the Premier League season was undone by six straight losses and the axe fell after a defeat by Chelsea.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1210536/THE-LIST-30-21-worst-managerial-reigns-English-football.html

[QPR Report]

Come on: Where's Ray Harford?

Part IV 11-20

20 Dave Bassett Watford (June 1987 - January 1988)Bassett had the difficult task of taking over from Graham Taylor, who had taken the Hornets to a ninth place finish in the 1986/87 season.
He didn't help himself by selling some of their best players and was sacked with the club in an awful position in the league. Watford didn't recover and were relegated.

Rock and dole: Watford chairman Elton John shares a drink with then manager Dave Bassett, before he was sacked due to dreadful results


Fired Gunn: Former Norwich boss Bryan
19 Bryan Gunn Norwich (January 2009 - August 2009)Bryan is probably cursing his daughter Melissa right now.
She's the one that set up a 'Bryan Gunn for Norwich manager' group on Facebook.
2,000 people signed up, Delia gave him the job and the Canaries were promptly relegated and then hammered 7-1 in their League One season opener by Colchester.


18 Peter Reid Coventry (May 2004 - January 2005) Reid arrived at the Sky Blues with something of a fanfare and a declaration that he would get them back into the Premier League 'where they belong.' Righto.
By the time he left, they were bottom of the First Division. Sky Blues fans can find a Leeds, Sunderland or Man City fan's shoulder to cry on if need be.
Cheer up: Peter Reid


17 Attilio Lombardo/Tomas BrolinCrystal Palace (February 1998 - May 1998) You have to feel sorry for The Bald Eagle and The Tubby Swede as they were given the job at Palace only for things to deteriorate rapidly after that.
The club were in decline under Steve Coppell and when Lombardo took charge he soon became injured.
Palace were relegated and Brolin is so embarrassed by the whole period that he has claimed he was never assistant, just an interpreter.
Bald Eagle: Attilio Lombardo


16 Ian Holloway Leicester (November 2007 - May 2008) Admit it, Holloway is a very likeable character but after winning just nine out of 32 games, he lost a load of mates in the east Midlands.
The former QPR man relegated Leicester during the 2007/2008 season and became the first manager to lead the club to the third tier of English Football.


15 Ruud Gullit Newcastle (July 1998 - August 1999)You can't blame him for wanting to stamp his authority on the club but there are certain ways of going about it.
Committing the ultimate sin of dropping talisman Alan Shearer is not the way to do so.
Add to that his refusal to give captain and club hero Rob Lee a squad number and it meant his time at St James' Park was up.
Ruud boy: Gullit at his Newcastle unveiling


14 Alan Ball Manchester City (June 1995 - August 1996) Where do you start with the mess that was Ball's tenure at Maine Road?
He sold regular goal-scorer Paul Walsh for regular goal-misser Gerry Creaney and led City to one win in the opening 12 league games of the 1995-96 season.
Relegation followed the same season.


13 Bryan Robson Bradford (November 2005 - May 2006) Robson made a great start to his time in Yorkshire by winning his first game. It went awfully wrong from there.
Here's a shocker of a stat for you - The Bantams won 22 points from 27 games under Robson and were relegated in 23rd position.
Robson's short-term contract was, unsurprisingly, not renewed.
Shocker: Bryan Robson


12 Mike Walker Everton (January 1994 - November 1994) Toffees trouble: Mike Walker
Here's a lesson for all budding managers - try and avoid success, it only leads to trouble.
Walker arrived at Goodison Park with a great reputation after his heroics with Norwich but his 10 months in charge brought just six wins and the worst start to a season the club had ever had.
Highlighting just how bad his time there was, he was replaced by Joe Royle who led the Toffees to FA Cup success later that season.


Had a 'mare: Howard Wilkinson
11 Howard Wilkinson Sunderland (October 2002 - March 2003)Arrived from his role at the FA on a shining white steed to save the Black Cats from certain doom after a disastrous start to the 2002-2003 season.

The white steed bit was a lie but the truth is Wilkinson had a 'mare - he won just two out of 20 games and left the club rock-bottom of the Premier League with 19 points.

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1210770/THE-LIST-20-11-worst-managerial-reigns-English-football.html#ixzz0Q1PJ2DQU

[QPR Report]

Not ONE QPR Manager listed. Oh come on! ;D

10 Martin Hinshelwood
Brighton (July - October 2002)There's no doubt about it - Hinshelwood was a real football man but his record at Brighton the second time round after a brief spell the year before is not one he will want to remember.

After an average start to life in the second tier, they went on to lose 12 games on the bounce.


9 Iain Dowie
Charlton (May - November 2006)Dowie (right) arrived at Charlton under a cloud after his acrimonious departure from Crystal Palace but managed to leave The Valley under an even darker cloud.

Dowie struggled to recapture the form the Addicks enjoyed under Alan Curbishley and was sacked after just 15 games in charge with the club languishing in the Premier League relegation zone.


8 Harry Redknapp
Southampton (December 2004 - December 2005)Is this the kind of move any other manager could make?

'Agent' Redknapp left a 'triffic' club in Portsmouth and moved on to 'triffic' Southampton but could not prevent the club from finishing rock bottom - their first relegation from the top flight in 27 years. A dispute with chairman Rupert Lowe over the role of Sir Clive Woodward saw 'Dirty' 'Arry duly depart St Mary's, making an all-too predictable return to Fratton Park.

Times have changed: Redknapp is riding high with Tottenham but it was a different story when he made his short move along the south coast


7 Jacques Santini Tottenham
(June - Nov 2004)What was the point in Santini? His era was meant to be the new, dynamic future of Spurs who were about to prove that they were a really, really big club. Really.

The former France manager (right) lasted 13 games and left because of 'personal issues.'
Aw, diddums.


6 Ossie Ardiles Newcastle (March 1991 - February 1992)Ardiles had worked wonders at Swindon but had a nightmare at Newcastle.

He arrived at St James' Park promising to bring 'samba' football to Tyneside but left a year later with the club firmly rooted to the bottom of Division Two.

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy: Ardiles struggled on Tyneside


5 Egil Olsen
Wimbledon
(June 1999
- May 2000)Nicknamed 'Drillo' due to his dribbling technique, Olsen was the man who oversaw the demise of a dream.

The Norwegian (right) was at the helm as Wimbledon went from the top flight to the second tier of football which began the process that saw them ending up having to move to Milton Keynes.


4 Graeme SounessLiverpool (April 1991 - January 1994)OK, so he won the FA Cup with the Liverpool in 1992 but when you compare that to the domination of domestic and European football they had enjoyed for a decade before that, you can understand why his reign is not looked back on with great fondness.

Come down: Souness has never managed to achieve the same level of success anywhere since leaving Glasgow giants Rangers for Anfield


3 Michael KnightonCarlisle (September 1997 - December 1998)Carlisle had a poor start to the 1997/1998 season, Knighton dismissed manager Mervyn Day and took over the management and coaching of the team himself. It wasn't an inspired move as The Cumbrians were relegated to Division Three and it was only the swinging boot of goalkeeper Jimmy Glass in the last second of the following season that saved them from dropping out of the league all together.

Delusions of grandeur: Knighton


2 Paul JewellDerby (November 2007 - December 2008)Jewell was asked to save Derby who had had an awful start to the 2007/2008 Premier League season. He couldn't quite manange that and ended led the Rams to the League's worst ever points total - 11. The next season in the Championship didn't get much better and Jewell was sacked with the club languishing in 18th place.
What's in a name? Jewell failed to live up to his glittering moniker


1 Brian CloughLeeds (July 1974 - September 1974)Clough succeeded the legendary Don Revie as manager of Leeds, who were at the time the most powerful club in British football. All's good so far... however.

In an incredibly short space of time, he managed to alienate many of star players at Elland Road, notably Johnny Giles, Norman Hunter and Billy Bremner.
He did this by telling the team to discard any medals they had won, accusing them of gamesmanship and winning ugly. Things didn't improve when the season started as Cloughie's side won only one match from six games and when he left Leeds were fourth from bottom with only four points from a possible 12.
Clough departed Leeds on 12th September... just 44 days after he joined.
The Damned United: Clough leads Leeds out at Wembley for 1974's ill-tempered Charity Shield against Bill Shankley's Liverpool

Sportsmail's top 50 football signings of summer 2009Sportsmail's top 50 commentators

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1210980/THE-LIST-10-1-worst-managerial-reigns-English-football.html#ixzz0Q7PXv2FC