Worst Premier League Managers Ever!

Tim Sherwood’s first win as Aston Villa boss last night brings his win percentage as Villains boss to 33.33%.

While it’s obviously too early for these statistics to be meaningful, it didn’t stop Sherwood claiming to be Tottenham’s most successful ever manager – after just 22 games in charge.

So, taking Tim’s lead, we’ve had a look at the worst ever Premier League managers ever who’ve been in charge for at least 22 games…

10. Iain Dowie, Crystal Palace, Charlton, & Hull City, 59 games, 17%

Dowie did guide Palace into the Premier League via the play-offs but his record in the top flight wasn’t as successful.

Palace were relegated after one season, and he lasted just 15 matches in his next Premier League job with Charlton Athletic. He got another chance at the big-time with Bradford City, when Phil Brown was placed on “gardening leave” but won just one out of nine games as the Tigers were relegated.

9. Jim Jeffries, Bradford City, 24 games, 17%

Jeffies took over from the even more disastrous Chris Hutchings at the Bantams in November 2002 but guided them to relegation after just four wins in 24 matches.

Stan Collymore later described him as being “one of the most useless managers” he’d worked under with training regimes “from 1975”.

8. Brian McDermott, Reading, 29 games, 17%

McDermott took over at Reading after Brendan Rodgers’ departure by mutual consent in 2009, and won Championship Manager of the Year in 2012 as he guided the Royals to the top flight.

However, he didn’t last a full season in the Premier League, as he was sacked in March 2013 having won just five of 29 games.

7. Mickey Adams, Leicester City & Nottingham Forest, 43 games, 16%

The current Tramere Rovers boss has had a journeyman managerial career, managing eleven clubs in the last 18 years.

His chance in the top tier failed miserably though. He had been caretaker manager at Nottingham Forest for one game but his shot at the Premier League came when he got Leicester City promoted in 2003. However, the Foxes were relegated with just 33 points and Adams has spent his career since managing in the lower divisions.

6. Lawrie Sanchez, Fulham, 22 games, 14%

Sanchez had impressed at Wycombe Wanderers and was appointed Fulham boss, while still managing Northern Ireland, in April 2007.

He managed to keep the Cottagers up but was sacked midway through the following season, as his side languished in the relegation places.

5. Mark McGhee, Leicester City, 24 games, 13%

The current Scotland assistant is another with a nomadic managerial CV and boasted an impressive record in his first role at Reading.

This earned him a move to Premier League Leicester City in December 1994, but won just three matches as they dropped back to the second tier.

4. Chris Hutchings, Wigan & Bradford City, 24 games, 13%

Jeffries’ predecessor at Bradford City, but a win against Chelsea was his only one in twelve games.

He got another chance with Wigan Athletic but was sacked again after seven successive defeats left the Latics in the relegation zone.

3. Aidy Boothroyd, Watford, 38 games, 13%

There was a time when Boothroyd was hailed as future managerial star and this was cemented when he won promotion with Watford in 2006.

However, the Premier League was a step too far for the Hornets who finished bottom with a miserable five wins. Boothroyd is currently manager of England under-20s.

2. John Gorman, Swindon Town, 42 games, 12%

Gorman was assistant to Glenn Hoddle at Swindon when they won promotion to the top tier in 1993. Hoddle left for Chelsea and Gorman was appointed to manage them in their maiden season in the Premier League.

It was a disaster. They conceded 100 goals, finishing bottom with 30 points. Gorman held onto his job but was sacked after a poor start to the following season.

1. Roy McFarland, Bolton Wanderers, 22 games, 9%

He managed for just 22 games in the Premier League but, statistically, Roy McFarland is the division’s worst ever manager. He took over the promoted side following Bruce Rioch’s move to Arsenal but, despite several signings, won just two matches before he was sacked on New Year’s Day 1996.

Colin Todd took over but was unable to save them from finishing bottom. However, McFarland’s record was so poor, that Todd’s form would have guided Bolton to 14th if extrapolated across a full season.