Shortest tenures in Premier League history as Nottingham Forest plot Ange Postecoglou sack
Ange Postecoglou could join an unwanted list of shortest managerial tenures in Premier League history if he is sacked by Nottingham Forest.
Postecoglou has only been in charge of Nottingham Forest for 27 days and already the former Spurs boss could be sacked.
Nottingham Forest are likely to sack Postecoglou, with the international break deemed an ideal period to switch managers.
The decision from Nottingham Forest to sack Nuno Espirito Santo looks worse by the game, with the Tricky Trees currently winless in nine matches and only a point above the relegation zone.
Below are the five shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history.
5 – Bob Bradley – 84 days
Bob Bradley became the first American to manage in the Premier League when he took charge of Swansea City in October 2016.
Bradley’s tenure in English football though only lasted 84 days and 11 games in charge, and the Swans were justified for making the change as they kept their Premier League status by seven points.
One of his two Premier League wins though was that crazy 5-4 thriller against Crystal Palace, and in parallel with Postecoglou his first game was a defeat at Arsenal.
He has currently been out of work for over a year following his most recent job in Norway in charge of Stabæk.
4 – Frank de Boer – 77 days
In terms of matches, Frank de Boer is the shortest serving Premier League match, but the Dutchman comes fourth on this list in terms of days he was in charge of Crystal Palace during the 2017-18 season.
De Boer took charge of just four Premier League games, all defeats, which forced the South London club to sack him after only 77 days.
| Match | Result |
| Crystal Palace vs Huddersfield | 0-3 |
| Liverpool vs Crystal Palace | 1-0 |
| Crystal Palace vs Swansea City | 0-2 |
| Burnley vs Crystal Palace | 1-0 |
A 2-1 win over Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup was his only success, with Roy Hodgson replacing him and leading Crystal Palace to an 11th placed Premier League finish.
3 – Rene Meulensteen – 75 days
The former assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United, Rene Meulensteen’s own managerial tenure only lasted days and not several years.
Meulensteen originally joined Fulham as number two to Martin Jol during the 2013-14 season, but once he was sacked three weeks later the Cottagers handed the Dutchman the managerial vacancy.
A 2-1 defeat to Spurs began his reign and he won just four of his 17 matches in charge before being replaced by Felix Magath after 75 days.
Magath could not keep Fulham up as the London club finished 19th, and four points from safety.
2 – Les Reed – 41 days
Les Reed also followed a similar path to Meulensteen when he arrived at Charlton to become Ian Dowie’s assistant manager in 2006.
Dowie though was dismissed in November of the 2006-2007 campaign, and Reed stepped up, but only lasted 41 days in charge.
Charlton were relegated in 19th position, four points from safety, and the Addicks have not returned to the top flight since.
1 – Sam Allardyce – 30 days
Sam Allardyce holds the record for the shortest tenure in Premier League history, a stat Postecoglou will could break if sacked by Nottingham Forest.
Allardyce took charge of Leeds United‘s last four Premier League games during the 2022-23 season when the club were outside of the bottom three on goal difference.
However, Leeds ended up being relegated in 19th, five points adrift of Everton in 17th position.
Allardyce, known for rescuing teams down the bottom of the Premier League in danger of relegation, could not win any of his four matches to save Leeds.
Just 30 days after taking charge, Allardyce left the club by mutual consent and he has not had a job since.