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Wayne Rooney the leading name as 43 manager changes in Premier League and EFL this season

A staggering 43 managers have been either sacked or left clubs in the Premier League and EFL so far this season.

The football industry is a cut-throat one, something that Rob Elliot is sure to agree on following his clinical dismissal from Crawley Town last week.

Rob Elliot became the latest managerial casualty in the EFL, being sacked with nine games left to play this season

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Rob Elliot became the latest managerial casualty in the EFL, being sacked with nine games left to play this seasonCredit: Getty

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Elliot became the Football League's latest managerial casualty when the League One outfit axed him after just five months in charge, who currently sit 22nd in the third tier and 12 points adrift of safety

The decision sees the 38--year-old join the likes of Wayne Rooney and Erik ten Hag among the managers to be shown the door in English football's top four divisions.

With plenty of coaches seeing their seasons cut short, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at the dismissals across the pyramid this term.

Premier League

Erik ten Hag departed Old Trafford with Man United sitting 14th in the Premier League

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Erik ten Hag departed Old Trafford with Man United sitting 14th in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP

Arguably the most high-profile exit across the EFL this term has been Manchester United's sacking of Erik ten Hag.

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The Dutchman became the Premier League's first departure of the season when he was relieved of his duties at Old Trafford on October 28, after the Red Devils' 2-1 loss to West Ham.

This was followed by a string of sackings among the league's relegation-threatened sides, with Steve Cooper receiving his marching orders next from Leicester on November 24.

Gary O'Neil and Russell Martin were then dismissed by Wolves and Southampton on the same day in December, with their two sides occupying the bottom two places in the Premier League table.

West Ham's Julen Lopetegui was next on the chopping block on January 8 after a poor start to the season, before Everton axed Sean Dyche just a day later.

Manager Club Date Time in charge

Erik ten Hag Man United October 28 889 days

Steve Cooper Leicester November 24 157 days

Gary O'Neil Wolves December 15 494 days

Russell Martin Southampton December 15 543 days

Julen Lopetegui West Ham January 8 230 days

Sean Dyche Everton January 9 710 days

Championship

Mark Robins was appointed Stoke boss in January following his dismissal by Coventry, becoming the Potters' third manager of the season

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Mark Robins was appointed Stoke boss in January following his dismissal by Coventry, becoming the Potters' third manager of the seasonCredit: Getty

The managerial merry-go-round has been a much busier affair in the second tier, with a total of 12 dismissals so far.

Ryan Lowe was the first manager to depart across the EFL this season when he left Preston by mutual consent after just one game this season, which ended in a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

Stoke have been the Championship's most ruthless employers, first getting rid of Steven Schumacher in September, before sacking his replacement Narcis Pelach just three months later.

The 2024/25 campaign has also seen the comings and goings of some high-profile figures.

In November, Coventry dismissed Mark Robins after over seven years in charge, replacing him with Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

Manchester United and England great Wayne Rooney's dismal spell in charge of Plymouth then came to an end on New Years' Eve, who was shown the door with the Pilgrims rock bottom of the Championship.

Wayne Rooney won just five of his 25 games in charge of Plymouth

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Wayne Rooney won just five of his 25 games in charge of PlymouthCredit: Getty

Manager Club Date Time in charge

Ryan Lowe Preston August 12 979 days

Steven Schumacher Stoke September 16 272 days

Erol Bulut Cardiff September 22 477 days

Mark Robins Coventry November 7 2803 days

Tim Walter Hull November 27 180 days

Neil Harris Millwall December 10 293 days

Des Buckingham Oxford December 15 395 days

Carlos Corberan West Brom December 24 791 days

Narcis Pelach Stoke December 27 100 days

Wayne Rooney Plymouth December 31 220 days

Rob Edwards Luton January 9 784 days

Paul Warne Derby February 7 869 days

John Eustace Blackburn February 12 367 days

Luke Williams Swansea February 17 409 days

League One

Shaun Maloney spent four years at Wigan as a player, before being appointed as manager in 2023

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Shaun Maloney spent four years at Wigan as a player, before being appointed as manager in 2023Credit: Getty

Neil Critchley was the second EFL boss to be dismissed this term when he was let go by third tier outfit Blackpool in August, with the Tangerines having lost both of their opening games.

January saw the departure of the second-longest serving manager in the Football League when Ian Evatt was relieved of his duties at Bolton after four-and-a-half years at the wheel.

Cambridge then sacked ex-Swansea boss Garry Monk in February, with the club sitting rock bottom of League One and having won just nine games throughout his 11-month tenure.

March has been the busiest period in terms of departures, with Wigan dismissing Shaun Maloney just two days into the month.

This was followed by the sackings of Michael Duff, Darrell Clarke and Rob Elliot by Huddersfield, Barnsley and Crawley respectively.

Manager Club Date Time in charge

Neil Critchley Blackpool August 21 456 days

Scott Lindsey Crawley September 24 622 days

Mark Robinson Burton October 23 141 days

Paul Hurst Shrewsbury November 3 284 days

Ruben Selles Reading December 5 523 days

Jon Brady Northampton December 5 1394 days

Matt Taylor Bristol Rovers December 16 381 days

Matt Bloomfield Wycombe January 13 691 days

Ian Evatt Bolton January 22 1666 days

Garry Monk Cambridge February 16 349 days

Shaun Maloney Wigan March 2 764 days

Michael Duff Huddersfield March 9 299 days

Darrell Clarke Barnsley March 12 293 days

Rob Elliot Crawley March 19 169 days

League Two

Mike Williamson lasted just four months in charge of Carlisle

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Mike Williamson lasted just four months in charge of CarlisleCredit: Getty

The EFL's fourth tier has had it's fair share of comings and goings, which was kickstarted by Carlisle sacking Paul Simpson on August 31, having lost three of their opening four games.

In his place, the Blues appointed Mike Williamson, who left this role at MK Dons to take over at Brunton Park.

But in one of the most bizarre dismissals of the season, Williamson was relieved of his duties at Carlisle in February, despite the club allowing him to make 12 signings in the winter transfer window.

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His replacement at Stadium MK, Scott Lindsey, also fell victim to League Two's managerial merry-go-round, with the Dons sacking him in early March.

Elsewhere, ex-Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam was let go by Fleetwood in December following a run of one win in 11 league games.

Manager Club Date Time in charge

Paul Simpson Carlisle August 31 920 days

Mike Williamson MK Dons September 18 337 days

Mark Kennedy Swindon November 3 284 days

Charlie Adam Fleetwood December 22 357 days

Mark Bonner Gillingham January 5 243 days

Stephen Clemence Barrow January 19 233 days

Mike Williamson Carlisle February 3 137 days

Nigel Adkins Tranmere February 25 534 days

Scott Lindsey MK Dons March 2 158 days

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