5 Shortest-Serving Managers In The Premier League

The Premier League’s 2026/27 season has begun with a major change in the dugout, as a significant number of clubs appointed new managers during the summer.

That has created an unusual situation at the start of the campaign. Nine clubs entered the new season with managers who had only recently taken charge, giving the league its biggest group of new bosses in decades.

The shortest-serving managers in the Premier League currently include some of the biggest names in the game, along with coaches taking their first major job in England. Manchester City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Newcastle United all have managers who had been in their positions for fewer than 4 months as of October 12th, 2026.

The figures below count the number of days each manager had spent in charge of his current club on that date. All five remain in their roles and are leading their respective sides.

Shortest-serving managers in the Premier League

5. Enzo Maresca – Manchester City – 105 days

: Enzo Maresca becomes only the 4th MANAGER EVER to win his opening SIX Premier League matches in his first season at a new club: ✅ Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea ✅ Pep Guardiola at Man City ✅ Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Man United ✅ Enzo Maresca at Man City https://t.co/ABoYWgP4eM

— The Touchline | (@TouchlineX) October 11, 2026

Enzo Maresca had spent 105 days as Manchester City manager at the time of writing. The Italian took over from Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard’s remarkable decade at the Etihad Stadium came to an end.

Maresca already knew Manchester City well. He previously managed the club’s Elite Development Squad and later returned as one of Guardiola’s assistants.

His first senior Premier League opportunity came at Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup before leaving in January 2026. City then brought him back to succeed Guardiola where he has started with 6 wins from 6 in the Premier league and the team looks exceptional.

4. Xabi Alonso – Chelsea – 103 days

Xabi Alonso had been Chelsea manager for 103 days at the time of writing. The former Liverpool midfielder arrived at Stamford Bridge after a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid.

Alonso built his coaching reputation at Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the club to an unbeaten domestic double in 2023/24. He then took charge of Real Madrid before agreeing to return to England.

Chelsea represent another major test for the Spaniard, who began his Premier League tenure with a 3-2 victory away at Fulham.

3. Oliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest – 102 days

Oliver Glasner had spent 102 days in charge of Nottingham Forest at the time of writing. The Austrian became the club’s new head coach after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Glasner enjoyed considerable success at Palace, winning the FA Cup before adding the UEFA Conference League the following season.

His arrival at Forest gave the club an experienced coach with European success behind him. Now, he has the task of building a competitive side at the City Ground.

2. Alvaro Arbeloa – Fulham – 97 days

Alvaro Arbeloa has been Fulham head coach for 97 days at the time of writing. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender returned to England in a managerial role after developing his coaching career within the Madrid system.

Arbeloa previously worked with Real Madrid’s youth teams and later took charge of the club’s senior side on an interim basis. Fulham handed him his first permanent Premier League job.

His appointment followed Marco Silva’s departure and marked a new chapter for the West London club.

1. Matthias Jaissle – Newcastle United – 67 days

Matthias Jaissle had spent just 67 days as Newcastle United head coach at the time of writing, making him the shortest-serving manager among the five.

Newcastle appointed the German on August 5 after Eddie Howe stepped down following almost five years at St James’ Park.

Jaissle arrives with two Austrian Bundesliga titles from his time at RB Salzburg and major Asian success with Al-Ahli. At 38, he is one of the youngest managers in the Premier League.

His Newcastle tenure had barely reached the two-week mark by August 21, yet he had already taken charge of the club as its new permanent head coach.

Who is in danger of losing their job?

Four of the five managers look like they are making a decent start at their new clubs with Enzo Maresca clearly the best but Man Utd boss Michael Carrick is leading the sack race according to Oddschecker.