SUMMARY
- Premier League managers want new regulations to make it harder to sack them.
- Managers want to limit getting sacked during transfer windows only.
The Premier League, known for its thrilling football and high-profile transfers, is facing calls for reform from within. While we get to see top-class players earning transfers every window. We also get to see several high-profile managers get the sack as well.
A group of seasoned executives working in the Premier League have expressed their desire for the League Managers Association to advocate for a modification in the regulations concerning the timing of dismissals.
Managers setting high demands in their job safety
Leading managers in the Premier League are reported to be pushing for new regulations that would make it more difficult for them to be sacked. According to a report by The Sun, these managers are seeking changes that would only permit sackings during the transfer windows.
🚨 Premier League managers want to bring in a rule which will see them treated the same as players, and only be allowed to move clubs or be sacked during transfer windows.
(Source: @reluctantnicko) pic.twitter.com/JUqymQOCdk
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 25, 2024
Similar to players, who can only move between clubs in the summer and winter transfer windows. Top-level bosses believe that they too should operate within a similar system. The League Managers Association is reportedly being lobbied by experienced Premier League managers for a change of rules. The current sackings are considered too easy.
One anonymous manager stated, “Players have contracts and rules that mean they are not moved outside of the windows. It should be the same for us.” It would come as a big surprise if clubs in the Premier League voted to introduce such a rule.
This rule would prevent them from changing their manager at any time, even though the idea may sound logical. This is because the transfer windows for players have been well-established and administered at an international level.
Premier League managers sacked so far
During the 2022-23 season, 12 managers were sacked, including two managers each from Chelsea and Leeds who were relieved of their duties. Two more bosses left their posts by mutual consent. This season, the rate of departures has decreased, with only three managers being sacked.
A record 14 Premier League managers ⚽️ including Steven Gerrard (Aston Villa), Frank Lampard (Everton) & Antonio Conte (Tottenham) have been sacked ❌ this season, the most of any season in Premier League history. 😮
Will the managerial carnage continue? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/bgcCKwgGaD
— Unibet Australia (@UNIBETAustralia) May 12, 2023
In December, Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom and Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper were both fired. Whereas Bournemouth sacked Gary O’Neil ahead of pre-season to bring in Andoni Iraola. Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui left Wolves by mutual consent on the eve of the campaign, and Roy Hodgson stepped down at Crystal Palace last week after a health scare. Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Liverpool at the end of this season.
However, the EFL Championship has witnessed six sackings already this season, with Sunderland’s Michael Beale and Millwall’s Joe Edwards being the latest to depart. League One has seen ten sackings, while League Two has had 13 managers depart. This trend indicates that owners have less patience than in the past.
