Crazy Stats on PL Manager Firings: Did the Replacements Do Any Better?
Firing managers is part of the game in soccer. It’s a tough call, but sometimes it really shakes things up for the better. Think about when Liverpool canned Brendan Rodgers and brought in Jürgen Klopp back in 2015. Or how Leicester replaced Nigel Pearson with Claudio Ranieri – who then led them to win the whole dang league! Wild Stats Behind PL Manager Sackings.
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This year, six Premier League teams swapped out their managers after the season started in August. Usually, it’s the teams at the top struggling or those near the bottom trying to avoid getting relegated that make these moves. Sometimes it pays off big time, but other times it just makes matters worse. Let’s see how these new coaches are doing so far.
Ruben Amorim – Manchester United
Replaced: Erik ten Hag
Before he came (W-D-L): 4-3-4 (Win rate: 36.36%)
After he came (W-D-L): 5-3-8 (Win rate: 31.25%)
One of the biggest coaching changes this season was Man U firing Erik ten Hag in late October after a bad start, even though they’d just won the FA Cup. They went after Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon, paying about £21.4 million to get him and his staff over to Old Trafford.
But so far, not so good. Amorim’s win rate is actually a bit worse than Ten Hag’s was before he got the boot. His style doesn’t seem to be clicking with the team right now, but he’s sticking with it, hoping they’ll adapt next season. Still, if Man U keeps playing poorly and starts getting close to the relegation zone – Amorim himself has mentioned this – he might not last long.
David Moyes – Everton
Replaced: Sean Dyche
Before he came: 3-8-8 (Win rate: 15.78%)
After he came: 4-3-1 (Win rate: 50%)
Everton was awful with Sean Dyche at the helm. They only scored 11 goals in 19 league games! So, in January, they brought back club legend David Moyes, and things have totally turned around.
With Moyes, Everton has already scored 15 goals in just eight games. They won four of their first six and even managed to draw against Liverpool. He’s brought back their confidence, and even players who were struggling, like Beto, are now doing great. Everton is now way above the relegation zone, and with a new stadium coming, Moyes seems to have things under control. Wild Stats Behind PL Manager Sackings.
Ruud van Nistelrooy – Leicester
Replaced: Steve Cooper
Before he came: 2-4-7 (Win rate: 15.38%)
After he came: 2-1-11 (Win rate: 14.28%)
Leicester decided to hire Ruud van Nistelrooy after he beat them twice when he was filling in as Man U’s coach back in October. But so far, it’s been a total mess.
Even though they won his first game, Leicester has been terrible since, losing 11 of their last 12 league matches. They haven’t scored in their last six home games and have only managed four goals in their last 12 league games. They’re five points away from safety and have a tough schedule ahead. If things don’t get better fast, Van Nistelrooy could be out of a job before the season’s done.
Graham Potter – West Ham
Replaced: Julen Lopetegui
Before he came: 5-5-9 (Win rate: 26.31%)
After he came: 3-1-3 (Win rate: 42.85%)
Julen Lopetegui never really got West Ham going, so they let him go early in 2025. They brought in Graham Potter, who used to coach Chelsea. There wasn’t too much pressure on him since the team wasn’t in danger of being relegated.
Potter started slow, only winning one of his first five league games. But a couple of wins in a row – including a big one against Arsenal – have put him on more stable ground. The real test will be next season after the summer transfer window, when he’ll get to shape the team the way he wants.
Vitor Pereira – Wolves
Replaced: Gary O’Neil
Before he came: 2-3-11 (Win rate: 12.5%)
After he came: 4-1-6 (Win rate: 36.36%)
Wolves were in trouble under Gary O’Neil, and by the time they fired him, they looked like they were headed straight for relegation. Vitor Pereira came in to try and fix things, and while it’s been hit or miss, he’s at least given the club some hope.
Two wins and a draw in his first three games gave them a push, but then they lost four straight. Still, with two wins in their last four, they’re hanging in there, five points above the drop zone. Staying up might depend on Matheus Cunha, who’s playing great and could probably play for any top team in the league. If Wolves avoid relegation, Pereira will probably keep his job – but that could be tough if Cunha leaves this summer.
Ivan Juric – Southampton
Replaced: Russell Martin
Before he came: 1-2-13 (Win rate: 6.25%)
After he came: 1-1-9 (Win rate: 9.09%)
It was kind of shocking how long Southampton stuck with Russell Martin, considering how bad they were. They’d only scored 12 goals and let in 36 in 16 games. In his last game, they were down 5-0 to Tottenham by halftime!
But his replacement, Ivan Juric, hasn’t been able to turn things around either. Southampton is still dead last and people are comparing them to that terrible Derby County team from 2007-08, who had the fewest points ever in the Premier League. If they can just win one more game, they’ll at least avoid that record.
In Conclusion
Some of these coaching changes have made a quick difference, like Moyes at Everton, while others have made things worse, like Van Nistelrooy at Leicester. Amorim at Man U is still a question mark, while the new coaches at Wolves and West Ham are showing some positive signs. With the season winding down, the clubs will soon find out if their decisions were smart or a waste.
