The longest serving managers in English football: Arsenal boss Arteta in fifth place, Man Utd coach Ten Hag in top 20…
Kieran McKenna, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta are among the longest-serving managers in England.
While a lot of football managers are often left fearing for their jobs, some are in a far more comfortable position.
There are always a lot of managerial changes during every football season as owners hope that a new manager will transform the team’s fortunes.
But some managers have plenty of credit in the bank after spending years at one particular club and they don’t have to worry about the sack race.
We’ve taken a look at every Premier League and English Football League manager and ranked them by how long they’ve been in charge of their club.
Note: Morecambe, Hull City and Norwich City are currently without a manager. Brighton & Hove Albion are also looking for a new manager after Roberto De Zerbi’s contract was terminated by mutual consent.
88. Arne Slot, Liverpool – Appointed: July 1st 2024*
While Slot is yet to officially put pen to paper on his Liverpool contract, he has confirmed that he’ll be replacing Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout.
The 45-year-old has spent the last three-and-a-half years at Feyenoord, winning the Eredivisie title in 2022/23 and a KNVB Cup in 2023/24.
– Julen Lopetegui, West Ham United – Appointed: July 1st 2024*
– Michael Duff, Huddersfield Town – Appointed: May 13th 2024
– Mark Bonner, Gillingham – Appointed: May 7th 2024
– Martin Devaney, Barnsley – Appointed: April 22nd 2024
– Alex Revell, Stevenage – Appointed: April 17th 2024
– Steve Evans, Rotherham United – Appointed: April 17th 2024
– Neil Dewsnip, Plymouth Argyle – Appointed: April 1st 2024
80. Tom Cleverley, Watford – Appointed: March 9th 2024
– John Doolan, Accrington Stanley – Appointed: March 4th 2024
– Garry Monk, Cambridge United – Appointed: March 4th 2024
– Neil Harris, Millwall – Appointed: February 21st 2024
– Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace – Appointed: February 19th 2024
Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in mid-February and has since made a huge impact at Palace, picking up 21 points from his first 12 Premier League games.
Bayern Munich have expressed their interest in the 49-year-old, but he looks set to stay at Selhurst Park.
I understand Oliver Glasner was never available from Crystal Palace and he also denied the opportunity to manage Bayern Munich at this time #CPFC @TEAMtalk. pic.twitter.com/JcCqH6hGwR
— Fraser (Fletcher) Gillan (@FrazFletcher) May 13, 2024
– Mike Dodds, Sunderland – Appointed: February 19th 2024
– Darren Moore, Port Vale – Appointed: February 13th 2024
– John Eustace, Blackburn Rovers – Appointed: February 9th 2024
– Nathan Jones, Charlton Athletic – Appointed: February 4th 2024
– Paul Hurst, Shrewsbury Town – Appointed: January 24th 2024
70. Stuart Maynard, Notts County – Appointed: January 18th 2024
– Gavin Gunning, Swindon Town – Appointed: January 15th 2024
– Martin Paterson, Burton Albion – Appointed: January 11th 2024
– Tony Mowbray, Birmingham City – Appointed: January 8th 2024
– Luke Williams, Swansea City – Appointed: January 5th 2024
– Karl Robinson, Salford City – Appointed: January 5th 2024
– Danny Cowley, Colchester United – Appointed: January 4th 2024
– Charlie Adam, Fleetwood Town – Appointed: December 31st 2023
– Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest – Appointed: December 20th 2023
After a brief stint at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, Nuno Espirito Santo returned to English football in December 2023 and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Nottingham Forest.
Forest were handed a four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules, but the 50-year-old still helped the club avoid relegation to the Championship.
New Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo
– Steven Schumacher, Stoke City – Appointed: December 19th 2023
60. Chris Wilder, Sheffield United – Appointed: December 5th 2023
– Matt Taylor, Bristol Rovers – Appointed: December 1st 2023
– David Artell, Grimsby Town – Appointed: November 27th 2023
– Des Buckingham, Oxford United – Appointed: November 16th 2023
– Michael Skubala, Lincoln City – Appointed: November 13th 2023
– Liam Manning, Bristol City – Appointed: November 7th 2023
– Graham Alexander, Bradford City – Appointed: November 6th 2023
– Marti Cifuentes, Queens Park Rangers – Appointed: October 30th 2023
– Mike Williamson, MK Dons – Appointed: October 17th 2023
– Danny Rohl, Sheffield Wednesday – Appointed: October 13th 2023
Sheffield Wednesday were rooted to the bottom of the Championship when they sacked Xisco Munoz and hired Rohl in October 2023.
The 35-year-old – who is undertaking his maiden managerial role – has had a transformative effect at Hillsborough and the club avoided relegation to League One.
Back in October, Sheffield Wednesday set a new record for the worst start to a Championship season after 3 points from 13 games.
Since then, they’ve won the 8th most points in the division and avoided relegation.
Danny Rohl has pulled off a minor miracle ✨👏
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) May 5, 2024
50. Darrell Clarke, Cheltenham Town – Appointed: September 29th 2023
– Nigel Adkins, Tranmere Rovers – Appointed: September 10th 2023
– Gary O’Neil, Wolves – Appointed: August 9th 2023
– Daniel Farke, Leeds United – Appointed: July 4th 2023
– Ruben Selles, Reading – Appointed: June 26th 2023
– Russell Martin, Southampton – Appointed: June 21st 2023
– Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth – Appointed: June 19th 2023
– Enzo Maresca, Leicester City – Appointed: June 16th 2023
– Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham – Appointed: June 6th 2023
Tottenham reportedly considered Luis Enrique, Arne Slot and Julian Nagelsmann before appointing Postecoglou in the summer of 2023.
The 58-year-old made an immediate impact in north London, winning the Premier League Manager of the Month award in August, September and October 2023.
Spurs had a difficult end to the 2023/24 season but sources have informed TEAMtalk that they are still planning to back the manager in the upcoming transfer window.
🗣️ Ange Postecoglou: “Sweden have rejected VAR? I’m moving there next year!” 😂🇸🇪
(Via @BeanymanSports)pic.twitter.com/e1moINe8J2
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 1, 2024
– Erol Bulut, Cardiff City – Appointed: June 3rd 2023
40. Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea – Appointed: May 29th 2023
– Neil Critchley, Blackpool – Appointed: May 23rd 2023
– Grant McCann, Doncaster Rovers – Appointed: May 12th 2023
– Mat Sadler, Walsall – Appointed: April 19th 2023
– Matt Bloomfield, Wycombe Wanderers – Appointed: February 21st 2023
– Sean Dyche, Everton – Appointed: January 30th 2023
– Shaun Maloney, Wigan Atheltic – Appointed: January 28th 2023
– John Mousinho, Portsmouth – Appointed: January 20th 2023
– Scott Lindsey, Crawley Town – Appointed: January 11th 2023
– Darren Ferguson, Peterborough – Appointed: January 4th 2023
30. Rob Edwards, Luton Town – Appointed: November 17th 2022
– Lee Bell, Crewe Alexandra – Appointed: November 4th 2022
– Unai Emery, Aston Villa – Appointed: November 1st 2022
– Carlos Corberan, West Brom – Appointed: October 25th 2022
– Michael Carrick, Middlesbrough – Appointed: October 24th 2022
After deciding to leave the coaching staff at Manchester United, Carrick began his managerial career at Middlesborough in October 2022.
The 42-year-old guided Boro to the Champions play-offs in his debut season before helping them reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals in 2023/24.
Despite reported interest from a number of Premier League sides, he now looks set to sign a new contract at the Riverside.
– Gary Caldwell, Exeter City – Appointed: October 24th 2022
– Graham Coughlan, Newport County – Appointed: October 20th 2022
– Paul Warne, Derby County – Appointed: September 22nd 2022
– Vincent Kompany, Burnley – Appointed: June 14th 2022
– Pete Wild, Barrow – Appointed: May 27th 2022
20. Erik ten Hag, Manchester United – Appointed: May 23rd 2022
Ten Hag swapped Ajax for United in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed an impressive debut season, winning the League Cup before securing a third-place finish in the Premier League.
But United have endured an underwhelming season in 2023/24 and sources have told TEAMtalk that the manager has lost the trust of a number of senior stars at Old Trafford.
While United are yet to make a final decision on his future, they are reportedly considering appointing Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate or Thomas Frank to replace the 54-year-old.
🚨 Ten Hag: “I assume that I will be Manchester United manager next year”.
“I signed a long term deal consciously and I am not a person who walks away”.
❗️ “Contacts with Ajax? No. In the future, why not? It’s a fascinating club, I had great time there”, told ViaPlay NL. pic.twitter.com/gLnA1IC1DG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 3, 2024
– Johnnie Jackson, AFC Wimbledon – Appointed: May 16th 2022
– Richie Wellens, Leyton Orient – Appointed: March 9th 2022
– Paul Simpson, Carlisle United – Appointed: February 23rd 2022
– Paul Cook, Chesterfield – Appointed: February 10th 2022
– Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town – Appointed: December 16th 2021
– Ryan Lowe, Preston North End – Appointed: December 7th 2021
– Eddie Howe, Newcastle United – Appointed: November 8th 2021
When Howe replaced Steve Bruce in the Newcastle dugout in November 2021, they were sat 19th in the Premier League table.
The 46-year-old guided the club to safety in his debut season and then helped them qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2002/03 campaign.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
– Dave Challinor, Stockport County – Appointed: November 2nd 2021
– Phil Parkinson, Wrexham – Appointed: July 1st 2021
10. Marco Silva, Fulham – Appointed: July 1st 2021
– Andy Woodman, Bromley – Appointed: March 29th 2021
– Jon Brady, Northampton Town – Appointed: February 10th 2021
– Nigel Clough, Mansfield Town – Appointed: November 6th 2020
– Ian Evatt, Bolton – Appointed: July 1st 2020
– Mikel Arteta, Arsenal – Appointed: December 22nd 2019
After Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign at Arsenal came to an end in 2018, Unai Emery had a brief spell in charge before Arteta replaced him in December 2019.
The Gunners kept faith in the Spaniard following back-to-back eighth-placed finishes, and he’s regarded as now one of the best managers in the Premier League.
His current contract is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, though Arsenal will be looking to extend his stay at the club.
“I am really happy,” he said. “I still have a year in my contract, that’s a long time in football. The players are happy, the club is happy, no issues. ”
The way @Arsenal players talk about Mikel Arteta 🥰
𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥, available on Prime Video 📺 pic.twitter.com/uWohuH6R2U
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 28, 2022
– Thomas Frank, Brentford – Appointed: October 16th 2018
– Mark Robins, Coventry City – Appointed: March 6th 2017
– Pep Guardiola, Manchester City – Appointed: July 1st 2016
1. Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town – Appointed: May 21st 2009
Related Articles
Ten Hag sack: Man Utd owner Ratcliffe inherits ‘clueless’ Glazers tag after ‘disgrace’ treatment
"If the Glazers were doing that, people would be saying they are 'absolutely clueless' - so what are Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and Dave Brailsford doing?"
Transformative Arsenal man in talks over record-breaking deal, blowing club icon out the water
He'll become the highest paid in his position in the club's history if he accepts, with a wage far beyond a club icon
Ten Hag labelled ‘jealous’ at Man Utd after shock criticism of new Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Under-pressure Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has been slammed after he questioned the credentials of new Liverpool coach Arne Slot in an interview
Erik ten Hag aims jibe at Man Utd in giving ‘beautiful’ Liverpool Arne Slot verdict
Liverpool confirmed their move for Slot last week and that appointment has got a big thumbs up from Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag as he continues to fight for his job