The Premier League is ruthless, and the numbers don’t lie. Simply ask the worst Premier League managers of all time.
To be clear, this isn’t about stand-ins or short-term caretakers. Each supervisor on this checklist took cost of not less than 25 video games and nonetheless couldn’t get it proper.
We’ve crunched the numbers, ignored the justifications, and ranked the worst points-per-game data in Premier League historical past (minimal 25 matches).
10. David Wanger – 0.80ppg
Wagner managed Huddersfield to the Premier League in 2017, an unbelievable promotion given their scant sources.
The German saved the Yorkshire facet up of their first season, nearly scraping sufficient factors to outlive, earlier than gravity did its worst the next 12 months.
He left the Terriers all-time low and eight factors adrift of security in January 2019.
9. Brian McDermott – 0.79ppg
It’s onerous to not like McDermott. He’s a likeable determine and a Championship hero at Studying, however the Premier League was one other matter.
After guiding the Royals to promotion in 2012, his facet by no means discovered their footing within the high flight. A mixture of restricted sources and tactical naivety noticed them sink quick.
Studying didn’t win a single league sport till November. They solely received 4 in whole underneath McDermott earlier than he was sacked in March 2013.
He left with simply 23 factors from 29 video games and a points-per-game document of 0.79.
8. Mick McCarthy – 0.79ppg
McCarthy constructed a repute as one in every of soccer’s nice characters: sharp-tongued, old-school, and by no means wanting a memorable quote.
As a Premier League supervisor, although, his document didn’t at all times match the leisure. Throughout 138 matches with Sunderland and Wolves, McCarthy averaged simply 0.79 factors per sport.
Nonetheless, McCarthy’s press conferences virtually made up for the outcomes. Requested what occurred when the staff bus broke down earlier than a match, he replied: “It wouldn’t go any additional.”
Instructed his staff had obtained no bookings: “I requested them to knock seven bells out of everybody. What have been they taking part in at?”
7. Aidy Boothroyd – 0.74ppg
It’s straightforward to overlook that Boothroyd as soon as managed within the Premier League. Today, he’s higher identified for his time with England’s youth or for rocking up within the Indian Tremendous League.
Again in 2006, he led an unfancied Watford facet to promotion through the play-offs. The excitement didn’t final.
His Hornets managed simply 5 wins all season and have been relegated with a whimper. The soccer was direct, the outcomes have been worse, and his 0.74 points-per-game common displays that.
Boothroyd hung across the Championship for a bit however by no means returned to the highest flight.
6. John Gorman – 0.71ppg
Right here’s an actual blast from the previous. Gorman could also be greatest referred to as Glenn Hoddle’s long-time assistant, together with with England at France ’98.
However even that’s just a few historic, bible-like incidence to Gen Z. In addition to teaming up at England, the pair managed Swindon. Sure, Swindon have been within the Premier League.
Gorman was Hoddle’s right-hand man at Swindon City till Hoddle left for Chelsea after securing promotion in 1993.
That left Gorman in cost for Swindon’s first and solely Premier League season. It was a large ask, and issues went downhill quick.
Swindon didn’t win a sport till December. They completed backside with simply 5 wins and a staggering 100 objectives conceded throughout 42 matches.
5. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 0.70ppg
A Premier League legend as a participant, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s return to English soccer was far much less superb as a supervisor. He goes down as one of many worst Premier League managers.
After changing Steve Cooper at Leicester in November 2024, Van Nistelrooy inherited a struggling squad however didn’t cease the slide.
His staff misplaced 9 consecutive residence video games with out scoring and have been relegated with 5 matches nonetheless to go.
By the top, he had managed simply 5 wins in 27 video games. That gave him a points-per-game determine of 0.70, the worst of any Leicester boss within the Premier League period.
To make issues worse, his departure dragged on lengthy after the season ended. Leicester lastly confirmed his exit in late June 2025.
Van Nistelrooy’s taking part in profession earned him respect throughout Europe. As a supervisor, although, he has an extended approach to go to achieve those self same heights.
4. Scott Parker – 0.70ppg
Parker has the calm, thought-about presence of a person who irons his denims, and generally, his groups replicate that too.
He earned reward for guiding each Fulham and Bournemouth to promotion, however his Premier League document is difficult to defend.
Throughout 86 Premier League video games with Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley he averaged simply 0.7 factors per match. His sides have been compact, neat and sometimes onerous to observe.
Fulham have been relegated after one season underneath his watch. Bournemouth sacked him 4 video games into his subsequent marketing campaign, simply days after a 9–0 defeat at Liverpool.
Parker blamed the board. Bournemouth blamed the temper. Both manner, it wasn’t working.
His season with Burnley was even poorer, with the Clarets successful simply 4 occasions in 34 makes an attempt earlier than being mutually consented.
3. Rob Edwards – 0.68ppg
Edwards gave it all the things in Luton’s debut Premier League season, however the job was at all times going to be monumental.
He led Luton City to their first-ever Premier League season in type, successful promotion through the play-offs in 2023. However as soon as they obtained there, actuality hit onerous.
Luton gave it a great go, however the gulf in high quality was clear from day one. They received simply six matches, conceded 85 objectives, and have been despatched again down with two video games to spare.
Regardless of the trouble, Edwards averaged simply 0.68 factors throughout his 38 Premier League video games. It wasn’t sufficient to remain up, and never sufficient to remain within the job long-term.
His time at Wolves has been sporadically spectacular, with wins over Liverpool and Aston Villa, however Edwards was unable to mastermind the best of escapes.
2. Vincent Kompany – 0.63ppg
A legend at Man Metropolis, Kompany returned to the Premier League in 2023 with Burnley, having simply stormed the Championship with 101 factors and a slick, possession-heavy type.
However the Premier League is a unique beast. Kompany caught to his ideas — excessive traces, build-up play, courageous urgent — and obtained punished for it.
Burnley received simply 5 matches all season and conceded 78 objectives. They went down with a whimper, ending nineteenth with 24 factors and one of many worst aim variations within the league.
Critics pointed to tactical naivety, dangerous signings, and an absence of top-level expertise within the squad. Nonetheless, Kompany someway landed the Bayern Munich job inside weeks.
The person could also be going locations, however he nonetheless goes down as one of many worst Premier League managers.
QUIZ: Are you able to title each supervisor to win Premier League promotion since 2000-01?
1. Kieran McKenna – 0.58ppg
McKenna labored wonders to get Ipswich City into the Premier League. Again-to-back promotions, 194 factors in two seasons, and a enjoyable model of soccer.
However as soon as they obtained to the highest flight, the dream died. Ipswich misplaced their first three video games, went 9 with out a win, and by no means discovered any rhythm.
They have been relegated with a record-low factors tally and simply 4 wins to their title.
McKenna’s cool, methodical type by no means wavered, however the outcomes did. He averaged simply 0.58 factors per sport throughout 38 matches.
There’s nonetheless a lot to admire about him as a coach and he’ll get one other chew on the cherry subsequent season. However his Premier League debut was one lengthy lesson in how brutal the highest flight will be.
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TRY A QUIZ: Are you able to title each membership Ruud van Nistelrooy scored towards for Man Utd?
