Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Premier League 12 recent mid-season appointments ranked including Jose Mourinho

mirror.co.uk, 15 November 2021, 16:37
Aston Villa, Norwich City and Newcastle United have become the latest Premier League clubs to appoint new managers after Tottenham and Watford, but which mid-season appointments have been the most successful?

The November international break has seen a host of managerial changes in the Premier League with Aston Villa, Newcastle and Norwich all appointing new managers.

Dean Smith has joined the Canaries - replacing the dismissed Daniel Farke - having been sacked as Villa boss, where he will be replaced by Steven Gerrard who returns to the division having won the Scottish top-flight with Rangers.

Eddie Howe has taken the reins at St. James's Park following last month's sacking of Steve Bruce, while Tottenham and Watford both recently appointed new bosses in Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri respectively.

There is much talk of a 'new manager bounce' whereby a coaching change sees a temporary - at least - upturn in results, although this is not always the case.

We have taken a look at the last 12 mid-season appointments and ranked them in terms of how they have gotten on.

Only permanent appointments are included in the list.

12) Jan Siewert, Huddersfield

Siewert led the Terriers to just one win in his seven months in charge and oversaw their relegation back to the Championship in 2019, having replaced David Wagner at the helm.

The German took over in January of that season after Wagner's exit, but his one victory at the helm was a 1-0 triumph over Wolves in his first game.

Huddersfield decided to keep Siewert over the summer following their relegation but his fate was sealed early in the 2019-20 Championship campaign with just one point from three league games.

11) Quique Sanchez Flores, Watford

Sanchez Flores's tenure at the Hornets was even shorter than Siewert at Huddersfield, winning just one of his 10 games at the helm.

He had replaced Javi Gracia in September of the 2019-20 campaign but his only victory at the helm was a triumph at Norwich City.

Sanchez Flores - who was in his second stint as Vicarage Road boss - was subsequently replaced by Nigel Pearson in December, speaking of whom…

10) Nigel Pearson, Watford

The Hornets took the surprising decision to sack Pearson with two games of the 2019/20 season remaining, with the side three points above the drop zone - with the club later relegated.

Pearson won seven matches in the Premier League - including beating runaway champions Liverpool 3-0 in a memorable performance - in a respectable points return that was significantly stronger than that of Gracia and Sanchez Flores before him.

After picking up 25 points in 20 league games under Pearson, Watford lost their final league games against Manchester City and Arsenal, condemning their fate.

9) Sam Allardyce, West Brom

Appointed in December 2019 to replace Slaven Bilic, Allardyce inherited a side who had just one win all season and faced an uphill battle to secure survival.

It took Allardyce six games to secure his first win - although it was a sweet one, with a 3-2 win at Black Country neighbours Wolves.

Yet that was one of just four wins for Allardyce's side - including a stunning 5-2 win at Chelsea - as they were condemned to relegation with the former England boss then stepping aside.

8) Jose Mourinho, Tottenham

Mourinho was sacked by Spurs just 17 months after replacing Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019 as he failed to secure an upturn in the club's fortunes.

The Portuguese began his Tottenham stint with back-to-back wins before old club Manchester United condemned him to his first defeat.

Spurs secured a stunning 6-1 win at Old Trafford early the following season and led the Premier League table by December, before the wheels fell off for the side.

Mourinho secured a sixth-placed finish in his first campaign before leaving the club in April 2021 with the club languishing in seventh.

7) Scott Parker, Fulham

The former England midfielder took over at Fulham in February 2019, and was unable to stop their impending relegation back to the Championship

Parker guided the West London club to promotion via the playoffs - achieved against local neighbours Brentford - the following year, before relegation again the following campaign.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Have we got our rankings right? Let us know in the comments section below

Fulham secured impressive away wins at Leicester, Everton and Liverpool but only had five Premier League wins all season, with 13 draws being their main stumbling block.

Parker's side picked up just two points from their final 10 league matches as their form fell away and they were, ultimately comfortably, relegated - with the former midfielder switching to Bournemouth this summer.

6) Mikel Arteta, Arsenal

Arteta was appointed as the news Gunners boss - after interim boss Freddie Ljungbjerg had succeeded Unai Emery - in December 2019.

An FA Cup success in his first campaign was hugely impressive, but the Gunners have endured stagnant league form in the time since.

Successive eighth-placed finishes in the Premier League were mediocre at best and while there were mitigating factors, it was falling flat of expectations at the club.

Improved results in recent months may yet see Arteta see Arsenal's patience in him vindicated but missing out on European football for the first time in 25 years was a significant failing.

5) Carlo Ancelotti, Everton

Ancelotti was very popular with Everton's fans after his appointment in December 2019, replacing Marco Silva at Goodison Park.

The Italian could only take Everton to 12 th and 10 th placed finishes in two mixed seasons, although there were notable successes in that time.

The Toffees secured their first win at Anfield in the Premier League in over two decades earlier this year while Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin formed a significant attacking partnership.

There was a sense there was a lot more to come from Ancelotti, but Real Madrid came calling in the summer as a utility appointment to succeed Zinedine Zidane.

4) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Man Utd

Solskjaer was appointed with Manchester United in disarray back in December 2018, languishing in sixth spot but as close to the relegation battle as the title race - and 11 points from the top four!

Mourinho had left a demoralised and bloated squad, but Solskjaer - initially appointed on an interim basis - winning 14 of his 19 games at the helm before his permanent appointment in early 2019.

Will Steven Gerrard be a successful manager at Aston Villa? Cast your vote below.

Solskjaer guided United to the Champions League quarter-finals with a stunning triumph over PSG, then took them to the semi-finals and final of the Europa League.

His two full seasons at Old Trafford saw impressive third and second placed finishes, but form has fallen away in recent months despite major investment.

United are in a much stronger place now than when the Norwegian was appointed, but doubts remain if he can take them to the next level.

3) Brendan Rodgers, Leicester

Having guided Celtic to all seven domestic trophies available during his tenure in Glasgow, Rodgers agreed to join Leicester in February 2019 to replace Claude Puel.

The Northern Irishman won the FA Cup and Community Shield with the Foxes this term after missing out on the top four in the Premier League on the final day of two successive campaigns.

Rodgers has been an undoubted success in the Midlands and remains one of the highest rated managers in the Premier League.

2) David Moyes, West Ham

No manager has enjoyed a transformation in fortunes and reputation quite as much in recent times as David Moyes.

After disastrous stints at Man United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland, he guided West Ham to survival in the 2017-18 campaign but his contract was not renewed.

He returned 18 months later in December 2019 on an 18-month contract and despite finishing just 16 th that season - securing survival underwhelmingly - results since have been sensational.

The Hammers finished sixth last season with a club record points total of 65 in 2020-21, and the club are flying high again this season - including being back in European football.

They have beaten Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool this season - and is firmly back in fashion.

1) Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea

Tuchel was appointed at Stamford Bridge in January this year after Frank Lampard left the side languishing in ninth place in the standings.

The league results were initially steady but not spectacular, with the club scrapping a top four finish despite a last-day defeat at Aston Villa, coupled with an FA Cup final loss to Leicester City.

Yet in Europe, the Blues were superb and Tuchel guided them to just their second ever Champions League title and now has Chelsea top of the pile in the early stages of the Premier League campaign.

His number one spot in this ranking really should be undisputed.

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been dealt a blow in their quest to sign AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly identified Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio as a potential replacement for their current number one Ederson. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has questioned Marcus Rashford's team after the forward recently admitted he could leave the club in the near future. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has revealed that Kristoffer Ajer suffered an ankle injury at the weekend. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim says Marcus Rashford has created a 'hard situation' after declaring he is seeking a Manchester United exit. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk There is a legitimate case that Mohamed Salah is the Premier League's best ever player, and he could surpass Thierry Henry sooner rather than later, according to Liverpool expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's 6-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur proves that the club are the most complete side in the Premier League, and their title rivals should fear them, according to Reds expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Three years have passed since Zinedine Zidane last took to the dugout - but he is in no rush to return. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are in desperate need of a response when they travel to struggling Wolves on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban.