The defining player and dominant manager have had their day – now a club’s route to success is to catch the eye of a sugar daddy
Patrick Vieira gone! Antonio Conte gone! Brendan Rodgers gone! Graham Potter gone! More managers have left Premier League clubs in the past four weeks than in the entire 2005-06, 2003-04 or 1995-96 seasons. The past month has not quite matched the chaos of November 1994, when Ossie Ardiles, Mike Walker, Ron Atkinson, Gerry Francis and Brian Little left their jobs, but for managers this has been the most turbulent season in Premier League history, with 13 leaving mid‑campaign.
It may not be over yet. Last Sunday was the first time since 4 October 2015 that two Premier League managers departed on the same day (Rodgers was one of the pair then as well, which is perhaps something for other managers to think about next time the brink is near). Only once before, in 2002-03, have four managers been sacked (or “left by mutual consent”) after the end of February and there is a clear possibility David Moyes or, despite assurances to the contrary, Steve Cooper becomes a fifth.
