The season is still in its infancy, yet we have already seen the first three managers depart their EFL clubs. One in League One and one in League Two, and the first departure coming from the Championship after just one game.
Ryan Lowe was the first casualty as Preston North End opted to part company with the manager after he reportedly asked to leave. Former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has since been placed in charge.
Following on from this was the first “sacking” of the season, as League One Blackpool dismissed Neil Critchley for their poor start to the season. The Seasiders opted to appoint former Premier League manager Steve Bruce to the top job.
The most recent “sacking” comes in League Two as recently relegated Carlisle United parted company with Paul Simpson. The 58-year-old had returned for a second spell leading them to promotion, but seemingly failed to turn around the downwards trajectory after the club returned to the fourth tier. They are, at the time of writing, yet to appoint a new manager.
As inevitable as it is that my children will ask for sweets as we walk past a shop, another name will soon follow in the ongoing sack race.
Five potential candidates for the Next EFL Manager to be Sacked
*Please note these are in no particular order! *
5. Mark Kennedy – Swindon Town
Starting towards the bottom of League Two, currently occupying 21st position is Mark Kennedy’s Swindon Town. They are one of only three sides yet to record a win in the third tier and pressure is mounting following what some have described as a lacklustre style of football, with a lack of attacking threat that has failed to get results.
The Irishman faced many of the same criticisms at his former club Lincoln City. However, many of their fans were accepting of it for periods due to his knack of getting results over the line. Lincoln had had years of solid recruitment, and it has been argued that his football was holding back the club, especially when looking retrospectively at his time compared to that of his successor Michael Skubala.
Swindon for large periods last year had attacking threat but lacked defensive solidarity, Kennedy had defensive solidarity but no attacking threat. So naturally, in a very Swindon way they have taken the worst aspects of both. Yesterday’s draw with Barrow, will look decent on paper later in the season after coming back from a goal down to draw with a side who are towards the top of the table. But when you factor in that over 45 minutes were played with a defender in goal for the opposition, and they failed to test him until the last minute of injury time, perhaps demonstrates the problems currently facing the Robins.
4. Richie Wellens – Leyton Orient
This is a tough one to include on the list, Richie has a strong connection with the club and the fans and is clearly well thought of. He was very nearly not on the list at all. But four games into the new League One season, four defeats, eight goals conceded, had it been a manager of another club it is unlikely that they would be in the dugout for their fifth game of the season. The only real joy they have had so far is their victories in the EFL Cup, however it is likely that many Orient fans would trade them for two wins in the league at the end of the season.
The rest of September does not get easier, they face 8th place Reading, Premier League Brentford, promotion hopefuls Peterborough United and the top two sides in the division Wrexham and Stockport. It is feasible to see them losing all five, which would leave them with a mountain to climb.
3. Wayne Rooney – Plymouth Argyle
A legend and a household name, one of the greats of the Premier League. But his managerial record… isn’t as glowing. His appointment last season at Birmingham City, baffled the footballing world and arguably led to them having the ability to break the League One transfer record the following season.
The BBC actually ran an article on the 3rd January this year questioning whether he would ever manage again after the Blues disappointment. It is well worth a read. However, despite the significant question marks over his head, he was appointed manager of Plymouth Argyle in May.
His start to the season has not been what he would have hoped when taking over the helm, failing to record a win in four league games and being knocked out of the EFL cup in the second round. Whilst his time at the club is still in its infancy if there isn’t a sudden improvement, he could find himself on the chopping block, which would surely all but end his coaching career.
2. Garry Monk – Cambridge United
Gary Monk is a name that will be familiar to Championship and Premier League fans of the late 2010s, after taking charge of Swansea City in the topflight before later having spells at Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday. He averaged just over 50 games in charge of each of those clubs recording an average of 1.46 points per game. After his departure from the Owls seemingly disappeared for a period, not managing between November 2020 and March 2024.
In his 16 games to date for Cambridge United, he has now gone 11 games without a win, with his last victory coming on the 1st April against Wigan Athletic. This marked the second of only two wins he has had. Out of the 16 games he has also been thrashed 6-0 by Lincoln City and 4-0 by Reading. His side sit 23rd in League One having only recorded one point to date, in a crazy game against Blackpool caretaker boss Richard Keogh which ended 4-4.
If nothing changes in the near future, Cambridge could once again find themselves playing their football in League Two next season.
Dishonourable Mentions
Ian Evatt – Bolton Wanderers
Mark Robinson – Burton Albion
Jon Doolan – Accrington Stanley
1. Erol Bulut – Cardiff City
The club’s worst league start in over 30 years, vast criticisms over style of play, lack of fight and question marks over his team selection. “I am not a gamble” claimed Erol Bulut when he was appointed in June 2023. The 23/24 season went well, enough to prompt the club’s board to hand him a new contract to deter potential suitors. However, this season has not started with their only victory coming in the EFL first round against League One Bristol Rovers.
Apart from that victory they have recorded four defeats and one draw, worryingly conceding 5 goals on two occasions already this season. Including the end of last season, they have conceded five goals on three occasions in just seven games.
In the six games so far this season they have conceded 20 goals, an average of 3.3 goals per game. Whilst only scoring six, an average of 1 goal per game.
That is including cup fixtures, only including the league Cardiff have conceded 10 in four games an average of 2.5 goals conceded per game, compared to four goals scored in four, an average of one per game.
It is clear that for whatever reason Bulut cannot get his team back to winning ways. With the chance likely to be taken away from him if the form does not turn around over the coming months.