Five shortest managerial reigns in history after Allardyce’s early England exit

Rosenior had the misfortune of being appointed while the papers were being signed, and before the ink had even dried on the takeover, he was swiftly replaced.

Marcelo Bielsa — Lazio, two days

Allardyce wasn’t the only manager to endure a short-lived managerial stint this year, with controversial coach Bielsa having caused a stir this past summer when incredibly lasting just two days as the boss of Serie A outfit Lazio.

The feisty tactician, rightfully nicknamed El Loco (the Crazy One), is regarded as one of the best coaches in the world, but his 48-hour spell in Italy proved his temperament isn’t his strongest quality.

Lazio had hoped the former Athletic Bilbao and Marseille boss would help restore them to the pinnacle of Italian football, but Bielsa bizarrely stepped down just two days after his initial appointment and is currently out of a job.

Kevin Cullis — Swansea City, seven days

Back in 1996, Cullis managed to last just seven days in charge of Welsh club Swansea, with the then third division side having been making a habit of firing managers in quick succession.

What’s more amazing about his week-long reign isn’t the length, but the fact he lasted one and a half games as boss. It’s heavily reported that during his second match in charge, a 4-0 loss to Blackpool, the players ignored his orders and managed themselves in the second-half.

Cullis was widely unknown when taking up the role in the first place, having never played professionally himself and the only coaching experience he had prior to the Swans was at non-league team Cradley Town.

Les Reed – Charlton Athletic, 41 days

The shortest-ever Premier league managerial reign occurred in 2006, when Reed oversaw the running of Charlton in the top-flight for only 41 days before getting the boot.

Reed suffered much misery straight from the off after succeeding Iain Dowie, as his awful tenure saw the club eliminated from both cup competitions to lower league opponents and departed proceedings when they were in the relegation zone. His nightmare was compounded when being dismissed on Christmas Eve. Ouch!

Brian Clough — Leeds United, 44 days

Clough’s reign as Leeds boss is no doubt the most famous, or infamous, of short managerial stints, as he departed Elland Road after just 44 drama-filled days in charge in 1974.

The legendary coach had entered his job after admitting he had hated the Leeds players, and the feelings were mutual from those at the Yorkshire club.

Leeds’ crop of stars soon got their wish as he was dismissed, though Clough didn’t do too bad after leaving – going on to lift two European Cup crowns with Nottingham Forest.

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