Football is a ruthless, cut-throat, and unforgiving industry, especially if you’re a manager.
Years ago gaffers would oversee clubs for decades, but that’s certainly not the case anymore, with some unfortunate bosses kicked into the job centre after only a handful of games, if they're lucky.
This season alone four managers have failed to make it to the 100-day mark in England’s Football League, including Harry Kewell (74, Notts County), Michael Collins (77, Bradford), Nick Daws (91, Scunthorpe), and a certain Paul Scholes who surprisingly left Oldham on Thursday.
Scholes didn’t suffer the sack at Oldham - he threw in the towel instead - but there’s no escaping the fact that he lasted a puny 31 days at the helm, during which he oversaw seven games; recording only one win.
Remarkably this isn't even close to the shortest managerial stint in England’s top-four leagues, a handful of which we take a look at below.
Leroy Rosenior: 10mins at Torquay
It’s difficult not to feel anything other than a bucket load of sympathy towards Leroy Rosenior who was ditched by Torquay after 10 minutes back in 2007. Yes, 10 minutes.
In the time it takes to clean your inbox Rosenior was appointed, unveiled to the press, and then relieved of his duties after the club suddenly changed hands and the new owners decided they wanted Paul Buckle at the helm instead.
It’s unlikely this time will ever be topped.
Dave Bassett: 4 days at Crystal Palace
Another manager who didn’t even oversee a game was Dave Bassett, although unlike Rosenior, this was out of choice.
Bassett joined Crystal Palace on the back of consecutive promotions at Wimbledon, promising to soar the Eagles back into the top-flight.
Four days later he had a change of heart and returned to Plough Lane, although it turned out he’d never actually signed a contract with Palace.
Martin Ling: 9 days at Cambridge United
A bit of a boomerang story this one.
Martin Ling accepted an offer to become the new Cambridge manager after Gary Brabin had left the club after falling out with chairman George Rolls.
It then took Ling just over a week to find out just what Brabin was talking about, as he too departed before the start of the season, only to return a week later after Rolls quit his post.
Micky Adams: 13 days at Swansea
Another manager who lasted less than a fortnight in the dugout was Micky Adams who swiftly exited Swansea 13 days after his appointment.
During his brief tenure Adams oversaw three games - all defeats - before deciding enough was enough after it became evident that the club was not going to deliver on their promise to invest in the playing squad.
Paul Hart: 28 days at QPR
The most recent spell under 30 days was Paul Hart at QPR during the 2009/10 season.
Hart arrived at Loftus Road just before Christmas following the departure of Jim Magilton. Five games later he walked out on the capital club after he fell out with the board.
This came less than two months after he suffered the sack at Portsmouth. However, he wasn’t out for long as he returned to management six weeks later with Crystal Palace (caretaker).
Notable Mentions
Brian Clough infamously lasted only 44 days at Leeds United. He was chosen as the man to replace the club’s iconic boss Don Revie, who had bagged the England job, but an ill-fated stint followed with Clough given the boot after eight games. It wasn’t all bad though as he went on to lead Nottingham Forest to domestic and European glory.
Meanwhile, Les Reed spent 41 days at Charlton, whereas Alex McLeish exited Nottingham Forest after 40 days in charge, and Steve Coppell just crept over a month with Man City.
