Top 10 managers with most defeats in Premier League history

Published at :April 2, 2024 at 11:33 PM

Modified at :April 2, 2024 at 11:33 PM

Defeat is part and parcel of a managerial job in the Premier League

The Premier League is the most happening football league in the world. And that goes without a doubt, backed by statistics and viewer likeliness alike. Many managers have tried their luck in the English top tier. And with such a competitive environment, defeat comes in quick and also the dismissal from the job.

Along with being long-performing managers in the Premier League, the following lot also racked in this number of defeats. The list also has legendary managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

10. Rafael Benitez – 100 defeats

Currently leading the charge of Celta de Vigo in Spain, Rafael Benítez has had a good number of seasons in England as well. His longest time at a Premier League club was during his time with Liverpool. Later Benítez even managed Chelsea and Newcastle United. And also for a brief period, he managed the rivals of the Reds – Everton.

9. Alex Ferguson – 114 defeats

A complete game-changer of a manager for Manchester United. After bringing success to Aberdeen FC in Scotland, Alex Ferguson was appointed by Manchester United. And the manager had a very long stay. In as many as 26 seasons with United, Ferguson helped his side lift 13 Premier League trophies. Since Ferguson was at the helm for 810 league games, he was likely to have a good number of defeats as well.

8. Martin O’Neill – 114 defeats

Another manager who suffered 114 defeats in the English top flight. Although Martin O’Neill’s number of defeats is the same as Ferguson’s, O’Neill did so in fewer games. Hence, he has been put in this position in comparison to the sustenance of the Scottish manager. The Northern Irish manager was once in charge of the likes of Leicester City, Aston Villa and Sunderland.

7. Arsene Wenger – 153 defeats

Sir Alex Ferguson has 810 PL games under his belt. But the man fell short only to Arsenal‘s historic manager Arsène Wenger. Wenger during his 22 season with the Gunners led his side for 828 league games. And since the number of games is high, his 153 defeats found their way into this list. It was only under his reign that Arsenal finished the whole Premier League season unbeaten. It stands as the solo record to date for any PL club.

6. Roy Hodgson – 177 defeats

Roy Hodgson is 76 and still active in the managerial duties in the Premier League. Currently leading the charge of Crystal Palace, Hodgson came to the top-flight scene in England first time with Blackburn Rovers. A 4-1 defeat to Brighton lately meant a total of 177 defeats in the PL. Although the pressure is mounting regarding his stay, Hodgson already has had a lengthy career involving Fulham, Liverpool, West Brom and Watford as well in the league.

5. Mark Hughes – 181 defeats

In his playing days, Mark Hughes played for a lot of big clubs including Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Hughes was at United for the longest period. Later his coaching career was also fruitful. In total, 466 league games are under his belt in the English top tier. Out of those, 181 ended as defeats.

4. Steve Bruce – 211 defeats

Another Manchester United player who turned out to be a manager later. Steve Bruce who was also the captain of the Red Devils later went on to head coach Newcastle United, Hull City, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City. All of these clubs have been managed by him in the Premier League. Bruce has 476 league games in the top flight under his belt which also constituted 211 defeats.

3. Sam Allardyce – 217 defeats

In the rankings of most Premier League games as a manager, Sam Allardyce comes in the fifth position. The man has been in charge of a total of 541 games in the PL in his career. In those 541 outings, 217 came as a defeat. And that is more than either of his total wins or draws. Allardyce saw off 178 league games in the top flight as wins while 146 were draws.

2. Harry Redknapp – 238 defeats

With 238 defeats, Harry Redknapp comes in at second place in all-time rankings for most losses as a PL manager. Redknapp has been involved with 641 league games as a head coach in the English top division. As many as 236 games were where his side won all three points. Also, 167 games ended in an embrace with the opposition manager for a point shared.

1. David Moyes – 242 defeats

Did you know who succeeded the long-standing manager of Man United – Sir Alex Ferguson? It was David Moyes. Although things didn’t go as Ferguson or United would have wanted, Moyes was very well the man chosen for the job by the retiring Ferguson. Fast forward to the present day, it is Newcastle United who handed Moyes his 242nd defeat in the Premier League as a manager. Although the defeats highlight a small part of his career, one should not forget that he is only behind Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson in the race for the most number of games as a PL manager.

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