Crystal Palace sack boss Frank de Boer after just 77 days in charge... but where does it rank among the shortest reigns in Premier League history?

  • Crystal Palace will sack Frank de Boer after just four games in charge
  • It comes after a calamitous start — losing all four games without scoring a goal
  • It ranks among the shortest reigns as manager in Premier League history 
  • He will leave as the manager with fewest games in charge in the Premier League  

Crystal Palace have shown Frank de Boer the exit door at Selhurst Park following a calamitous 77 days in charge.

Palace have endured the worst-ever start to a Premier League season — losing their opening four games and failing to score a goal so far — which left the club's top brass with little option but to axe the Dutchman.

De Boer was appointed on June 26 and his ill-fated reign at the helm was brought to an abrupt end on September 11, but where does that rank among the shortest managerial stays in Premier League history?


Here, Sportsmail compiles a list of managers who were at the helm for the fewest days in Premier League history.

Frank de Boer will be sacked after 77 days, but where does that rank in manager's stints?

Frank de Boer will be sacked after 77 days, but where does that rank in manager's stints?

 

10. Neil Warnock (Crystal Palace 2014) — 122 days

Neil Warnock returned to Selhurst Park in 2014 for his second stint in charge after taking the reins between 2007-2010.

On August 27, 2014 he was appointed following the departure of Tony Pulis — but his spell in charge was uninspiring, lasting until only December 27 before being given the boot.

He left the club in the bottom three and was succeeded by Alan Pardew.

Neil Warnock was left as Crystal Palace manager just 122 days into his second stint

Neil Warnock was left as Crystal Palace manager just 122 days into his second stint

9. Pepe Mel (West Brom 2014) — 120 days

It appears 2014 wasn't the year to try and make it as a manager in the Premier League, with Pepe Mel suffering an even worse fate than Warnock.

Mel signed an 18-month contract at West Brom on January 9, 2014, but didn't win a game until the seventh time of asking — beating Swansea 2-1.

He left the club on May 12, the day after the end of the season, with a miserly record of three wins from 17 games with the Baggies.

Pepe Mel was left West Brom after 120 days in 2014 ¿ winning just three of his 17 games

Pepe Mel was left West Brom after 120 days in 2014 — winning just three of his 17 games

8. Steve Wigley (Southampton 2004) — 107 days

Steve Wigley was appointed permanent manager of Southampton in the 2004-05 season following a turbulent spell on the south coast the previous year.

He had undertaken the job on a caretaker basis during the 2003-04 season, but many felt he was not up to the task and Paul Sturrock eventually was brought in from Plymouth Argyle.

Following Sturrock's departure, however, Wigley was given the job on a permanent basis in August. But after a solitary win in 14 matches, Wigley returned to his duties with the club's academy.

Steve Wigley won just one game during his 14-match tenure in charge of Southampton in 2004

Steve Wigley won just one game during his 14-match tenure in charge of Southampton in 2004

7. Tony Adams (Portsmouth 2008-09) — 106 days

Tony Adams initially joined Harry Redknapp at Fratton Park as assistant manager in 2006. Porstmouth then enjoyed a tremendous season the year after, resulting in Redknapp being poached by Tottenham at the end of the campaign.

Adams was subsequently given the job on a permanent basis, but only lasted until February 2009 and was axed after a run of nine winless games.

His 16 matches at the helm resulted in just 10 points.

Tony Adams yielded just 10 points from his 16 matches in charge of Portsmouth in 2008-09

Tony Adams yielded just 10 points from his 16 matches in charge of Portsmouth in 2008-09

6. Colin Todd (Derby 2001-02) — 98 days

Colin Todd returned to the touchline at Derby County following an illustrious playing career at the club.

He took over from Jim Smith, who he was previously assistant to, in October 2001 to help the club's ailing form.

But after three months he was shown the door, with the club lying second from bottom in the Premier League, losing 11 times in 17 outings.

Colin Todd left Derby in 2002 after just three months in charge with the club lying bottom

Colin Todd left Derby in 2002 after just three months in charge with the club lying bottom

5. Terry Connor (Wolves 2012) — 91 days

Terry Connor earned his coaching stripes at Wolves after joining the club way back in 1999.

He rose up through the ranks before Mick McCarthy promoted him to assistant manager in 2008. He then took the job permanently following the former Republic of Ireland international's sacking in February 2012.

In his first eight games as manager, Wolves drew one and lost seven, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table. 

During 13 games in charge, he did not register a single win and was replaced by Stale Solbakken following Wolves' relegation to the Championship.

Terry Connor did not manage a single win during 14 games at Wolves back in 2012

Terry Connor did not manage a single win during 14 games at Wolves back in 2012

4. Bob Bradley (Swansea 2016) — 84 days

Bob Bradley became the first American to manage in the Premier League in October last year, after Francesco Guidolin's departure from Swansea. 

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs had also interviewed for the job but the Swans punted for Bradley, a decision the club's supporters' trust — who own 21 percent of the company — said they were 'disappointed' with.

He left after just 84 days, with a record of seven losses, two draws and two wins — shipping a remarkable 29 goals in the meantime.

Bob Bradley left Swansea with a record of seven losses, two draws and two wins last season

Bob Bradley left Swansea with a record of seven losses, two draws and two wins last season

3. Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace 2017) — 77 days

Narrowly escaping the silver medal in this list is De Boer, with just 77 days in charge at Selhurst Park yielding a woeful zero points from his first four games.

With a net goal difference of minus seven, the Dutchman's time in charge of the Eagles has been short, but far from sweet.

De Boer failed to win, or even score a goal, during his four games in charge of Palace

De Boer failed to win, or even score a goal, during his four games in charge of Palace

2. Rene Meulensteen (Fulham 2013-14) — 74 days

Previously Rene Meulensteen worked under Sir Alex Ferguson as assistant at Manchester United.

He returned to England and took the manager's job at Fulham in December 2013. 

But the Cottagers replaced Meulensteen as boss with Felix Magath in February as the Dutchman and coaches Ray Wilkins and Alan Curbishley all left Craven Cottage.

Fulham replaced Rene Meulensteen with Felix Magath before terminating his contract

Fulham replaced Rene Meulensteen with Felix Magath before terminating his contract

1. Les Reed (Charlton 2006) — 40 days

Les Reed arrived at Charlton in 2006 as assistant manager to Iain Dowie. He was promoted to replace Dowie after his sacking in November.

The Addicks suffered a terrible spell under Reed, winning just one game and getting knocked out of the League Cup by then League Two side Wycombe.

His short spell in charge has become infamous, and was relieved of his duties when he was replaced by Alan Pardew on December 24.

Les Reed managed only 40 days in charge of Charlton in 2006 ¿ the fewest days by a manager

Les Reed managed only 40 days in charge of Charlton in 2006 — the fewest days by a manager

BUT WHO TOPS THE LIST OF FEWEST GAMES AS MANAGER? 

Frank de Boer was appointed at the start of the summer with an impressive CV following his spell with Ajax before being snapped up by Inter Milan — two European heavyweights.

And Palace fans would have been hopeful that with a full pre-season, they could hit the ground running this term.

But after just four games into the campaign, De Boer looks set to be the manager with the fewest games under his belt before getting the sack.  

Fulham Felix Magath — 12 

Sunderland Paolo Di Canio — 12 

Wigan Chris Hutchings — 12 

Charlton Iain Dowie — 12 

Bradford Chris Hutchings — 12 

Bolton Sammy Lee — 11 

Tottenham Jacques Santini — 11 

Swansea Bob Bradley — 11 

Charlton Les Reed — 7 

Crystal Palace Frank de Boer — 4

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