The 4 worst managers in the history of the Premier League.

Igor Tudor, a figure that quickly became synonymous with disappointment at Tottenham, had a brief and disastrous stint at the club. With only 44 days in charge and a grim record of just one point from five matches in the Premier League, Tudor failed to prevent the Spurs from sinking further into the relegation battle. However, surprisingly, his record is not the worst in the history of the competition. Let’s explore the list of four managers who, in some way, managed to leave an even more negative legacy in the league.

First on the list is Ivan Juric, who took over Southampton in December 2024, at a time when the team was already in last place. His debut was marked by a home defeat to West Ham, a harbinger of the disaster that would follow. Juric watched his team suffer heavy losses to Crystal Palace and Brentford, as well as losses to Manchester United and Newcastle, ending his tenure with just 12 points on the table and the confirmation of relegation in April. The only celebration the team had was a boat trip on the Solent, merely to avoid equalling Derby’s record for the lowest points total.

Eric Black, who took the reins of Aston Villa in April 2016, faced an almost impossible task. With the team on the brink of relegation, Black was unable to turn the negative trend around and lost six of the seven matches he managed. The historic 4-0 defeat to Chelsea, featuring Alexandre Pato, and a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Watford, despite leading until the final minutes, marked his tenure. His experience as an assistant to Steve Bruce did not help him gain the trust of Villa fans.

Scott Parker, who took charge of Fulham in March 2019, found himself in a similar situation. The club, which had heavily invested in its squad, was on the verge of relegation under Claudio Ranieri’s leadership. However, Parker did not have a happy start, losing his first five games, including a 4-1 defeat to Watford. Despite this disastrous beginning, he managed to take Fulham back to the Premier League the following year, although the return was short-lived as the team was relegated again the next season.

Last but not least, we have Mick McCarthy, who took over Sunderland in 2003 at a time when the team was already in free fall. With a run of 15 consecutive defeats, including nine under his management, McCarthy could not prevent the Black Cats from being relegated to the second division with just 19 points. His tenure lasted two seasons in the second tier, but the board’s patience ran out in March 2006.

Thus, while Igor Tudor may be remembered as one of the worst managers in the Premier League, his misfortune is nothing compared to the legacy left by Juric, Black, Parker, and McCarthy. The fight for survival in the Premier League is relentless, and these managers faced challenges that few could imagine, leaving an indelible mark on the history of English football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.