European Football: Managerial Shakeup – Firings & Reasons in 2026
- European football’s major leagues are experiencing an unprecedented wave of managerial upheaval at the start of 2026, with high-profile coaches falling victim to the sack due to poor...
- This rapid turnover of managers hasn’t discriminated between clubs vying for titles and those battling relegation, reinforcing the adage that the manager’s seat is the least secure position...
- Here’s a look at some of the managers who have been relieved of their duties in 2026 and the circumstances surrounding their departures.
European football’s major leagues are experiencing an unprecedented wave of managerial upheaval at the start of 2026, with high-profile coaches falling victim to the sack due to poor results and pressure from owners and fans.
This rapid turnover of managers hasn’t discriminated between clubs vying for titles and those battling relegation, reinforcing the adage that the manager’s seat is the least secure position in the world.
Here’s a look at some of the managers who have been relieved of their duties in 2026 and the circumstances surrounding their departures.
Sean Dyche – Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest dismissed Sean Dyche on Thursday, February 11, 2026, after just 114 days in charge, following a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers that left the team just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
With the decision to remove Dyche, Nottingham Forest entered the record books in an unwanted way this season, becoming the first club in Premier League history to sack three managers in a single season. Following the dismissals of Nuno Santo and Ange Postecoglou (who lasted just 39 days), Dyche was the latest to depart.
Thomas Frank – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with Thomas Frank after eight months in charge, amid a sharp decline in performance that left the club just five points above the relegation zone in the English Premier League.
Frank took over the team in June 2025, but achieved only two wins in 17 Premier League matches, prompting the board to make a change.
Roberto De Zerbi – Marseille
Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi left Olympique de Marseille after a year and a half. A humiliating 5-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, and a heavy defeat in Bruges that led to elimination from the Champions League, led to the end of the Italian’s tenure.
Since his appointment in the summer of 2024, De Zerbi led Marseille to a second-place finish in the league last season.
Marseille, currently fourth and 12 points behind Paris Saint-Germain, hope to regain their balance when they host Strasbourg at the Velodrome on Saturday.
Habib Beye – Rennes
Rennes announced the dismissal of their manager, Habib Beye, on Monday, February 9, 2026, following a string of negative results consisting of four consecutive defeats that shook the team’s European ambitions.
Beye (48 years old) oversaw 39 matches since taking charge of Rennes, who currently occupy sixth place in the French league table.
Beye began his coaching career in 2024 with the French team Clairefontaine as an assistant coach, before moving to Troyes as head coach in 2009.
Enzo Maresca – Chelsea
Chelsea parted ways with Enzo Maresca on January 1, 2026, despite the Italian’s success in winning the Conference League and Club World Cup with the team.
His departure came after a series of disappointing results, with the team winning only one of their last seven Premier League games, as well as reports of tensions with the club’s management.
Ruben Amorim – Manchester United
Manchester United sacked Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim on January 5, 2026, following disagreements with the club and inconsistent results, leaving the Red Devils in sixth place in the Premier League at the time.
Since taking over on November 11, 2024, Amorim led Manchester United in 47 Premier League matches, winning only 15, losing 19, and drawing 13.
The team’s win rate during his 14-month tenure was just under 32%, while the loss rate exceeded 40%.
Xabi Alonso – Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso’s short spell as Real Madrid manager ended in January 2026 after just seven months.
The former midfielder, appointed in the summer of 2025 with a multi-year contract, left the club by mutual consent after Real Madrid lost 3-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
His departure followed a series of inconsistent results, with the team second in La Liga and showing instability in European competition, prompting the club to promote reserve team coach Álvaro Arbeloa to replace him.