KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona sacked Koeman in October
  • Former captain Xavi replaced Koeman at Camp Nou
  • Steven Gerrard returned to Premier League when Villa appointed him as head coach

In the ongoing campaign, at least 20 managers have lost their jobs across the European continent.

It is a known fact that in the fickle world of soccer, no managers are more than a bad month away from being sacked.

Just 11 matches into the 2021-22 Premier League season, as many as five head coaches were sacked by their respective clubs before the most high-profile sacking took place in the U.K. in November – Manchester United fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had been in charge for nearly three years.

Here is a list of 5 popular managers that have been sacked in 2021:

Steve Bruce (Newcastle United):

Steve Bruce
Hull City manager Steve Bruce needs to beat former club Manchester United for the first time in his managerial career. Reuters

After being in charge of Newcastle United for two years, Bruce was sacked earlier this season after the Magpies got off to a poor start to the 2021-22 campaign. The news came soon after the club’s lucrative Saudi takeover. Former Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe replaced him as Newcastle’s boss.

Nuno Espirito Santo (Tottenham):

Tottenham have sacked manager Nuno Espirito Santo
Tottenham have sacked manager Nuno Espirito Santo AFP / Glyn KIRK

After leaving the Wolves at the end of last season, Nuno joined Tottenham Hotspur. However, he failed to impress the North London club and was sacked when Spurs were eighth in the 2021-22 Premier League at the time. Antonio Conte replaced him.

Dean Smith (Aston Villa):

Aston Villa have sacked manager Dean Smith
Aston Villa have sacked manager Dean Smith AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS

After five successive Premier League losses, Aston Villa fired Dean Smith as their head coach in October. Under Smith, Aston Villa returned to the English top-flight in 2019 and finished 11th in the league last season. However, Villa were 16th in the table, just two points away from relegation, when the club took a call on Smith. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard came in as Smith’s replacement.

Ronald Koeman (FC Barcelona):

All over: Ronald Koeman during his final match in charge as Barcelona coach, a 1-0 loss at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday
All over: Ronald Koeman during his final match in charge as Barcelona coach, a 1-0 loss at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday AFP / OSCAR DEL POZO

Following Barcelona’s 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, which was the club’s fourth loss in six games in all competitions, the Catalans sacked Ronald Koeman as their head coach. The Dutchman was at Barca’s helm for 14 months. He was replaced by club legend Xavi Hernandez.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United):

Manchester United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday
Manchester United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday AFP / Ian KINGTON

The Norwegian boss was sacked following the Red Devils’ 4-1 loss against Watford in the Premier League, which was their fifth defeat in seven league games.

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