The EFL season is around a third of the way in, a time when most clubs start to settle into a pattern, and the table reflects this. There have been some standout teams so far, but in the main all divisions remain fairly well contested. That can only be a good thing as we enter a notorious time of year.
A time when club hierarchy can assess just how their teams, and staff, are performing. Most will have set targets and if the current performance is falling way below that line, inevitably the axe will fall on the man in the dugout.
BIG NUMBERS
As we go into November, and the added attraction, or distraction, of the FA Cup for League One and Two teams, this could be seen as an ideal time to bring in a fresh look. A new manager at this point could see an upturn in results, and also give them a chance to see where their squad may need strengthening in January.
So far 17 managers across the 72 EFL sides have parted company with employers since the start of the season. A staggering 23%, in just this opening phase of the campaign. This number will no doubt swell in the coming weeks, with the aforementioned FA Cup bringing potential shocks, adding to dips in current form.
Here is a reminder of who has been relieved of their duties so far:
CHAMPIONSHIP
Neil WARNOCK – Huddersfield Town. Resigned – 20 September.
Xisco MUNOZ – Sheffield Wednesday. Sacked – 4 October.
John EUSTACE – Birmingham City. Sacked – 4 October.
Gary ROWETT – Millwall. Mutual Consent – 18 October.
Gareth AINSWORTH – Queens Park Rangers. Sacked – 28 October.
Nigel PEARSON – Bristol City. Sacked – 29 October
LEAGUE ONE
Dean HOLDEN – Charlton Athletic. Sacked – 27 August.
Scott BROWN – Fleetwood Town. Sacked – 3 September.
Wade ELLIOTT – Cheltenham Town. Mutual Consent – 20 September.
Mark KENNEDY – Lincoln City. Sacked – 18 October.
Joey BARTON – Bristol Rovers. Sacked – 26 October.
LEAGUE TWO
Ian DAWES – Tranmere Rovers. Sacked – 10 September.
Mark HUGHES – Bradford City. Sacked – October.
Neil HARRIS – Gillingham. Sacked – 5 October.
Graham ALEXANDER – Milton Keynes Dons. Sacked – 16 October.
Ben GARNER – Colchester United. Sacked – 21 October.
Paul HURST – Grimsby Town. Sacked – 28 October.
Writer’s View
It is a results-driven business in the main and can be quite ruthless on those who may not be fully deserving of losing their job. Even with the words “mutual consent” attached, it is no easier to stomach. No one can be really safe, the best example of this list so far being the case in Birmingham, and as form can drop quite quickly, so will the guillotine!
