EPL sack race very much on
STEVE McClaren was sacked as Newcastle United manager on Friday. Below AFP Sport looks at all the Premier League bosses who have left their posts this season.
Dick Advocaat (Sunderland): The Dutchman had saved Sunderland from relegation last season as interim boss after taking over in March and eventually opted to come back for another season after initially deciding to retire. It proved a bad decision as, frustrated by lack of investment in the squad, he resigned on October 4 with the Black Cats in the relegation zone after an eight-match winless run.
Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool): Failure to deliver a single piece of silverware since arriving from Swansea in 2012 eventually proved Rodgers downfall. After coming agonisingly close to winning the Premier League in 2014, Liverpool regressed dramatically and Rodgers paid the price on October 4 when he was axed following a lacklustre draw against Everton.
Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa): Sherwood took charge of Villa in February and initially looked a good appointment after saving the club from relegation and leading them to the FA Cup final. But he was sacked on October 25 after a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Swansea, a sixth straight top-flight defeat this season, left the club bottom of the table.
Garry Monk (Swansea): Hired in February 2014, he earned plaudits for leading his team to a club best eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season. However, the 36year-old couldn t maintain that momentum and he was dismissed on December 9 after just one win in 12 league and cup games.
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea): By far the most high-profile casualty of this season s sack race, Mourinho was sent packing on December 17 after a 2-1 defeat at Leicester days earlier left last season s champions one point above the relegation zone.
McClaren (Newcastle): The former England manager s nine-month spell in charge ended on Friday after speculation he would be be sacked following a 3-1 home defeat by Bournemouth that left the side second bottom in the table.