'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAiS//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAAFf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAACf/xAAdEAACAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwEEABEFBiET/9oACAEBAAE/AOU7gCadSaQ2xW1vzMDZ4WtDGWez0kWWqdQkmgciRRr2Yz//xAAcEQABAwUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIDBBEScZH/2gAIAQIBAT8AFPEWXxHNr//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIRAAMS/9oACAEDAQE/AAsPSc//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Nine games into the season, we have already witnessed the axing of three Premier League managers. Ronald Koeman (Everton) is the latest managerial casualty and with a fair number of teams struggling for form and points, expect the sack-fest to continue.
The inaugural season of the Premier League saw only a single replacement while the numbers have increased considerably in the following seasons. The top clubs have changed their managers frequently with Arsenal being an exception as they continue to work along with Arsene Wenger for a record 22nd season.
If the sack-fest continues, we might see a new record for the Premier League season with the most managerial changes being set.
#5 2004/05 season (30)
The 2004/05 season saw a total of 30 managers in the Premier League as seven teams changed their managers during the course of the season. Newcastle, Southampton and West Brom changed their managers twice as they struggled to find a perfect manager for the job.
Jose Mourinho's career as a Premier League boss started in this season and he introduced himself to the premier world in style by securing several top signings including the likes of Petr Cech, Arjen Robben, Ricardo Carvalho and Didier Drogba. This was also the debut season for Rafa Benitez in the premier as he was given the opportunity to manage Liverpool.
Ultimately, Mourinho guided Chelsea to the Premier League title in his debut season after losing only a single game in the top tier to end the west Londoners' 50-year wait for the top-flight league title.
Arsenal and Manchester United finished below the champions while David Moyes' Everton side pushed Liverpool down in the last gameweek to earn themselves a Champions league spot.
Also read: 7 football managers who were sacked in the most disrespectful way
#4 2008/09 season (31)
2008/09 season of the Premier League witnessed 31 managers in total following the axing of several managers. This season saw Premier League giants Chelsea sacking Felipe Scolari and announcing Guus Hiddink as his replacement.
Newcastle United changed their managers thrice this season and eventually failed to stay in the league in the subsequent one while Portsmouth and West Ham replaced their managers twice during the campaign.
This season saw the takeover of Manchester City by Abu Dhabi United Group, transforming them into one of the world's wealthiest football clubs.
Mark Hughes, who was appointed as first-team manager, enhanced his squad with a host of additions including Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Robinho, who arrived from Real Madrid for a club record fee on the eve of the summer transfer deadline.
Manchester United were ultimately crowned as the champions as they won the league for 11th time while Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal finished below the Red Devils to secure a champions league spot.
Under the guidance of interim manager Guus Hiddink following Scolari's departure, Chelsea lifted the FA Cup, while Spurs, who recovered from their poor start to finish eighth in the PL, were triumphant in the League Cup final.
Also read: Top 5 unemployed managers at the moment
#3 2013/14 season (32)
32 managers were a part of this Premier League season in which Manchester City were crowned as the champions after Liverpool dropped crucial points in their last three games. Nine teams made changes to their managerial position among which Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Fulham were those who axed their managers twice in quick succession.
The competition was without the most successful manager in British football history for the first time after Sir Alex Ferguson retired from his post at Manchester United, with David Moyes taking over at the helm.
Manchester City and Everton also had new managers in Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Martinez, while a familiar face returned to Stamford Bridge with Jose Mourinho coming back for a second bite of the cherry at Chelsea.
David Moyes failed to pick up from where SAF left as he had a dismal stay with the club after which he was sacked by the board with Ryan Giggs taking his position temporarily. Manchester United finished the season at the 7th position which is quite poor considering the history of the most successful club in England.
It was Manchester City who came out on top at the end and interestingly City were at the top only for 15 days during the whole season. The Citizens overtook Liverpool in Matchweek 37 and finished off a run of five consecutive wins with a 2-0 victory against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in the final match to seal their second Premier League title.
#2 2015/16 season (32)
The 2015/16 season involved 32 managers and this season proved to be an inspiring story for all the underdogs as Leicester City defeated all the odds to become the sixth club to win the Premier League title. The top clubs of the league failed to perform as Chelsea and Liverpool finished outside the top-four.
Chelsea, Aston Villa and Swansea changed their managers thrice while four more teams made changes to the managerial role. This season saw the end of Jose Mourinho's second spell with Chelsea in a poor manner as he left the club when the team was just one point above the relegation zone.
Louis Van Gaal, who was appointed as the manager of Manchester United failed to make a big impact as his side finished at 5th position in the table, falling short of the Champions League spots.
Promoted Watford and AFC Bournemouth, earned safety with their highest PL finishes, while Aston Villa were cut adrift and relegated from the competition for the first time in April. The relegation battle was intense at the end as Sunderland, Newcastle and Norwich were fighting out to survive in the top-tier and it was Sunderland who ultimately avoided the relegation.
However, the season belonged to Leicester as manager Ranieri and his players were given a guard of honour as they finished the season with a draw at Chelsea, the Italian's former club and the previous champions.
#1. 2007/08 season (33)
This season witnessed a record 33 managers in the top-tier which is the highest when compared to all the other seasons. The Big-four booked their places in the Champions League next season by finishing in the top 4 as Manchester United came out as the winners of the league yet again.
The 2007/08 summer transfer window was dominated by the top clubs as Fernando Torres moved to Liverpool while Manchester United strengthened their side by welcoming Nani, Hargreaves, Anderson and Tevez to the club. Arsenal bolstered their attacking options by signing Eduardo after their all-time top scorer Thierry Henry departed following eight years in north London.
Several managers failed to take their clubs on the right path which saw eight teams replacing their managers with five of them changing their managers twice in quick succession.
One of the key changes saw Chelsea parting ways with Jose Mourinho as he was forced to end his second spell at the club following a crisis meeting with the board of directors. Long-standing differences with the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, had re-emerged so strongly that they had forced him to take the drastic step of leaving the club.
At the end, It was Manchester United who edged out Chelsea to win the Premier League for 10th time. Cristiano Ronaldo was their star of the season as the Portuguese international banged in 31 goals during the course of the league.
At the other end of the table, Derby county recorded the worst season as they managed to win only a single game while picking up a mere 11 points at the end of the season.
