Manager Sackings, Departures & Apps for the 2023-24 Season

Get the impression that the Cowley team are full of ambition,( nothing wrong with that) to get into the upper echelon of football management but I think they just don't have "that extra bit" about them to achieve that ambition

Ian Foster: Plymouth Argyle appoint former England Under-20 boss as head coach..

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Championship side Plymouth Argyle have named former England Under-20 manager Ian Foster as their new head coach.

The ex-Liverpool academy player, 47, was working as Steven Gerrard's number two at Al-Ettifaq, in Saudi Arabia.

Foster replaces Steven Schumacher, who left for Stoke last month after getting the Pilgrims promoted in 2022-23.

He led England Under-19s to the European Championship title in 2022 and was assistant to Steve Cooper's Under-17 World Cup winners in 2017.

"He was the perfect candidate to lead our great football club forward as we embark on our next five-year mission," Pilgrims chairman Simon Hallett said.

"Ian showed a passion and knowledge for the club throughout the interview process, and showcased in some detail how he sees the best way to take forward our exciting and dynamic young squad.

"Having worked with some of the best players this country has produced, he has a passion for developing young footballers, as well as playing expansive, attacking football which fits perfectly with how we want the club to progress."

Director of football Neil Dewsnip and assistant coach Kevin Nancekivell, who will remain part of Foster's coaching team, had overseen first-team affairs during the festive period following Schumacher's departure on 19 December.

Plymouth, in their first season in the second tier since 2009-10, are 18th in the table and seven points clear of the relegation zone.

A former striker, Foster's playing career included spells with Hereford, Barrow, Chester and Kidderminster,

His coaching career began in the League of Ireland where he replaced former Southampton and Blackburn defender Jeff Kenna as Galway boss in 2009.

He guided Dundalk to the Europa League in 2010 before returning to England and coaching roles at Coventry and Portsmouth.

In addition to acting as Phil Neville's assistant in the England women's set-up, Foster led England Under-20s in the 2023 World Cup, where England suffered a last-16 exit to Italy last May.

He left the Football Association in July to join Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, who are mid-table in the Saudi Pro League.

Tony Mowbray: Birmingham City name ex-Sunderland boss as manager..

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Birmingham City will be the eighth club Tony Mowbray has managed

Birmingham City have named Tony Mowbray as their new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal, six days after sacking Wayne Rooney.

Mowbray, 60, was himself sacked by Blues' Championship rivals Sunderland on 4 December.

Ex-England captain Rooney managed just two wins from his 15 games in charge.

Mowbray is the club's third boss this season after they controversially parted company with John Eustace in October with Blues sixth in the table.

Since then Birmingham have fallen to 20th in the Championship, six points above the relegation zone.

Blues were under caretaker boss Steve Spooner when they drew 1-1 in the FA Cup third round at Hull City on Saturday, when they were denied a morale-boosting win by an 87th-minute equaliser.

But Mowbray, who will have long-time assistant Mark Venus beside him, now starts with two home games.

On Saturday Blues host 16th-placed Swansea City, who are also under new management with former Notts County boss Luke Williams also be taking charge of his first league match at his new club.

Birmingham will then face the cup replay against Liam Rosenior's Hull.

Blues, the Championship's longest-serving club, are in their 13th season at second-tier level following their third relegation from the Premier League in 2011 - the same year they won the League Cup, the last major trophy won by a West Midlands club.

Mowbray follows Chris Hughton, Lee Clark, Gary Rowett, Gianfranco Zola, Harry Redknapp, Steve Cotterill, Garry Monk, Pep Clotet, Aitor Karanka, Lee Bowyer, Eustace and Rooney as the 13th manager in 13 seasons to attempt to restore Blues to the top flight.

They may be better equipped to attempt it now, following last summer's takeover by new American owners, headed by global sporting superstar Tom Brady and Tom Wagner, who vowed in August that "there's really no limit to what we can do".

Michael Flynn: Swindon Town manager departs after eight months in charge..

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Michael Flynn took over at Swindon last May and leaves with the club 15th in the table

Swindon Town manager Michael Flynn has left the League Two club after just over eight months in charge following their 2-1 defeat by Crewe on Saturday.

Flynn was appointed on 8 May last year and signed a contract extension at the start of November to run until the end of 2025-26.

A club statement said the decision came as a "result of amicable discussions".

Swindon are 15th in the table and have won just three of their past 15 matches, losing 10 of them.

Flynn's assistant manager Wayne Hatswell has also departed, with Gavin Gunning - the Robins' development phase loans manager - taking charge of the team in the interim period.

"Firstly, I would like to thank Michael and Wayne for their efforts during their time at the club and wish them all the best in the future," club owner Clem Morfuni said.

"I have confidence that Gavin can deliver a successful campaign for the 2023-24 season and this starts with Saturday's game against Tranmere.

"We hope our supporters will continue to back the first team and the new coaching staff we have in place, as we look to build a positive, successful environment."

Former Walsall and Newport County boss Flynn took over at the Wiltshire club at the end of last season, following the sacking of Jody Morris after 18 games in charge.

Swindon started this season with a run of nine league games unbeaten but results have since faded, with the Robins now eight points away from the top six.

Their 54 goals conceded is also the joint-second worst total of any club in the division.

The team has been hampered by a number of injuries to first-team players this winter and after the loss to Crawley, Flynn said they had been at their "bare bones". Two players were signed on Friday, with Flynn indicating on Saturday that more were coming this week.

However, his departure means Swindon are now searching for their fifth manager since June 2022 after Ben Garner, Scott Lindsey and Morris preceded him.

Swindon owner Morfuni - who took over in July 2021 following a lengthy legal battle - reiterated in November that he was committed to the club and not looking to sell.

Yet last month he was charged with breaking English Football League rules, for failing to disclose that he transferred 17.1% of shares in the club in September 2022.

Adding meat to the post above by lostinspace: Jose Mourinho: Roma sack former Manchester United and Chelsea boss and appoint Daniele de Rossi..

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Jose Mourinho took over at Roma following his departure from Tottenham

Jose Mourinho has been sacked as Roma manager and replaced by the club's former captain Daniele de Rossi.

Mourinho, 60, took over in May 2021 and led Roma to the Europa Conference League title a year later and the Europa League final in 2023.

But they are ninth in Serie A, five points off the Champions League places, and last week were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by city rivals Lazio.

Former midfielder De Rossi will replace Mourinho until the end of the season.

The club legend, 40, came through Roma's academy and played 616 times for the first team between 2001 and 2019.

De Rossi retired in 2020 and has since had one spell as manager - a 17-game tenure at Serie B club SPAL which ended with the Italian's sacking last February.

"We believe that the leadership and ambition that have always characterised him can be decisive in chasing the objectives that the team has ahead of it until end of the season," said Roma's owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin.

"We knew the indissoluble bond that unites Daniele to the club, but the enthusiasm with which he immediately accepted this challenge... further convinced us of his ability to be a guide for the players and a proud representative of the values ​​of this club."

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Daniele de Rossi has made the second-most appearances for Roma

De Rossi, who played 117 times for Italy and won the World Cup in 2006, said: "The emotion of being able to sit on our bench is indescribable, everyone knows what Roma is for me, but the work that awaits all of us has already taken over.

"We have no time, no choice. Being competitive, fighting for our goals and trying to achieve them are the only priorities that my staff and I have given ourselves."

De Rossi's appointment came just four hours after the sacking of Mourinho, when the Friedkins thanked the Portuguese "for the passion and commitment he has shown" as manager.

"We will always have great memories of his stewardship, but we believe that, in the best interests of the club, immediate change is necessary," they added in a statement.

Mourinho received a second successive red card in the Lazio loss and afterwards compared himself to Harry Potter, suggesting his profile was "raising expectations" for what Roma could achieve.

That result was followed by a 3-1 league defeat by AC Milan on Sunday, which left Roma five points adrift of fourth-placed Fiorentina and led to his dismissal.

Victory in the 2022 Conference League secured Roma's first major European title and earned Mourinho huge support among the club's fanbase.

But after they were beaten on penalties by Sevilla in last season's Europa League final Roma made a poor start to the current campaign, taking just five points from their first six Serie A matches.

With Roma 16th in the table, the former Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Tottenham boss said he had rejected the "craziest offer" to leave last summer.

Stuart Maynard: Notts County appoint Wealdstone boss as new head coach..

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Stuart Maynard was a youth player on the books at Watford and went on to have an extensive non-league career

League Two promotion-hopefuls Notts County have named Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard as their new head coach.

The 43-year-old replaces Luke Williams at Meadow Lane after the National League promotion-winning head coach left Notts to take charge of Championship side Swansea on 5th January.

Maynard leaves mid-table National League side Wealdstone after three years at the helm.

Notts said they had been "tracking his progress for a long time".

A statement from the Notts board of directors read: "We have huge respect for the outstanding job he's done at Wealdstone on limited resources.

"We believe he will thrive in a full-time environment and is an excellent fit for us in terms of his playing philosophy, which puts him in a strong position to settle in quickly and lead our continued push for promotion to League One."

His assistant at Wealdstone, Matt Saunders, and first-team coach Craig Saunders will join him at Meadow Lane.

"Alongside Matt and Craig, he has formed a formidable and dedicated coaching team who will integrate seamlessly into our existing set-up as we look to build on the foundations we've laid during our adaptation to life back in the EFL," the statement added.

"With Stuart in place, we're also now in a stronger position to help the squad with additions before the end of the transfer window."

Maynard first stepped up as Stones caretaker boss in February 2021 and has guided the semi-professional London club to back-to-back mid-table finishes in the past two seasons.

The former midfielder, who started on the books at Watford and went on to have an extensive non-league career that included a stint with Wealdstone, led the club to their highest league position for 36 years last term as they finished 13th.

He leaves Wealdstone in the exact same position after 25 games this season, with his last match being Saturday's 1-0 FA Trophy fourth-round win against Chelmsford City.

Last season he hailed Williams' Notts side as the best he had ever seen in the National League.

Maynard now takes charge of a team that is chasing a second successive promotion, having reclaimed their status as the world's oldest football league club by winning the National League promotion final last May.

The Magpies are sixth in the table after their thrilling 5-5 draw at Grimsby in their first match since Williams' departure earlier in the month.

His first match in charge will be Saturday's home game against League Two leaders Stockport.

Kevin Phillips: Hartlepool United appoint ex-England and Sunderland striker as head coach..

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Kevin Phillips will be taking his second job in management after three previous coaching roles

National League side Hartlepool United have appointed former England striker Kevin Phillips as their new head coach.

The Sunderland legend, 50, takes over after the sacking of previous boss John Askey on 30th December.

Phillips was most recently in charge at South Shields, leading them to promotion to the sixth-tier National League North last season.

"I can't thank the chairman enough for the opportunity to take charge of this fantastic club," Phillips said.

"I'm familiar with the North East having played and managed up here, so I know the area and the passion of the people from up here.

"I'm excited about the challenge and can't wait to get stuck in. We know what we need to do to get up that league table, we need results, and I want to provide some fresh ideas for us to achieve that."

Hartlepool, who were relegated from League Two last May, were 16th in the National League before Saturday's fixture at Ebbsfleet, four points above the relegation zone and 10 adrift of the play-off positions.

Phillips will formally take charge following Tuesday's league fixture against Kidderminster.

He will have two full-time assistants for his second managerial job, in the experienced former Middlesbrough and Charlton boss Lennie Lawrence and Antony Sweeney.

'Incredible pedigree'
Phillips had nine clubs during his 20-year playing career, including Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, West Brom, Aston Villa and Birmingham.

He scored a total of 287 goals, won eight caps for England and became the only English player to win Europe's Golden Shoe award in 2000.

Since retiring in 2014, he has held coaching roles with Leicester, Derby and Stoke before his 15-month stint at South Shields.

Hartlepool chairman Raj Singh said he was "delighted" to have secured Phillips' services.

"Kevin comes with an incredible pedigree having played at the highest level of the game, but also having transitioned into coaching and managerial roles with great success," he said.

"His drive to be successful and hands-on approach was evident in the process. Additionally, the combination and balance of skillsets between Kevin, Tony and Lennie was a key factor in the decision, with a focus to immediately impact a crucial block of games over the coming weeks and then push on to the end of the season.

"It has taken longer than I'd have hoped, largely due to the uncertainty that currently surrounds the club, but I am very pleased to have finally secured Kevin with his credentials."

Matt Taylor: Shrewsbury sack head coach after poor run..

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Matt Taylor's spell at Shrewsbury was his second job in management

Shrewsbury Town have sacked head coach Matt Taylor after a run of seven defeats in eight games.

Taylor was appointed by the League One side in June 2023 as he took on his second managerial role after a spell at Walsall in 2021-22.

Assistant Marcus Bignot has also left, the club said in a statement.

Shrewsbury's 2-1 loss away at Peterborough on Saturday left them 19th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.

They are the sixth EFL team to change manager since the turn of the year and Taylor is the ninth managerial departure in League One this season.

The former Portsmouth, Bolton and West Ham midfielder succeeded Steve Cotterill, who guided Town to 12th place last season - their best finish for five years - before exiting after two and a half years in charge.

Taylor, who also had spells at Luton, Burnley, Northampton and Swindon as a player, left his role as coach of Tottenham Under-18s to take up his first senior managerial role with Walsall in League Two before the 2021-22 season.

He lost three of his first four league games in charge but steered the Saddlers to mid-table before a run of seven successive defeats left them 21st, four points above the relegation zone, and resulted in his sacking.

Afcon 2023: Ghana sack boss Chris Hughton after group-stage exit..

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Ghana have sacked coach Chris Hughton after their group-stage exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars finished on two points in Group B, drawing 2-2 with both Egypt and Mozambique following a 2-1 defeat by Cape Verde in their opener.

Ghana had distant hopes of progressing as one of four best-ranked third placed sides, but were eliminated on Tuesday when results went against them.

Hughton had been appointed as Ghana head coach in February last year.

"Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect," a Ghana Football Association (GFA) statement said., external

"The executive council has also taken a decision to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars.

"The GFA will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars."

Former Newcastle United and Brighton boss Hughton began working as a technical adviser for the four-time continental champions in February 2022.

He replaced Otto Addo as boss after Addo stepped down following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Ghana finished bottom of Group H with one win from three matches.

Ghana also exited the 2021 Afcon finals in Cameroon at the group stage, and the West Africans suffered the same fate in Ivory Coast.

The GFA said it was "100%" behind Hughton after a fan had a "verbal altercation" with the coach following their shock defeat by Cape Verde.

It had looked like the 65-year-old would guide the Black Stars to the last 16, with Ghana sitting second in Group B while holding a 2-0 lead over Mozambique in their final group game.

However, the Mambas scored twice in second-half stoppage time to clinch an unlikely draw which ultimately sent the Ghanaians home.

The West Africans had also endured a mixed start to 2026 World Cup qualifiers under Hughton, beating Madagascar with a stoppage-time goal before losing 1-0 in Comoros.


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