Top 10 short reigns

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Sky Sports counts down 10 of the briefest managerial stints following Andre Villas-Boas' sacking

Andre Villas-Boas became the fourth Premier League managerial casualty this season when he was given the boot by Chelsea on Sunday.

Knee-jerk sackings have become something of the norm in recent times, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich never one to shy away from wielding the axe.

The Portuguese's dismissal after just over eight months in charge therefore came as no great surprise, with plenty of managers before him having been handed their P45 for less.

Then there are others that choose to walk on their own terms if things take a turn for the worse, or if a better offer comes along from elsewhere.

With Villas-Boas the latest boss to take his 'project' elsewhere, Sky Sports picks out 10 of the most memorable short managerial stints down the years.

Brian Clough - Leeds United

Of all the short managerial stays in the history of English football, Clough's 44-day stint at Leeds United in 1974 is the most infamous. Clough's appointment at Elland Road raised a few eyebrows, with the ex-striker having criticised Don Revie's "dirty" Leeds side for their physical approach during his days at Derby. Clough unsurprisingly failed to win over the dressing room in West Yorkshire and the resulting power struggle was ultimately won by the Whites players as the manager departed after just one win in six games. His exploits at Elland Road have since spurned a best-selling book and hit film.

Leroy Rosenior - Torquay United

The current holder of the record for the shortest managerial spell, Rosenior lasted just 10 minutes at Torquay. The Londoner returned for his second stint at Plainmoor in 2007 but was appointed as the club were being taken over by a local consortium. Rosenior was unveiled by the Gulls just as the new consortium decided they wanted their own man in and was consequently shown the door just 600 seconds later.

Micky Adams - Swansea

A year after parting ways with Kevin Cullis after just seven days, Swansea were at it again when Adams came and went within a fortnight. The Yorkshireman took over in South Wales having been promised funds to strengthen the squad but decided after only three games and 13 days in the hot-seat that the cash was not forthcoming and promptly packed his bags.

Steve Coppell - Manchester City

After enjoying success in his first managerial post at Crystal Palace, Coppell took the reins for an ill-fated stint at City. Coppell was at Maine Road for 33 days and just six games before heading straight out the door again, citing stress as the reason for his sudden departure. He said at the time: "I'm not ashamed to admit that I have suffered for some time from huge pressure I have imposed upon myself".

Gary Megson - Leicester

Leicester appointed seven managers over a four-year period during owner Milan Mandaric's spell at the club and the fourth of those was Megson. The boss arrived at the Walkers Stadium on September 13th 2007 but was packing his bags just 41 days and nine league games later after Bolton managed to prise him away, despite Mandaric rejecting two initial approaches from the Trotters.

Martin Ling - Cambridge

Ling sensationally departed Cambridge after just nine days in charge back in 2009 due to "irreconcilable differences" with chairman George Rolls. Ling had been handed the task of guiding the Conference club back into the Football League but left just days before the new season got underway. Any bad feeling was cleared up a mere 16 days later, however, when he returned to the Abbey Stadium for another go.

Dave Bassett - Crystal Palace

Bassett never actually put pen to paper on a contract at Selhurst Park but still makes the cut after deciding the club wasn't for him after only four days. He agreed a move to Palace in June 1984 but within 72 hours had a change of heart and headed back to Wimbledon. The Londoner did officially take a managerial role at the club 12 years later but left after only a year to join Nottingham Forest.

Paul Hart - QPR

Hart arrived at Loftus Road in December 2009 but was on his way less than a month later after a hapless stint in West London. Reported rows with then owner Flavio Briatore led to his exit, while his record of one win in five Championship matches in charge did him no favours. His departure made him the sixth manager - not including caretakers - to leave the club in two years and three months under Briatore.

Bill Lambton - Scunthorpe

Lambton's four-month stint at Leeds might have been enough to land him on this list but he went one better in his next post at Scunthorpe. He arrived at Glanford Park in April 1959 and lasted just three days in his new role, with a 3-0 defeat to Huddersfield enough to convince the club's owners he wasn't up to the job. Lambton tried his hand at management one more time at Chester but called it a day after 18 months with the Fourth Division strugglers.

Les Reed - Charlton

Charlton ensured Reed's festive period was far from merry when they gave him the axe on Christmas Eve 2006, just 41 days after he was appointed. During that brief tenure Reed managed just one victory with the Addicks and saw his side knocked out of the Carling Cup by League Two side Wycombe. The boss was handed the equivalent of a lump of coal on the 24th when he was shown the door and Alan Pardew was ushered in.

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