EPL

Premier League future 'bright' despite managerial sacking record, says LMA chief Bevan

By Sports Desk May 27, 2023

The Premier League has a "bright future" despite a record-breaking season for managerial departures, according to the League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan.

The 2022-23 season has seen 14 managerial changes – four more than any other previous Premier League campaign – after Javi Gracia parted ways with Leeds United just 70 days into his Elland Road tenure.

Graham Potter was also dismissed with little time to impress after replacing Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, with only eight of the 20 top-flight clubs going through the entire campaign without a change in the dugout.

Bevan understands the brutal nature of the business and suggested managers acknowledge the pressure to provide instant success for their respective sides.

"Certainly, in football, the volatility of being a football manager and a coach is something that they understand. The coaches understand the importance of results," he told Stats Perform at the Football Business Awards.

"At the same time, I think it's making sure that all of our coaches have the right teams and the tools to succeed as a football manager.

"We've got some great successes as well, in terms of young managers coming through. And I think we have a bright future, despite the statistics of manager tenure this year.

"I think like everything else in business, and today with a football club, preparation [is essential to succeeding in a short space of time], and equally getting recruitment right.

"[Going forward] I hope the coaches and the managers all achieve their aspirations and also recognise that failure is not fatal.

"[Managers need to] make sure that they can maximise the opportunities and really build their team so that they're successful on the pitch, as well as the club being successful off the pitch."

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