Where Clattenburg would rank in shortest Prem reigns after 74 days at Forest

It’s been 74 days since Mark Clattenburg first rocked up to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground to start work as their referee analyst.

And its been quite the rollercoaster since then – there was the high-profile incident when Darwin Nunez netted a winner for Liverpool in March, while tensions boiled over last month when Forest were denied three penalties against Everton.

Forest shared a statement slamming the Premier League’s choice to appoint Stuart Attwell, who they accused of being a Luton fan. While Clattenburg, in the Mail on Sunday, called the decisions a joke and said Forest were feeling victimised.

READ MORE: Nottingham Forest duo charged by FA for fuming comments after Everton VAR drama

READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg quits as Forest ref consultant and accuses pundits of ‘targeting him’

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And on the same day Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams have been charged with misconduct by the FA, Clattenburg has decided to step down. He said his position had “become more of a hindrance than help” to the club.

Clattenburg’s stint at Forest lasted barely any time at all, so Daily Star Sport looks at where this would have ranked in terms of the shortest managerial spells in Premier League history.

What do you think about Mark Clattenburg leaving his role at Nottingham Forest? Let us know in the comments section

Quique Sanchez Flores (85 days)



It wasn’t a dream return for Quique Sanchez Flores
(Image: Getty Images)

Watford had reached the FA Cup final mere months before they decided to split with Javi Gracia, turning back to Quique Sanchez Flores to try and save them from their woes.

It was Flores’ second spell at the helm of the Hornets, and he proved the old proverb ‘you should never go back’ correct.

Watford picked up just one win under the Spaniard before they were handed an 8-0 humbling by Manchester City. The nail in the coffin for Flores was losing a key relegation six-pointer against Southampton before he was relieved of responsibilities.

Bob Bradley (84 days)



Bob Bradley was seen as a long term solution at Swansea
(Image: Getty Images)

Before Ted Lasso was a hit TV series, the reference for American managers in the Premier League was Bob Bradley. Bradley beat off competition from the likes of Ryan Giggs for the role, only to last 11 games in charge.

The writing was on the wall for Bradley early doors – referring to away fixtures as “road games”.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins earmarked Bradley as a “long-term appointment” who would “stabilise matters on and off the pitch” – he picked up eight points out of 33 before being shown the door.

Frank de Boer (77 days)



Crystal Palace took a punt on Frank de Boer in 2017
(Image: Getty Images)

Anyone remember this? Crystal Palace fans certainly do – a Rolls Royce on the pitch and Fiat off it.

Frank de Boer had lasted just 85 days at Inter Milan before Palace decided to take a punt on him in 2017. Palace fans had hoped for their own brand of Total Football after being subjected to Sam Allardyce’s style of football the previous season.

However, De Boer lasted just 77 days, leaving with Palace rock bottom and his managerial credentials in tatters – having said that, he led the Netherlands to Euro 2020.

Rene Meulensteen (75 days)



Rene Meulensteen wasn’t the man to answer Fulham’s prayers
(Image: Getty Images)

Ask a Manchester United fan about Rene Meulensteen and you might catch them smiling from ear to ear – ask a Fulham fan, however, and the reception might be a tad more frosty.

Meulensteen had struggled at Danish side Brondby before he landed the Fulham gig, and his time at the Brondby Stadium might just have served as a warning.

He once encouraged his players to “find their spirit animal” before one game, going around each, in turn, asking them about their chosen species. He was sacked after three wins in 13, but it’s alright for Fulham fans, Felix Magath was next in line…

Javi Gracia (71 days)



Javi Gracia lasted just 12 games as Leeds boss – losing seven
(Image: Getty Images)

No football team quite does crisis like Leeds United.

Marcelo Bielsa was the man to bring them back to the Premier League, but after a severe case of second-season-syndrome the Argentine, who is beloved in West Yorkshire, was sacked. Jesse Marsch came in and swiftly went out.

Javi Gracia was next and he lasted just 71 days at Elland Road, defending he’d taken the team out of the relegation zone as he sat in 17th – more on the rest of Leeds’ season later. The Spaniard is the first man on our list to have been outlasted by Clattenburg.

Les Reed (41 days)



Les Reed’s record was finally broken in 2023
(Image: Getty Images)

For a long time Les Reed held the record for the shortest Premier League managerial spell – until last season.

Reed should have read the book on being a football manager before he turned up for his first day at The Valley – oh wait, he wrote it: ‘The Official FA Guide to Basic Team Coaching’.

In six weeks, Charlton fans saw themselves dumped out the League Cup by lowly Wycombe, record one win in the Prem, and quite hilariously dubbed as ‘Les Misérables’ in the press.

Sam Allardyce (30 days)



Sam Allardyce is the Premier League’s shortest reigning manager
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

We said we’d come back to Leeds’ season and here we are. How a club goes from Marcelo Bielsa to Sam Allardyce in 12 short months is beyond us – but Leeds United managed it.

The ultimate ‘Hail Mary’ of Hail Mary’s, Big Sam was given four games to guide Leeds to safety – he managed one point. On the final day of the season against Spurs before playing four centre-backs was cool, Big Sam played five.

The Peacocks crashed back down to the Championship to the tune of “you fat b******” – although that was sung in the direction of Weston McKennie, not Big Sam.

Charlton Athletic FCCrystal Palace FCFulham FCLeeds United FCNottingham Forest FCPremier LeagueSwansea City FCWatford FC