Report: Where Frank Lampard’s sacking from Chelsea ranks amongst the harshest in Premier League history

After Frank Lampard's dismissal as Chelsea manager last week, BettingOdds.com have analysed every managerial sacking in Premier League history to determine which have been the harshest and which may have been justified. 

All sacked managers have been ranked across 13 different categories, with Lampard coming out on top as the manager who had spent the most money in the same season they were dismissed. Other categories include:

• Dismissed managers with the most/least points-per-game in the same season as their dismissal
• Sacked managers with the highest spend-per-point in the season they were dismissed
• Dismissed managers who had the largest points-per-game increase on the previous season

The study only focuses on the league results of the managers and is purely an analysis of managers who were forced to leave their respective clubs and not those who left on their own accord.

Dismissed managers with the most points-per-game in the same season as their dismissal

1. Avram Grant (Chelsea, 2007-08, End of Season) - 2.24
2. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2007-08, September) - 2
3. Roberto Mancini (Manchester City, 2012-13, May) - 2.08
4. Claudio Ranieri (Chelsea, 2003-04, End of Season) - 2.08
5. Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea, 2012-13, November) - 2 
6. Alan Curbishley (West Ham United, 2008-09, September) - 2
7. Luiz Felipe Scolari (Chelsea, 2008-09, February) - 1.96
8. Tim Sherwood (Tottenham Hotspur. 2013-14, End of Season) - 1.91 
9. Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea, 2010-11, End of Season) - 1.87
10. Antonio Conte (Chelsea, 2017-18, End of Season) - 1.84
11. Ruud Guillit (Chelsea, 1997-98, February) - 1.8
12. Kevin Keegan (Newcastle United, 1996-97, January) - 1.76  
13. Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City, 2015-16, End of Season) - 1.74
14. Louis Van Gaal (Manchester United, 2015-16, End of Season) - 1.74
15. David O'Leary (Leeds, 2001-02, End of Season) - 1.74

Dismissed managers with the least points-per-game in the same season as their dismissal

1. Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace, 2017-18, September) - 0
2. Paulo Di Canio (Sunderland, 2013-14, September) - 0.2
3. Ruud Guillit (Newcastle United, 1999-00, August) - 0.2
4. Javi Gracia (Watford, 2019-20, September) - 0.25
5. Peter Reid (Manchester City, 1993-94, August) - 0.25
6. Juande Ramos (Tottenham, 2008-09, October) -  0.25
7. Mark Hughes (Queens Park Rangers, 2012-13, November) - 0.33
8. Mick McCarthy (Sunderland, 2005-06, March) - 0.36
9. Dick Advocaat (Sunderland, 2015-16, October) - 0.38
10. Ian Holloway (Crystal Palace, 2013-14, October) - 0.38
11. Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa, 2015-16, October) - 0.4
12. Ray Harford (Blackburn, 1996-97, October) - 0.4
13. Slaviša Jokanović (Fulham, 2018-19, November) - 0.42
14. Billy Davies (Derby, 2007-08, November) - 0.43
15. Roy McFarland (Bolton, 1995-96, January) - 0.43

Dismissed managers with the most points-per game during their spell at their respective club

1. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2007-08, September) - 2.35
2. Avram Grant (Chelsea, 2007-08, End of Season) - 2.24
3. Chris Hughton (Newcastle United, 2010-11, December) - 2.22 
4. Antonio Conte (Chelsea, 2017-18, End of Season) - 2.14
5. Carlo Ancelotti  (Chelsea, 2010-11, End of Season) - 2.07
6. Roberto Mancini (Manchester City, 2012-13, May) - 2.05
7. Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City, 2015-16, End of Season) - 2.03
8. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2015-16, December) - 2
9. Luiz Felipe Scolari (Chelsea, 2008-09, February) - 1.96 
10. Tim Sherwood (Tottenham Hotspur. 2013-14, End of Season) - 1.91
11. Kevin Keegan (Newcastle United, 1996-97, January) - 1.9
12. Rafael Benítez (Liverpool, 2009-10, End of Season) - 1.9
13. José Mourinho (Manchester United, 2018-19, December) - 1.89
14. Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham Hotspur, 2019-20, November) - 1.89
15. Andre Villas-Boas (Tottenham Hotspur, 2013-14, December) - 1.83

Dismissed managers with the least points-per game during their spell at their respective club

1. Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace, 2017-18, September) - 0
2. Roy McFarland (Bolton, 1995-96, January) - 0.43
3. Alan Pardew (West Bromwich Albion, 2017-18, April) - 0.44
4. Sammy Lee (Bolton, 2007-08, October) - 0.55
5. Les Reed (Charlton, 2006-07, December) - 0.57
6. Howard Wilkinson (Sunderland, 2002-03, March) - 0.58
7. Chris Hutchings (Bradford, 2000-01, November) - 0.58
8. Rémi Garde (Aston Villa, 2015-16, March) - 0.6
9. Steve Wigley (Southampton, 2004-05, December) - 0.64
10. Mike Phelan (Hull City, 2016-17, January) - 0.65
11. John Carver (Newcastle United, 2014-15, End of Season) - 0.65 
12. Dave Bassett (Leicester City, 2001-02, Apri) - 0.65
13. Tony Adams (Portsmouth, 2008-09, February) - 0.67
14. Chris Hutchings (Wigan, 2007-08, November) - 0.67
15. Quique Sánchez Flores (Watford, 2019-20, December) - 0.7

Managers who spent the most money on transfers in the same season they were dismissed

1. Frank Lampard (Chelsea, 2020-21, January) - £222.48m
2. Antonio Conte (Chelsea, 2017-18, End of Season) - £198.63m
3. Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City, 2015-16, End of Season) - £187.38m
4. Claudio Ranieri (Chelsea, 2003-04, End of Season) - £152.73m
5. Ronald Koeman (Everton, 2017-18, October) - £142.38m
6. Louis Van Gaal (Manchester United, 2015-16,End of Season) - £140.4m
7. Unai Emery (Arsenal, 2019-20, November) - £137.16m
8. Mark Hughes (Manchester City, 2009-10, December) - £125.37m
9. Andre Villas-Boas (Tottenham Hotspur, 2013-14, December) - £110.28m
10. Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea, 2010-11, End of Season) - £109.35m
11. Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool, 2015-16, October) - £107.65m
12. Marco Silva (Everton, 2019-20, December) - £105.66m
13. Claude Puel (Leicester City, 2018-19, February) - £103.14m
14. Slaviša Jokanović (Fulham, 2018-19, November) - £101.8m
15. Steve McClaren (Newcastle United, 2015-16, March) - £97.12m

Sacked managers with the highest spend-per-point in the season they were dismissed

1. Juande Ramos (Tottenham, 2008-09, October) - £41.02m
2. Javi Gracia (Watford, 2019-20, September) - £32.4m
3. Ruud Guillit (Newcastle United, 1999-00, August) - £24.89m
4. Paulo Di Canio (Sunderland, 2013-14, September) - £23.94m
5. Slaviša Jokanović (Fulham, 2018-19, November) - £20.36m
6. Ronald Koeman (Everton, 2017-18, October) - £17.8m
7. Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa, 2015-16, October) - £14.97m
8. Dick Advocaat (Sunderland, 2015-16, October) - £13.61m
9. Craig Shakespeare (Leicester City, 2017-18, October) - £12.93m
10. Francesco Guidolin (Swansea City, 2016-17, October) - £10.51m
11. Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool, 2015-16, October) - £8.97m
12. Martin Jol (Tottenham, 2007-08, October) - £8.27m
13. Frank Lampard (Chelsea, 2020-21, January) - £7.67m
14. Unai Emery (Arsenal, 2019-20, November) - £7.62m
15. Marco Silva (Everton, 2019-20, December) - £7.55m

Sacked managers with the highest spend-per-point during their spell at their respective club

1. Steve McClaren (Newcastle United, 2015-16, March) - £4.05m
2. Mark Hughes (Manchester City, 2009-10, December) - £3.38m
3. Mark Hughes (Southampton, 2018-19, December) - £3.3m
4. Ronald Koeman (Everton, 2017-18, October) - £3.19m
5. Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa, 2015-16, October) - £3m
6. Dick Advocaat (Sunderland, 2015-16, October) - £2.72m
7. Craig Shakespeare (Leicester City, 2017-18, October) - £2.68m
8. Paulo Di Canio (Sunderland, 2013-14, September) - £2.66m
9. Juande Ramos (Tottenham, 2008-09, October) - £2.66m
10. José Mourinho (Manchester United, 2018-19, December) - £2.38m
11. Unai Emery (Arsenal, 2019-20, November) - £2.38m
12. Manuel Pellegrini (West Ham United, 2019-20, December) - £2.36m
13. Frank Lampard (Chelsea, 2020-21, January) - £2.34m
14. Antonio Conte (Chelsea, 2017-18, End of Season) - £2.16m
15. Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea, 2012-13, November) - £2.05m

Sacked managers who were highest in the Premier League table at the time of their dismissal

• Avram Grant (Chelsea, 2007-08, End of Season) - 2nd
• Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea, 2010-11, End of Season) - 2nd
• Claudio Ranieri  (Chelsea, 2003-04, End of Season) - 2nd
• Roberto Mancini (Manchester City, 2012-13, May) - 2nd
• Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea, 2012-13, November) - 3rd
• Ruud Guillit (Chelsea, 1997-98, February) - 3rd
• Gérard Houllier (Liverpool , 2003-04, End of Season) - 4th
• Harry Redknapp (Tottenham Hotspur, 2011-12, End of Season) - 4th
• Kevin Keegan (Newcastle United, 1996-97, January) - 4th
• Luiz Felipe Scolari (Chelsea, 2008-09, February) - 4th
• Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City, 2015-16, End of Season) - 4th

Dismissed managers who had the largest points-per-game increase on the previous season

Alan Curbishley (West Ham United, 2008-09, September) - 0.71

Points per game at time of dismissal: 2 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.29

Bruce Rioch (Arsenal, 1995-96, End of Season) - 0.44

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.66 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.22

Mark Hughes (Manchester City, 2009-10, December) - 0.39

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.71 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.32

Ossie Ardiles (Tottenham, 1994-95, November) - 0.35

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.42 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.07

Claudio Ranieri (Chelsea, 2003-04, End of Season) - 0.32

Points per game at time of dismissal: 2 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.68

Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea, 2012-13, November) - 0.32

Points per game at time of dismissal: 2.08 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.76

Glenn Hoddle (Southampton, 2000-01, March) - 0.31

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.47 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.16

Howard Wilkinson (Leeds United, 1996-97, September) - 0.27

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.4 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.13

Paul Sturrock (Southampton, 2004-05, August) - 0.26

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.5 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.24

Graeme Souness (Liverpool, 1993-94, January) - 0.25 

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.65 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.4

Ruud Guillit (Chelsea, 1997-98, February) - 0.25

Points per game at time of dismissal: 1.8 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.55

Dismissed managers who had the largest points-per-game decrease on the previous season

1. Mick McCarthy (Sunderland, 2005-06, March) - -1.69

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.35 Points per game in the previous campaign: 2.04

2. Slaviša Jokanović (Fulham, 2018-19, November) - -1.5

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.41 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.91

3. Billy Davies (Derby, 2007-08, November) - -1.4

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.43 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.83

4. Dave Bassett (Nottingham Forest, 1998-99, January) - -1.39

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.65 Points per game in the previous campaign: 2.04

5. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2015-16, December) - -1.35

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.94 Points per game in the previous campaign: 2.29

6. Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City, 2016-17, February) - -1.29

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.84 Points per game in the previous campaign: 2.13

7. Slaven Bilić (West Bromwich Albion, 2020-21, December) - -1.27

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.53 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.8

8. Roy McFarland (Bolton, 1995-96, January) - -1.24

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.43 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.67

9. Ray Harford (Blackburn, 1996-97, October) - -1.21

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.4 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.61

10. Ian Holloway (Crystal Palace, 2013-14, October) - -1.19

Points per game at time of dismissal: 0.38 Points per game in the previous campaign: 1.57

Dismissed managers who had the largest league table position increase on the previous season

1. Billy Bonds (West Ham, 1993-94, End of Season) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 13th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 24th (2nd in Division 1)  

2. Chris Hughton (Newcastle United, 2010-11, December) - 10

League Position at time of dismissal: 11th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 21st (1st in the Championship) 

3. Quique Sánchez Flores (Watford, 2015-16, End of Season) - 9 

League Position at time of dismissal: 13th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 22nd (2nd in the Championship) 

4. Bruce Rioch (Arsenal, 1995-96, End of Season) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 5th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 12th 

4. Doug Livermore & Ray Clemence (Tottenham Hotspur, 1992-93, End of Season) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 8th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 15th 

4. Marco Silva (Watford, 2017-18, January) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 10th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 17th

4. Nigel Pearson (Leicester City, 2014-15, End of Season) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 14th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 21st (1st in the Championship) 

8. Glenn Hoddle (Southampton, 2000-01, March) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 9th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 15th 

8. Roberto Di Matteo (West Bromwich Albion, 2010-11, February) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 22nd (2nd in the Championship) 

8. Gary Megson (West Bromwich Albion, 2004-05, October) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 22nd (2nd in the Championship)  

8. Ian Holloway (Crystal Palace, 2013-14, October) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 19th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 25th (5th in the Championship) 

Dismissed managers who had the largest league table position decrease on the previous season

1. Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City, 2016-17, February) - -16

League Position at time of dismissal: 17th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 1st 

2. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2015-16, December) - -15

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 1st 

3. Roy Hodgson (Blackburn, 1998-99, November) - -14

League Position at time of dismissal: 6th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

4. Martin Jol (Tottenham, 2007-08, October) - -13

League Position at time of dismissal: 5th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 18th 

4. Ray Harford (Blackburn, 1996-97, October) - -13

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

6. Paul Ince (Blackburn, 2008-09, December) - -12

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 19th 

6. Sir Bobby Robson (Newcastle United, 2004-05, August) - -12

League Position at time of dismissal: 5th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 17th

6. Sammy Lee (Bolton, 2007-08, October) - -12 

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 19th 

9. Ronald Koeman (Everton, 2017-18, October) - -11 

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 18th 

9. Frank Clark (Nottingham Forest, 1996-97, December) - -11 

League Position at time of dismissal: 9th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

9. Peter Reid (Manchester City, 1993-94, August) - -11

League Position at time of dismissal: 9th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

Sacking justified? - Highest increase in league table position in the following season after a Premier League club sacked their manager

1. Mike Walker (Everton, 1994-95, November) - 16

League Position at time of dismissal: 22nd Final League Position in the following campaign: 6th 

1. Juande Ramos (Tottenham, 2008-09, October) - 16

League Position at time of dismissal: 20th Final League Position in the following campaign: 4th  

3. Ron Atkinson (Aston Villa, 1994-95, November) - 15

League Position at time of dismissal: 19th Final League Position in the following campaign: 4th 

3. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2015-16, December) - 15

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the following campaign: 1st 

5. Ray Harford (Blackburn, 1996-97, October) - 14

League Position at time of dismissal: 20th Final League Position in the following campaign: 6th 

6. Nigel Pearson (Leicester City, 2014-15, End of Season) - 13

League Position at time of dismissal: 14th Final League Position in the following campaign: 1st 

7. Nigel Adkins (Southampton, 2012-13, January) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 19th Final League Position in the following campaign: 8th 

7. Lawrie Sanchez (Fulham, 2007-08, December) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 18th Final League Position in the following campaign: 7th 

7. Ian Branfoot (Southampton, 1993-94, January) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 21st Final League Position in the following campaign: 10th 

Dismissed managers who had the largest league table position increase on the previous season

1. Billy Bonds (West Ham, 1993-94, End of Season) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 13th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 24th (2nd in Division 1)  

2. Chris Hughton (Newcastle United, 2010-11, December) - 10

League Position at time of dismissal: 11th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 21st (1st in the Championship) 

3. Quique Sánchez Flores (Watford, 2015-16, End of Season) - 9 

League Position at time of dismissal: 13th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 22nd (2nd in the Championship) 

4. Bruce Rioch (Arsenal, 1995-96, End of Season) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 5th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 12th 

4. Doug Livermore & Ray Clemence (Tottenham Hotspur, 1992-93, End of Season) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 8th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 15th 

4. Marco Silva (Watford, 2017-18, January) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 10th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 17th

4. Nigel Pearson (Leicester City, 2014-15, End of Season) - 7

League Position at time of dismissal: 14th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 21st (1st in the Championship) 

8. Glenn Hoddle (Southampton, 2000-01, March) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 9th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 15th 

8. Roberto Di Matteo (West Bromwich Albion, 2010-11, February) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 22nd (2nd in the Championship) 

8. Gary Megson (West Bromwich Albion, 2004-05, October) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 22nd (2nd in the Championship)  

8. Ian Holloway (Crystal Palace, 2013-14, October) - 6

League Position at time of dismissal: 19th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 25th (5th in the Championship) 

Dismissed managers who had the largest league table position decrease on the previous season

1. Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City, 2016-17, February) - -16

League Position at time of dismissal: 17th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 1st 

2. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2015-16, December) - -15

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 1st 

3. Roy Hodgson (Blackburn, 1998-99, November) - -14

League Position at time of dismissal: 6th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

4. Martin Jol (Tottenham, 2007-08, October) - -13

League Position at time of dismissal: 5th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 18th 

4. Ray Harford (Blackburn, 1996-97, October) - -13

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

6. Paul Ince (Blackburn, 2008-09, December) - -12

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 19th 

6. Sir Bobby Robson (Newcastle United, 2004-05, August) - -12

League Position at time of dismissal: 5th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 17th

6. Sammy Lee (Bolton, 2007-08, October) - -12 

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 19th 

9. Ronald Koeman (Everton, 2017-18, October) - -11 

League Position at time of dismissal: 7th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 18th 

9. Frank Clark (Nottingham Forest, 1996-97, December) - -11 

League Position at time of dismissal: 9th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

9. Peter Reid (Manchester City, 1993-94, August) - -11

League Position at time of dismissal: 9th Final League Position in the previous campaign: 20th 

Sacking justified? - Highest increase in league table position in the following season after a Premier League club sacked their manager

1. Mike Walker (Everton, 1994-95, November) - 16

League Position at time of dismissal: 22nd Final League Position in the following campaign: 6th 

1. Juande Ramos (Tottenham, 2008-09, October) - 16

League Position at time of dismissal: 20th Final League Position in the following campaign: 4th  

3. Ron Atkinson (Aston Villa, 1994-95, November) - 15

League Position at time of dismissal: 19th Final League Position in the following campaign: 4th 

3. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2015-16, December) - 15

League Position at time of dismissal: 16th Final League Position in the following campaign: 1st 

5. Ray Harford (Blackburn, 1996-97, October) - 14

League Position at time of dismissal: 20th Final League Position in the following campaign: 6th 

6. Nigel Pearson (Leicester City, 2014-15, End of Season) - 13

League Position at time of dismissal: 14th Final League Position in the following campaign: 1st 

7. Nigel Adkins (Southampton, 2012-13, January) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 19th Final League Position in the following campaign: 8th 

7. Lawrie Sanchez (Fulham, 2007-08, December) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 18th Final League Position in the following campaign: 7th 

7. Ian Branfoot (Southampton, 1993-94, January) - 11

League Position at time of dismissal: 21st Final League Position in the following campaign: 10th