Top 10 EFL Managers Out of Work in Summer 2025

The 2024/25 EFL season is officially over, but the managerial merry-go-round has already bolted into life.

With several vacancies to be filled ahead of the new campaign, it’s shaping up to be a hectic summer in the Sack Race.

With that in mind, our man Gab Sutton has spotlighted the top 10 out-of-work EFL managers - in no particular order - and explored what the future might hold for each of them.

1. Johannes Hoff Thorup

It would be difficult to argue that Johannes Hoff Thorup raised his stock at Norwich City, underachieving in the end with a comfortably top-10 squad, delivering a 13th-placed finish – even with injuries factored in.

At the same time, the Dane did showcase some innovative ideas, especially in the first three months, that made the Canaries one of the most enterprising sides in the league – given a bit more time, another transfer window and a stronger backroom team, he could deliver a more consistent version of that.

2. Steve Evans

Steve Evans has won promotions in six of his 11 stints across a 31-year managerial career.

Of the other five, the Scot could’ve been on the cusp of achieving that feat at Mansfield, before jumping ship, his Leeds tenure was under the chaotic Cellino ownership regime, while successive top half finishes in League One at Gillingham was a respectable achievement – given that the same club are struggling to do that in League Two with a far bigger budget.

So, while Evans divides opinion, he’s happy to be the pantomime villain – and his strong CV will attract suitors, even off the back of a disappointing second spell at Rotherham.

3. Michael Duff

Michael Duff was treated harshly by Huddersfield owner Kevin Nagle for his side dropping out of the top six for the first time, in their League One campaign, since autumn.

Since then, though, the Terriers lost eight in 10 to crash out of the Play-Off scramble, adding weight to the notion that Duff deserved the chance to rebuild the squad and, with far more players out of contract this summer than the last, he would’ve had that chance.

Duff’s external stock may have dropped since leaving Barnsley, having done excellent work both there and at Cheltenham, but the Huddersfield gig needed more time, while Swansea was simply a bad fit for all parties.

So, managerless EFL clubs have a golden opportunity to poach a manager of Duff’s quality, without needing to pay compensation.

4. Luke Williams

One of the EFL’s top in-possession coaches, Luke Williams has brought innovative ideas to every club he’s been at, whether as a number one or not, as well as being extremely likeable and charismatic.

However, his perceived limitations as an out-of-possession coach mean, in his next job, he’ll have to assemble a backroom team that complements his skillset, and/or pick a club that’s committed to a long-term vision.

5. Ian Evatt

In theory, Ian Evatt’s stock should be high after delivering four consecutive seasons of progress with Bolton Wanderers, including one promotion and two Play-Off finishes, all whilst employing an attractive style, something he implemented with great success in the National League with Barrow.

The former centre-back, though, can have an abrasive approach to man management, while his outspoken personality can repel as well as attract – so it’s whether his credentials and coaching nous outweigh any concerns.

6. Rob Edwards

In Rob Edwards’ career thus far, he’s delivered the League Two title with Forest Green, won Championship promotion with Luton, via the Play-Offs, and made them competitive in the Premier League – a spellbinding start.

In his final season at Kenilworth Road, though, Edwards looked jaded but he left the Hatters with real class and grace, and should now be recharged for his next adventure.

The former England youth coach likes a 3-4-1-2 system built around intense pressing, and plenty of crosses into the box, with the ability to recycle and control midfield when that initial approach isn’t working.

7. Des Buckingham

Having built an exciting coaching career across the globe, doing great work in New Zealand and India, Des Buckingham added a League One promotion with Oxford to his impressive CV.

Without a playing career, Buckingham is streets ahead of ex-players in terms of coaching experience at 40, having started out at 18, and likes to build teams that are patient with the ball at the back, invite the press, then accelerate quickly down the flanks.

The former Mumbai City boss can stamp a real identity on his teams but, as we saw initially at Oxford, his boyhood club, he needs the correct personnel to be in place to get results.

8. Rubén Sellés

Schooled under Ralph Hassenhuttl at Southampton, Ruben Sellés is very much a pressing coach, favouring an aggressive 4-3-3 with the front three all involved right on the first line of engagement.

As well as being highly technically accomplished at his work, the Spaniard also has impressive soft skills, which he had to demonstrate in chaotic circumstances at Reading, whom he led into Play-Off contention this season under the ill-fated Dai Yongge ownership regime.

The 41-year-old also kept Hull up this season, which was his initial requirement, as his stock continues to grow.

9. Jon Brady

Jon Brady has delivered positive results in each of his five seasons at Northampton, even if his first resulted in relegation as a consequence of prior damage.

The Aussie can assemble a good team that keeps things water-tight at the back, with a set piece proficiency, like his 2021-22 Cobblers side that missed out on automatic promotion from League Two on the final day, by virtue of goals scored.

Conversely, he can also assemble a good team that builds play from the back and through a default playmaker in midfield, like the team that attained a top three finish the following season, and managed midtable in League One on a bottom-end budget.

Plus, in that time, Brady has shown admirable adaptability to respond to injury crises and find a temporary system that delivers results, something many Premier League managers can struggle with.

If the 50-year-old can be paired in his next job with an assistant with a high-end, developmental background, he could achieve something special.

10. Russell Martin

After leading Southampton to the Premier League via the Championship Play-Offs in 2023-24, Russell Martin’s stock has taken a hit with five points amassed from 16 games under his watch this season.

Nonetheless, the former centre-back has remained in high-profile media circles, and has been heavily linked with the Leicester job.

Martin’s stylistic appeal means he can be given opportunities that are bigger than he might have earned on results alone, which means it’s difficult to tell quite how good he is – having left MK Dons and Swansea for a bigger opportunity, before he’d had the chance to show the fruits of his more formative, developmental work.