In the Championship, where the gap between a play-off push and a relegation battle can be just a few points, sacking the manager often seems like the quickest solution for an under-performing team.
But as clubs like Sheffield United and Watford have demonstrated this season, the “manager bounce” might not be what it once was.
At Watford, patience has once again run out.
The Hornets dismissed Paulo Pezzolano after only ten matches, continuing their remarkable record of managerial turnover: more than 20 coaches since 2012 and the Pozzo family takeover.
The decision was justified as promoting “stability and alignment,” but it didn’t feel that way.
The club’s struggles suggest that stability, rather than constant change, could be the missing ingredient.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Meanwhile, Sheffield United’s recent upheaval offers its own warning.
The Blades parted ways with Chris Wilder after failing to secure promotion last season, only to appoint Ruben Selles, whose tenure quickly fell apart.
Six straight defeats and a goal drought left United near the foot of the table.
By September, Wilder was back in charge, trying to repair the damage - and rebuild the club’s confidence.
Both cases highlight how unpredictable the so-called “bounce” can be: while a managerial change can sometimes spark a short-lived revival, data suggests the effect often fades after a few games.
A study from Sheffield Hallam University found that the impact of managerial change varied between clubs, providing no definitive evidence of improved performance as a result.
In a league as demanding as the Championship, success often hinges on other factors: squad depth, recruitment, injury management, and boardroom stability.
Without those, even the most charismatic new manager can’t shift momentum for long.
The lesson? Sacking the manager still makes headlines - and occasionally rescues a struggling season - but more often than not, it exposes deeper issues.
For Watford and Sheffield United, both eager to restore belief and direction, the real boost might come not from who’s in charge, but from finally learning to stop pressing the reset button.
Latest football news:
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic reveals his all-time top three
- Chelsea set their sights on Barcelona star to solve defensive crisis
- PSG prepare €60m move for Serie A star