The 2025/2026 season has begun with a major managerial shake-up that has generated talking points among fans and pundits in football.
These managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, and Erik Ten Hag, were all dismissed within a week by their respective clubs following a terrible start to the season, from August 28 to September 1, 2025.
Some of them were sacked due to their performances in their local leagues, while others were fired for failure to qualify for European competitions.
Bayer Leverkusen sack Eric Ten Hag
About the managers:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The former Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was relieved of his duties as Besiktas manager after the Turkish Super Lig giants crashed out of the Conference League play-offs on August 28, 2025.
The Norwegian coach, who joined Besiktas in January 2025, arrived on a one-and-a-half-year deal but lasted only eight months in the role.
Besiktas was Solskjaer’s first managerial job since he left United’s head coach position in 2021.
After joining the Turkish club, the 52-year-old guided them to a fourth-place finish in the Super Lig. The club started the 2025-26 league campaign with a 2-1 win over Eyupspor, but things went south after the clash on August 18, as they first drew against Lausanne before losing the home tie.
Jose Mourinho
Legendary Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho was sacked by Fenerbahce after over a year in charge on August 29, 2025.
The Portuguese’s departure came two days after the Turkish club were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Benfica.
In a statement, Fenerbahce said Mourinho had “parted ways” with the club, before thanking the 62-year-old for his efforts and wishing him well.
Mourinho was a frequent critic of the standard of officiating in Turkey and was handed a four-match ban – later reduced to two matches – for his comments about referees after the match against Galatasaray.
Erik Ten Hag
Dutch coach, Erik Ten Hag was dismissed by German Bundesliga giants Bayer 04 Leverkusen on September 1, 2025.
Per reports, the Dutchman was informed about the board’s decision to let him go on the morning of Monday, September 1, 2025.
The former Manchester United manager, who signed a two-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen on July 1, 2025, was shown the exit door after playing just two games in the ongoing Bundesliga season.
Ten Hag was sacked after failing to win any of his opening two games as the new Bayer Leverkusen manager.
He lost 2-1 in his first game to Hoffenheim and drew 3-3 with 10-man Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion on Saturday, August 30, 2025, despite going up twice in the game.
He was appointed as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who left to join Real Madrid in the summer.
SB/JE
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