Top 10 Longest Serving Premier League Managers in 2024

Unlike players, who have a specific transfer window for moving clubs, managers do not have a designated period for switching teams. While they do sign contracts that usually last until the end of a season, they can be dismissed before the campaign concludes.

This situation is not uncommon and may become increasingly prevalent due to the significant financial implications tied to a club's performance. However, there are also instances where coaches opt to leave at the end of their contracts. For example, out of the 17 coaches who remained in the Premier League at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, four—Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, David Moyes, and Roberto De Zerbi—have since departed.

The start of the 2024/25 Premier League season has not been favorable for everyone, as evidenced by Erik ten Hag’s dismissal from Manchester United at the end of October following a series of disappointing results. With the Dutchman’s exit, who are now the longest-serving managers in the English top flight?

10. Andoni Iraola

From: 19th of June 2023

Although Andoni Iraola is currently at the helm of Bournemouth, his journey could have taken a different turn. While still managing Rayo Vallecano, he was approached by Leeds United but was not permitted to leave his position during the season. Instead, he had to wait until the end of the season and the conclusion of his contract before making a move.

Ultimately, it was Bournemouth that successfully persuaded him to join last summer. While a twelfth-place finish might be seen as a disappointment for some clubs, that's not the case for Bournemouth. With 48 points in the 2023/24 season, Iraola led the team to a record season, ensuring a comfortable stay in the Premier League.

9. Ange Postecoglou

From: 6th of June 2023

When Ange Postecoglou joined Tottenham in the summer of 2023, he had yet to gain experience at Europe's top level. Having spent the majority of his career in Australia, the Athens-born manager wasn't widely recognized, despite achieving notable success during his tenure at Glasgow Celtic from 2018 to 2023.

His approach, characterized by an emphasis on attacking football and a focus on developing young talent, saw Spurs rise to the top of the Premier League table by the eighth matchday of his first season. However, their ongoing inconsistency ultimately hindered their chances of qualifying for the Champions League in the 2024/25 season. This led Postecoglou to advocate for changes to steer the team in "a completely different direction."

8. Sean Dyche

From: 30th of January 2023

In contrast to Postecoglou, Sean Dyche boasts a wealth of Premier League experience. After taking the reins at Watford in 2011, the Kettering native moved to Burnley the following season, where he would spend an entire decade. During his time with the Clarets, Dyche experienced a rollercoaster of emotions.

He celebrated winning the Championship title in 2016 but also faced the disappointment of relegation to the second tier in 2022, accumulating countless stories along the way. After his dismissal following that setback, he joined Everton in January 2023. Dyche successfully managed to keep the Toffees in the Premier League on two occasions, overcoming significant challenges, including a six-point deduction in February 2024 and an additional two-point deduction in April.

7. Unai Emery

From: 1st of November 2022

After a mixed tenure on the Arsenal bench from May 2018 to November 2019 and a successful stint at Villarreal, Unai Emery took over as manager of Aston Villa in October 2022. At the time, the Villains were struggling in 16th place in the Premier League, but under Emery's guidance, they finished the 2022/23 season in 7th, earning him the Premier League Manager of the Season award.

In his second season at Villa Park, the former Paris Saint-Germain boss led the team to an impressive fourth-place finish, securing Champions League qualification for the first time since 1982/83, as well as a run to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League. These remarkable achievements have earned him a contract extension through 2029.

6. Kieran McKenna

From: 16th of December 2021

Although Kieran McKenna has yet to manage a match in the Premier League, he is poised to become one of the league's most impressive young coaches. This August, he will take the helm at Ipswich Town, the club that provided him with his managerial opportunity and where he has achieved remarkable success.

Before joining Ipswich, McKenna gained experience working with youth teams at Tottenham and Manchester United. However, it was with the Tractors Boys that he truly made his mark. Officially appointed as head coach in December 2021 while the club was still in League One, the London-born manager led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions, ending a 22-year absence from English football's top tier.

5. Eddie Howe

From: 8th of November 2021

Eddie Howe, a Bournemouth native, began his football journey at the Cherries, where he was both a player and later the manager. In his early seasons at the Vitality Stadium, he successfully guided the club back to League One but departed in 2011 when Bournemouth allowed him to join Burnley.

However, his time at Burnley was less successful, leading him to return to Bournemouth. From 2012 to 2020, Howe led his beloved club back to the Premier League and managed to maintain their status in the top flight. In 2021, he embarked on a new chapter at Newcastle United, where he has achieved remarkable success. Notably, during the 2022/2023 season, Howe's side finished fourth in the Premier League, securing a spot in the Champions League.

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4. Marco Silva

From: 1st of July 2021

Marco Silva began his managerial career in his native Portugal before moving to England, where he held positions at Hull City (2017), Watford (2017-2018), and Everton (2018-2019). He was appointed head coach of Fulham in July 2021, guiding the Cottagers to an immediate return to the Premier League after their relegation to the Championship the previous season.

In his first season at Craven Cottage, Silva achieved a commendable 10th-place finish, which attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, offers he ultimately declined. Although his second season was more challenging, resulting in a 13th-place finish, he successfully ensured the team’s safety in the Premier League.

3. Mikel Arteta

From: 22nd of December 2019

After gaining valuable experience as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Mikel Arteta was appointed Arsenal manager in December 2019, marking the beginning of his managerial career. The Gunners' management must be thrilled with their decision, as their unwavering faith in the Spaniard has proven to be well-founded.

In addition to winning the FA Cup in 2020 and the Community Shield in both 2020 and 2023, Arteta has played a pivotal role in restoring the club’s prominence in English football. Although he has yet to dethrone Manchester City, he has challenged them significantly in the past two seasons, finishing as runners-up in the Premier League both times.

2. Thomas Frank

From: 16th of October 2018

He may not be the first coach that comes to mind for this ranking, but here he is. Thomas Frank joined Brentford in 2016 from Danish club Brøndby, initially serving as an assistant until 2018, when he took the helm of the Bees.

From that point forward, the Scandinavian coach made a significant impact, guiding the team to promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2020/21 season. Beyond that, he established Brentford as a consistent presence in the top flight and a potential European contender, culminating in a commendable 9th place finish at the end of the 2022/23 season.

1. Pep Guardiola

From: 1st of July 2016

Pep Guardiola hardly needs an introduction. Widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in football history, the Catalan manager joined Manchester City in 2016 after triumphs at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. His arrival marked the beginning of an era of unprecedented dominance for City, who have clinched six of the last seven Premier League titles.

In domestic cups, the 53-year-old has continued to add to his silverware collection, winning two FA Cups (2019, 2023), four League Cups (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), and two Community Shields (2018, 2019). Most significantly, he led City to their first Champions League title in 2023, a historic achievement for the club. However, with his contract set to expire in June 2025, his departure at the end of next season is increasingly anticipated.