Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United, Fulham, Hearts, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Birmingham City feature.
Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
Leicester City stunned the football world with their sacking of Claudio Ranieri last night, less than a year after winning the Premier League.
The decision will be judged on football terms by their fate of whether they can avoid relegation, but sentimentally it was a terrible way to treat the Italian.
Fortunately for Leicester, they are not alone.
There are many to choose from, but here is a look at seven other ruthless and questionable sackings…
Vicente del Bosque, Real Madrid
Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque
It is tough being a Real Madrid manager, as Vicente del Bosque discovered to his cost in 2003.
He had just won the La Liga title, and two years earlier won a La Liga and Champions League double.
Real took six years to find a suitable replacement in Jose Mourinho, with the likes of Carlos Queiroz, Rene Schuster, Jose Camacho and Vanderlei Luxembourgo all flopping at the Bernabeu.
Del Bosque meanwhile went on to become Spain’s greatest ever manager, winning two European Championships and one World Cup.
David O’Leary, Leeds United
David O’Leary at Leeds
Leeds United’s financial situation was the principle reason for their fall from the top tier of the English game, but sacking David O’Leary did not help.
The manager was sacked in 2002 after finishing fifth, just two years after leading the club to the Champions League semi-finals.
Five years later Leeds were in League One after two relegations, and they have been outside the top flight ever since 2004.
Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers
Sam Allardyce
Blackburn Rovers may not have played the most attractive football under Sam Allardyce, but be careful what you wish for.
Controversial owners the Venkys’ fired Allardyce with Blackburn sitting in 13th place and the manager having a proud record of never suffering relegation.
They appointed Steve Kean and were eventually relegated into the Championship, where they have been battling relegation ever since, and unlike Leeds, do not even look close to bouncing back.
Chris Hughton, Newcastle United
Brighton manager Chris Hughton before the match
Newcastle might have rallied after sacking Chris Hughton, but the very notion of it was lambasted and owner Mike Ashley faced a serious backlash.
Hughton had led Newcastle to promotion after their 2009 relegation and had them pushing for a top 10 place in the Premier League.
Ashley then bemusingly decided to fire Hughton, who is currently battling to get Brighton promoted to the top flight – competing with Newcastle for top spot in the Championship.
George Burley, Hearts
George Burley at Hearts
If one club briefly looked like having a chance of breaking the Rangers and Celtic dominance in the SPL then it was Hearts in 2005.
George Burley had the team performing well and competing at the top of the league, before an untimely fall out with owner Vladimir Romanov.
Hearts’ dream faded as quickly as it appeared, and they have never looked like competing for the title since.
Martin Jol/Rene Meulsensteen, Fulham
Former Fulham manager Martin Jol
Results were not great for Fulham in 2013 and he was losing the trust of fans, but they at least sat in 15th place when he was fired in November.
Rene Meulensteen took over and after an initial struggle, the Dutchman really seemed to be picking up steam and getting the squad to buy into his methods.
Owner Shad Khan had other ideas, ripping up the template and appointing Felix Magath.
It was an unmitigated disaster with the club plummeting into the Championship and flirting with relegation before the German was fired. Had they kept the experienced Jol or even Meulensteen their fate could have been very different.
Gary Rowett, Birmingham City
Former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett
Earlier this season Birmingham City made a decision which dumbfounded most observers.
Sitting on the edge of the play-offs, Birmingham fired Rowett, panicking after a big loss to Newcastle.
They appointed Gianfranco Zola who has won only one game since, and it says a lot about the job Rowett did beforehand that the Blues are not yet in the relegation zone.
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