Managerial sackings can be particularly controversial when a club dismisses a coach despite promotion, strong league form or clear progress on the pitch.
The Championship has seen several controversial managerial dismissals, including cases in which clubs parted ways with managers despite promotion, strong league positions or promising long-term projects.
Striver.Football breaks down 10 of the most shocking managerial sackings in Championship history.
(This list also includes managers who actually did oversee their sides earn promotion to the Premier League, but were still sacked weeks or months later).
10. Nigel Adkins - Southampton (January 2013)
The Context: Nigel Adkins achieved a rare managerial feat on the south coast, engineering back-to-back promotions that lifted Southampton from League One straight through the Championship and into the Premier League.
The Breaking Point: Southampton were 15th in the Premier League when executive chairman Nicola Cortese dismissed Adkins in January 2013, less than 48 hours after the team recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Chelsea.
The Aftermath: Cortese dismissed Adkins and appointed Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, with the club citing its long-term ambitions as the reason for the change.
While Pochettino ultimately built a stellar tactical foundation at St Mary's, the immediate sacking shocked a fanbase that viewed Adkins as the architect of their modern renaissance.
9. Slavisa Jokanovic - Watford (May 2015)
The Context: Slavisa Jokanovic orchestrated a brilliant, high-tempo tactical campaign to secure automatic promotion from the grueling Championship, steering Watford back into the promised land of the Premier League.
The Breaking Point: Contract negotiations broke down after promotion, with reports stating that Jokanović sought a substantial pay increase that the club was unwilling to meet.
The Aftermath: Watford moved on from Jokanović after the contract talks failed and appointed Quique Sanchez Flores ahead of their return to the Premier League.
8. Chris Hughton - Newcastle United (December 2010)
The Context: Chris Hughton stepped into a fractured, relegation-shocked Newcastle United side in 2009 and steadied the ship with immense dignity, ultimately guiding the club back to the Premier League as Championship winners with a staggering 102 points.
The Breaking Point: Despite Newcastle sitting 11th in the Premier League, four points clear of the relegation zone, owner Mike Ashley dismissed Hughton in December 2010.
The Aftermath: Newcastle's board said it believed a manager with more experience was needed, before appointing Alan Pardew.
The decision drew furious backlash from players and supporters alike who felt a loyal manager had been treated expendably.
7. Brian McDermott - Leeds United (January 2014)
The Context: Brian McDermott was trying to navigate Leeds United through a period of immense financial and administrative instability when a chaotic ownership shift unfolded behind the scenes.
The Breaking Point: On 31 January 2014, McDermott was told he had been dismissed during the uncertainty surrounding Massimo Cellino's proposed takeover, even though the deal had not yet received Football League approval.
The Aftermath: The episode triggered widespread confusion and criticism, and Leeds subsequently confirmed that McDermott would remain in charge.
6. Chris Wilder - Sheffield United (May 2025)
The Context: As a boyhood Blade and a legendary figure who had previously taken Sheffield United from League One to the upper echelons of the Premier League, Chris Wilder’s bond with Bramall Lane ran deep.
The Breaking Point: Wilder left Sheffield United in June 2025, after the club finished third in the Championship and lost the play-off final to Sunderland. Reports subsequently pointed to disagreements over recruitment and the club's preferred direction as factors in his departure.
He had also taken Sheffield all the way to the final of the 2024/2025 promotion playoffs at Wembley, but fell short to Sunderland.
The Aftermath: Wilder's departure surprised many supporters, particularly given his history with the club and the team's third-place finish before losing the play-off final.
5. Rob Edwards - Watford (September 2022)
The Context: Watford appointed Rob Edwards with grand public declarations of a long-term "cultural shift," asking supporters to back a young, progressive manager building a sustainable project.
The Breaking Point: Watford dismissed Edwards in September 2022 after 10 league matches, having won three, drawn five and lost two.
The Aftermath: Edwards joined Luton Town in November 2022 and led them to promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs in 2023.
4. David Wagner - Norwich City (May 2024)
The Context: David Wagner navigated Norwich City through a heavily turbulent Championship campaign, managing squad transitions and injuries to successfully secure a top-six finish and a spot in the play-offs.
The Breaking Point: Norwich dismissed Wagner less than 24 hours after a 4-0 second-leg defeat to Leeds United ended their play-off campaign.
The Aftermath: The dismissal highlighted Norwich's decision to change direction after a play-off exit, despite the team having secured a top-six finish.
3. Gary Rowett - Birmingham City (December 2016)
The Context: Gary Rowett had stabilised Birmingham City and guided them to seventh in the Championship when the club dismissed him in December 2016.
The Breaking Point: The decision came after a change in ownership, with the club opting to replace Rowett despite Birmingham's position in the upper half of the table.
The Aftermath: Rowett was sacked to make way for high-profile Italian icon Gianfranco Zola.
Zola's tenure proved unsuccessful, and Birmingham slid down the table before securing their Championship status on the final day of the season.
2. Liam Rosenior - Hull City (May 2024)
The Context: Liam Rosenior guided Hull City to seventh place in the 2023-24 Championship, missing the play-offs by three points after a late-season defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
Rosenior was one of three nominees for the Championship Manager of the Season award, which was won by Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna.
The Breaking Point: Hull dismissed Rosenior after the season, with the club's ownership seeking a different direction despite the team's seventh-place finish.
The Aftermath: The abrupt sacking baffled external observers and players alike, serving as a stark reminder that even Manager of the Season nominees enjoy zero protection against ambitious, restless owners.
1. John Eustace - Birmingham City (October 2023)
The Context: Standing as the ultimate benchmark for self-inflicted managerial disasters, John Eustace had Birmingham City playing disciplined, effective football, guiding them firmly into 6th place (the play-off positions) in the early autumn.
The Breaking Point: Fresh American ownership group Knighthead Capital, led by Tom Wagner, wanted a marquee name to signal their arrival, abruptly ruthlessly sacking Eustace to install former England star Wayne Rooney.
The Aftermath: The appointment backfired spectacularly. Rooney won just two of his 15 matches in charge, and Birmingham fell from sixth to 20th before he was dismissed. The club were ultimately relegated to League One at the end of the season.
