The 2012/2013 Football season was less than three league games old when The Sack Race saw its first victims. Here you can keep track on the managers who don't make it through to May...
Tony Pulis, Stoke, mutual consent 21st May
After months of speculation it was confirmed on May 21 that Tony Pulis had left Stoke City by mutual consent. The long-standing manager had been in charge of the Potters for nearly seven years during which he had led, and successively kept, in the Premier League, finished runners-up in the FA Cup and guided through to the Europa League last 32.
Pulis took over at Stoke in June 2006 and won 120, drew 98 and lost 113 of his 333 games in charge. A poor 2013 ultimately cost him his job, with fans turning on him after a host of disappointing results. His style of play has frequently come under fire but he can leave with his head held high following a largely successive seven years at the helm.
David Moyes, Everton, out of contract 19th May
Manchester United acted swiftly by naming Everton's David Moyes as their new manager. The Scot was instantly installed as the hot favourite for the job and has now left Goodison Park after 11 years at the helm.
During his time at the Merseyside club Moyes may not have won a trophy but he managed to consistently guide them to a top 8 finish on a limited budget. He also led them through to the qualifying stages of the Champions League in 2005, where they lost to eventual semi-finalists Villarreal. His final game in charge was an entertaining 2-1 defeat away to Chelsea.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, resigned 19th May
Sir Alex Ferguson drew the curtains on his simply staggering career at Manchester United. Earlier in May the legendary manager revealed he would be retiring at the end of the season, with his final game a 5-5 thriller away to West Brom on May 19.
Ferguson ended his managerial career with a whopping 38 trophies at Old Trafford, including 13 Premier League titles, two Premier League trophies and four FA Cups. He successfully regained the Premier League title this season after losing it to fierce local rivals Man City in dramatic fashion in 2011/12. He ended his tenure having managed 1500 United games.
Roberto Mancini, Manchester City, sacked 14th May
Manchester City sacked manager Roberto Mancini in the aftermath of their shock FA Cup Final defeat to Wigan. The loss mean that City had failed to win any silverware during the 2012/13 campaign and had only achieved one pre-season goal: qualifying for the Champions League.
The Italian took charge of the club in 2009 and in his first full season in charge led them to glory in the FA Cup, which was their first major title for 35 years years. The following season they won the Premier League in dramatic style by coming from behind to beat QPR 3-2. However, this season they failed to retain their title and once again were unable to make waves in the Champions League.
John Hughes, Hartlepool, sacked 9th May
Hughes along with reserve team coach Micky Barron part ways with the Victoria Park club following the sides relegation to League Two. The Pools were 10 points away from safety at the end of the season on 41 points and a negative goal difference of 28 (exactly the same as also relegated Bury), ending their six year run in the third tier of the Football League.
Hughes came to the side in November 2012 following the departure of Neale Cooper who has resigned from the club in October 2012 following a disastrous run of 12 games without a win.
Kenny Jackett - Millwall, resigned 7th May
Kenny Jackett decided to leave Millwall after six seasons in charge of the south London club. Jackett, who was the longest serving Championship manager, is eager for a new challenge and will no doubt be back in the management arena.
Millwall ended the 2012/13 season poorly and only just managed to avoid relegation despite losing on the final day of the campaign. However, they did conjure up an impressive run to the FA Cup semi-finals. In total Jackett won 103 of his 307 games in charge.
Dean Saunders - Wolves, sacked 7th May
Dean Saunders was sacked by Wolves following their relegation from the Championship. The former Doncaster Rovers manager only took up the job in January, after Stale Solbakken was axed, but now leaves Molineux with a record of just five wins from his 20 games in charge.
The Midlands club, who have now suffered back-to-back relegations, meekley surrendered their Championship status after losing five of their final six games of the season. They will now search for their fourth manager since Mick McCarthy's departure in February 2012.
Brian Flynn, Doncaster Rovers, moved to boardroom 3rd May
In what may come as surprise decision Brian Flynn the manager of League One Champions Doncaster Rovers expressed a desire to get back to what he loved doing, the development and recruitment of players. The club have now offered him the role of director of football within the club and he will have a hand in arranging his successor.
Flynn who had two spells as a player with the side took on the role as manager in January after Dean Saunders left to join Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Martin Ling - Torquay United, sacked 28th April
Martin Ling took control of Torquay in June 2011 following the exit of manager Paul Buckle left to join Bristol Rovers. However he has been absent from his post since January of this year with a stress related illness with Alan Knill placed in interim charge of the League Two team.
His dismissal according to Torquay chairwoman Thea Bristow is based purely on results with the side being relegation contenders this season, ending the season in 19th place with 53 points, just two points clear of relegated Barnet.
Danny Wilson - Sheffield United, sacked 11th April
With just five games left to until the end of the season League One side United have parted ways with manager Danny Wilson along with assistant manager Frank Barlow.
With the Blades lying in fifth place in the League promotion to the Championship is still achievable by automatic promotion but the play-offs are a more realistic option for the club.
First team coach Chris Morgan has been placed in charge at Bramall Lane until the end of the season.
Neil Warnock - Leeds United, parted ways 1st April
Neil Warnock became the first departure of April after he parted ways with Leeds United. The 64-year-old had previously said that he would leave the club if he failed to lead them to promotion up to the top-flight. Leeds' 2-1 defeat to Derby, their third in a row, on Easter Monday proved to be the final straw as it effectively ended their play-off chances.
Warnock succeeded the sacked Simon Grayson back in February 2012, with the club finishing 14th in the table, 14 points adrift of the play-offs. Leeds' were expected to push on this season but they have struggled for consistency and their quest for a return to the Premier League now appears to be prolonged.
Martin O'Neill - Sunderland, sacked 31st March
Following a poor run of results, which culminated with a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United has resulted in Sunderland sacking manager Martin O'Neill. The defeat left the Black Cats just one point above the relegation zone.
The timing of the sacking has come as a shock with only seven games left in the season although it was thought that if results were not improved during this time frame that there would be a new manager at the Stadium of Light come the Summer.
Paul Sturrock - Southend United, sacked 24th March
Southend United sacked Paul Sturrock following a inconsistent run of form, with the League Two side picking up just wins from their last 10 games. The club's dip in form had seen them drop six points adrift of the play-offs with seven games remaining. In total Sturrock won 67 of his 161 in charge.
However, in a truly bizarre scenario Sturrock is set to return to the dugout for the Shrimpers’ Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Crewe Alexandra on April 7, despite the club appointing Phil Brown as their new boss.
Gary Smith - Stevenage, sacked 20th March
Gary Smith became the 16th League One manager to lose his job after Stevenage terminated his contract. The Boro enjoyed a bright start to the season but since mid-December they have struggled, losing 14 of their last 18 matches. The torrid run has effectively ended their chances of securing a play-off spot, with the club nearer the drop zone at the time of the sacking.
Smith took charge of the club back in January 2012 and led them into the League One play-offs on the final day of the season. However, they lost out to Sheffield United in the semi-finals.
Michael Appleton - Blackburn Rovers, sacked 19th March
The turmoil at Blackburn Rovers continued as the controversial owners sacked their third manager of the season. Michael Appleton had only been in charge for 67 days but his failure to inspire a win in his final eight matches angered Venky's who ruthlessly axed him.
Appleton was appointed in January following the sacking of Henning Berg, who lasted just 57 days. The former Portsmouth and Blackpool boss was remarkably the club's fifth manager (third permanent) of the season. In total Appleton won just four of his 15 games, with his final match in charge a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
Brian McDermott - Reading, sacked 11th March
McDermott's exit from Reading came following his sides fourth successive defeat in the League, however his sacking was somewhat of a surprise considering that his odds to be the next premier league manager to be sacked were around the 20/1 mark at the time.
McDermott took over the reigns of Reading in 2009 following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers. In his first year in charge he took them to the play-off finals but lost to 4-2 to Swansea City. He succeeded in his second attempt but after gaining promotion they are currently sitting in the relegation zone in 19th place with 23 points from 29 games.
Gary Mills - York City, sacked 2nd March
Gary Mills became the first casualty in March when he was sacked just four days into the month. The Minstermen's 2-0 defeat at home to Bradford City was the final straw, with the club's winless run extended to 11 matches.
Mills took charge of York in October 2010 and went on to lead the club to promotion up to the Football League last season. In total he won 58 of his 136 games in charge at Bootham Crescent.
John Still - Dagenham & Redbridge, resigned 26th February
John Still became the second League Two manager to depart in February after he left Dagenham & Redbridge to join Conference National side Luton Town. Still had been the fourth longest standing manager in England having returned to Victoria Road in 2004. However, he has opted to leave the east Londoners for a new challenge, with the experienced gaffer now tasked with leading Luton into the Football League.
In his second spell as the Daggers Still took charge of a whopping 454 matches. His major accomplishments include leading the club into the Football League and then winning promotion to League One via the play-offs.
Dean Holdsworth - Aldershot Town, sacked 20th February
Dean Holdsworth became the 38th Football League manager of the season to depart following his sacking from Aldershot Town. With the club struggling just above the relegation zone they decided that now was the right time to make a change despite Holdsworth leading the Shots to a hard fought win over Torquay just a day earlier.
Holdsworth took charge of the Hampshire club back in January 2011 and guided them a 14th place finish at the end of the season. Last year he led them to an impressive top-half finish but unfortunately this campaign has been a different story, with the club languishing towards the bottom of the table.
Paolo Di Canio - Swindon Town, resigned 18th February
Paolo Di Canio shocked Swindon Town fans by deciding to call time on his 21 months at the club, despite the Robins. The colourful manager cited "broken promises" main reason for departing the County Ground.
The Italian took charge of Swindon in May 2011 and led them to the League One title in his first season in charge. The Robins' momentum continued into the new season and a number of impressive performances meant they were in contention for promotion to the Championship. Di Canio leaves the club sixth in the table and just three points off top spot.
Mark Robins - Coventry City, resigned 14th February
It turned out to be a depressing Valentine's Day for everyone associated with Convetry City as after days of speculation it was confirmed that Mark Robins had departed to take charge of Championship side Huddersfield Town. The opportunity to step up a league proved too tempting to turn down for Robins, who leaves Coventry 8th in League One and eight points outside the play-offs.
Such was the impact that Robins made at the club the news will no doubt break the hearts of Coventry fans. During his five months in the dugout he won an impressive 17 of his 33 games, leading them from relegation strugglers to promotion contenders.
Graham Westley - Preston, sacked 13th February
Graham Westley was sacked as manager of Preston North End following a poor string of results. Preston's miserable 3-1 defeat to Yeovil was their third on the spin and with only one win from his last 14 games he was sent packing.
Westley took charge of the Lilywhites in January 2012 and in the end just 16 of his 62 games at the helm. He has come under pressure all season due to a number of disappointing results combined with his controversial approach to management.
Alex McLeish - Nottingham Forest, mutual consent 5th February
Just five days in to the month, Alex McLeish became the third managerial casualty of February when he and his employer, Nottingham Forest, parted company via "mutual consent" after just 39 days in charge at the City Ground! That was enough time for the former Birmingham City and Aston Villa boss to take charge of seven matches, which the side duly one just one! A record of P7 W1 D2 L4 was clearly enough for the club's Kuwaiti owners to take action before it was too late. The decision leaves McLeish with a mountain to climb in terms of rebuilding his reputation and he may have to drop to management in the lower leagues or return north of the border.
Keith Curle - Notts County, sacked Sunday 3rd February
The 3rd February was a bad day for League One managers, with Keith Curle joining Paul Dickov on the unemployed list. Curle was shown the exit door by Notts County following a 2-1 defeat to the league's basement club Hartlepool. The loss left the Magpies in 10th spot and five points off the play-offs
Curle leaves the club after a year in charge in which he won 23 of his 51 matches. Two wins in 11 league and cup matches is simply not promotion form, with the club's chairman, Ray Trew, stating that the decision was as much of a business one as a footballing one due to the decline in attendances at Meadow Lane.
Paul Dickov - Oldham Athletic, resigned Sunday 3rd February
Paul Dickov resigned from his post at Oldham on the 3rd February despite leading the Magpies to a shock FA Cup win over Liverpool just a week later. The 40-year-old had been under pressure after the club's chairman, Simon Corney, stated that his job was not safe due to their torrid form in League One.
In total Dickov spent two-and-a-half years at Boundary Park, winning 43 of his 141 games in charge. He departs with the club just one point and once place above the relegation zone following a woeful run of eight defeats from nine league games.
Peter Houston - Dundee United, mutual consent 28th January
Peter Houston departed Dundee United by mutual consent as he became the first SPL casualty of the season. The 54-year-old's contract was due to expire at the end of the season but both parties decided that this was the right time to part ways.
In total Houston won 63 of his 148 games in charge, with his final game in charge a 1-1 draw at home to Ross County. His most memorable moment came in 2010 when he led the Taysiders to glory in the 2010 Scottish Cup. He also guided them to qualification to the Europa League on three consecutive occasions.
Simon Grayson - Huddersfield Town, sacked 24th Janauary
After only being in charge of The Terriers since February last year Simon Grayson has become the sixth manager sacked in 2013.
He started off well for Yorkshire club taking them out of League One and into the Championship.However a poor run of form since November last year has seen Huddersfield fail to win in any of their last 12 matches and after his last game in charge the side were sitting in 18th place in the Championship with 33 points from 28 games.
John Coleman - Rochdale, sacked 21st January
John Coleman lost his job at Rochdale following a run of three consecutive defeats. The League Two club had slipped to 14th in the table and the owners decided a change was needed in order to move forward and get back into the top half.
Coleman lasted just 12 months at Spotland, winning only 14 of his 52 matches in charge. He was unable to prevent the club from suffering relegation from League One last season after they finished rock-bottom.
Nigel Adkins - Southampton, sacked 18th January
Arguably the harshest sacking of the season so far came at St Mary's where Southampton ruthlessly axed their popular manager Nigel Adkins. The shock sacking came out of the blue, with the Saints currently on a five game unbeaten run, which has seen them move up to 15th in the league.
In total Adkins spent just over 28 months in charge of the south coast side, leading them to consecutive promotions from League One up to the Premier League. He endured a difficult opening period this season, with the Saints losing eight of their first 10 games. However, he went back to the drawing board and went on to inspire a turnaround in results which saw the Saints moved clear of the relegation zone and up to 15th - their highest position so far.
Michael Appleton - Blackpool, resigned 11th January
Michael Appleton controversially moved from Blackpool to Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers just two months after taking charge of the Seasiders. The former Pompey boss was in the dugout for just 12 matches, in which he won only two.
Appleton is believed to have grown frustrated over the lack of transfer funds that were made available to him. Furthermore he was getting increasingly worried about the possibility of his star players to top flight clubs.
Derek McInnes - Bristol City, sacked 12th January
Yet another Championship manager fell victim to the Sack Race after struggling Bristol City decided to axe manager Derek McInnes following a 4-0 hammering at home to Leicester City. The defeat was City's third in a row and left them rock-bottom of the table and six points adrift of safety.
Since taking over the Robins in October 2011 they managed to win just 17 of his 63 games in charge. Following a reasonable start to the season City went on to suffer a club record-equalling seven-game losing streak back in October/November, which they have never really recovered from.
Dean Saunders - Doncaster Rovers, resigned 7th January
Dean Saunders made the move up from League One to the Championship on the 7th January after switching Doncaster Rovers for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 48-year-old left Rovers flying high in second in the table and will now be tasked with changing the fortunes of struggling Wolves.
Saunders took charge of Rovers back in September 2011 following the departure of Sean O'Driscoll. He was unable to save them from relegation down the League One at the end of the season but to his credit he got the team playing again at the start of the current campaign and leaves them in an automatic promotion place.
Stale Solbakken - Wolverhampton Wanderers, sacked 5th January
Stale Solbakken remarkably became the fourth Championship manager to be sacked since Christmas following a shock defeat to Luton Town in the FA Cup. The writing had been on the wall for the Norwegian following a run of three consecutive league losses, which has left the Midlands club struggling down in 18th.
The board decided a change was needed if Wolves were to have any chance of realising their play-off ambitions. Solbakken departs Molineux with a record of just 10 wins from his 30 matches in charge.
Carl Fletcher - Plymouth Argyle, sacked 1st January
Plymouth boss Carl Fletcher was sacked on New Year's Day after a 2-1 loss to Bristol Rovers. Fletcher was dismissed just moments after the final whistle as the League Two club opted to change things up in order to boost their chances of avoiding relegation down to the Conference.
Fletcher joined the Pilgrims as a player in 2009. In September 2011 he was appointed caretaker player-manager of the club following the departure of Peter Reid, before taking over permanently in November of that year. In total the 32-year-old won 17, drew 27 and lost 26 of his 70 matches in charge as player-manager and then manager.
Keith Hill - Barnsley, sacked 29th December
Keith Hill became the final sacking of 2012 after Barnsley sent him packing on 29th December following a 3-1 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers. Hill departs the Championship club after just 19 months at the helm, leaving them rock-bottom of the table.
In total he was in charge of the Tykes for 75 matches, winning just 19. He oversaw just five wins this season, losing an unacceptable seven at home. The club are now searching for their fourth manager in three-and-a-half years.
Henning Berg - Blackburn Rovers, sacked 27th December
Henning Berg became the second managerial casualty in as many days when he was surprisingly sacked from Championship side Blackburn Rovers after just 10 games and 57 days in charge at Ewood Park. He leaves the side lying 17th in the table with 29 points from 23 games.
The Norwegian had been brought in by owners Venkys who had sacked the sides previous manager Steve Kean.
Berg had only managed to secure one victory during his tenure failing to even manage a clean sheet during these games.
Sean O'Driscoll - Nottingham Forest, sacked 26th December
Forest Chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi was surprisingly not full of Christmas cheer when he sacked Forest manager Sean O'Driscoll following the sides 4-2 win over Leeds United leapfrogging them in the Championship table taking the side up to eighth place in the table.
O'Driscoll had only been with the side for five months after leaving his post as manager of Crawley Town. The sacking has come as a shock to Forest fans who since O'Driscoll's appointment by the new owners had hoped to see some stability and continuity at the City Ground.
Mark McGhee - Bristol Rovers, sacked 15th December 2012
For a while it looked as if Micky Mellon would be Decembers only entrant into the managerial merry-go-round but after a series of poor results Mark McGhee joined him after his side suffered their third successive defeat taking their tally to six games without a win leaves the Pirates 23rd in League Two with just 18 points from 22 games.
McGhee has spent last than a year with side joining them in January 2012 as the successor to Paul Buckle in January. During his time in charge he took Rovers to 13th position last season.
Micky Mellon - Fleetwood Town, sacked 1st December
Micky Mellon became December's first victim after Fleetwood Town surprisingly sacked him following their FA Cup second round defeat to Aldershot. It may have been the League Two sides third defeat on the run but the decision came as a shock considering the Cod Army were still in a play-off position.
Mellon led Fleetwood to two promotions during his four years in charge, with the Lancashire side winning the Blue Square Bet Premier title last season. However, despite leading them to a decent start to life in League Two he was ruthlessly dismissed.
Mark Hughes - QPR, sacked 23rd November
Mark Hughes became the second top flight casualty - just two days after Roberto Di Matteo was sent packing - after he was sacked by QPR. The Welshman had been under immense scrutiny and pressure following the club's torrid start to the season and was eventually booted out.
Hughes left QPR rooted to the bottom of the table with a measly tally of just four points from 12 games. Just a couple of weeks earlier he had received the dreaded vote of confidence from owner Tony Fernandes...which meant the writing was always on the wall.
Roberto Di Matteo - Chelsea, sacked 21st November
Roberto Di Matteo became the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season after he was sacked by Chelsea. Despite a run of poor results the decision was still a surprising one as the popular Italian had only recently led the club to a Champions League and FA Cup double.
Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to Juventus in Europe proved to be the final straw for owner Roman Abramovich as it left the club's Champions League title defence hanging in the balance. The result came after a string of disappointing performances in the league, with the Blues failing to win any of their last four top flight games.
Michael Appleton - Portsmouth, resigned 7th November
After months of speculation where he was linked with a number of Championship side's Michael Appleton finally departed League One side Portsmouth, with Blackpool his chosen destination. Appleton signed a rolling one-year contract with the Seasiders and will now be tasked with pushing them up the table and back into the play-offs.
Appleton left his post as West Brom coach to take charge of struggling Pompey back in November 2011. The club's well publicised financial problems hampered his chances of keeping them in the Championship as they were relegated at the end of the season. During the summer he lost his whole squad, and considering the difficult circumstances, managed to get them off to a reasonable start to the current campaign.
Ian Holloway - Blackpool, resigned 3rd November
Ian Holloway became the first manager to leave his post in the month of November. The charismatic boss switched Blackpool for Crystal Palace after signing a four-and-half-year deal with the London club.
Holloway spent three years at Bloomfield Road, leading the Seasiders up to the Premier League in 2010. They were relegated the following campaign and went on to experience play-off heartache last season.
Alan Knill - Scunthorpe United, sacked 29th October
Alan Knill became the eighth Football League manager to lose his job in the dreaded month of October after he was sacked by Scunthorpe United. The writing was on the wall for Knill following a poor start to the campaign, whereby the League One side won just two of their 15 matches.
Knill took charge of the Iron in March 2011 but suffered relegation from the Championship at the end of the season. The 2011/12 campaign was one to forget, with Scunthorpe finishing down in 18th, just three places above the relegation zone.
Paul Cook - Accrington Stanley, resigned 25th October
Paul Cook departed Accrington Stanley to take up the managerial vacancy at fellow League Two side Chesterfield after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. The clubs agreed on a compensation package and Cook has now replaced the sacked John Sheridan as manager at the Proact Stadium.
Cook was only appointed Stanley manager in February 2012 and last season led them to a 14th place finish. He leaves the Lancashire club in 16th position, just one point behind new club Chesterfield.
Neale Cooper - Hartlepool United, resigned 24th October
Cooper resigned as manager of Hartlepool United after the club's agonising defeat to fellow strugglers Bury. The loss extended Pools winless run to 11 games as they slumped to the bottom of League One.
It was Cooper's second spell in charge of the club, having previously managed them between 2003 and 2005, leading them into the play-offs twice. However, he endured a miserable time on his return, winning just seven of 39 matches at the helm.
Paul Jewell - Ipswich Town, mutual consent 24th October
Paul Jewell left Ipswich by mutual consent on 24th October following a torrid couple of months. The Tractor Boys had fallen to the bottom of the Championship after their miserable last-gasp defeat at home to Derby, which had extended their winless run to 10 matches.
Jewell took charge of the Suffolk club at the beginning of 2011 and has been under pressure for most of his 21 months in charge. He guided them to a 13th place finish at the end of the 2010/11 season, which was followed by 15th last season. The current campaign started brightly, with Ipswich taking four points from their opening two games, but a change was ultimately needed after a shocking run of results.
Dougie Freedman - Crystal Palace, resigned 23rd October
Dougie Freedman left Crystal Palace after the south London club granted him permission to speak to fellow Championship side Bolton Wanderers. Freedman had been installed as the hot favourite to replace the sacked Owen Coyle and decided that the time was right to move on from the club he had managed since the start of 2011.
Freedman saved Palace from relegation at the end of both the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons. He started attracting attention from other clubs in October following the Eagles' superb start to the current campaign. He has ambitions of managing in the top flight and believes that he can achieve that goal with Bolton.
Eddie Howe - Burnley, resigned 12th October
Eddie Howe found the lure of the south coast too strong after opting to return to former club AFC Bournemouth. Howe managed the Cherries for two years and led them to League One in 2009, before leaving to take charge of Championship side Burnley in 2011.
The Clarets were desperate to hold onto their manager but in the end they reluctantly agreed a deal with League One side Bournemouth. The 34-year-old leaves the Lancashire club 16th in the table with 11 points from their opening 10 games.
Owen Coyle - Bolton, sacked 9th October
Coyle became October's second manager to lose his job after Bolton sacked him on October 9th. The Scot's future had been in doubt following a meeting with Bolton's owner and chairman on the Monday, with the duo deciding a fresh approach was needed in order to get the club's promotion hopes back on track.
Coyle leaves Bolton languishing down in 18th in the Championship table. The club lost five of their opening 10 league games and in particular suffered on the road, with four defeats in five away matches.
Paul Groves - Bournemouth, sacked 3rd October
Bournemouth parted ways with under-fire manager Paul Groves following a string of poor results. The manager leaves the club today along with assistant Shaun Brooks.
The Cherries had won only one of their 10 opening League One matches of the season and are currently 20th in League One. As a result the club had no choice but to give him the sack. Groves was only appointed on a permanent basis back in May and will no doubt be disappointed with how things turned out.
Steve Kean - Blackburn Rovers, resigned 29th September
One of the longest on-going manager sagas finally came to an end on September 29th when Steve Kean resigned as manager of Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The Scot had been under immense pressure from the moment he replaced Sam Allardyce at the helm in December 2010. During his time in charge he was subject to a plethora of protests from supporters due to poor results on the pitch. In the end Kean released a statement revealing that he was forced to resign as his position has become untenable.
John Ward - Colchester United, sacked 24th September
John Ward lost his job following a dire start to the 2012/13 season. Colchester United had failed to win any of their opening eight matches in League One with the side only picking up just four points in the process. He made several changes pre season to the squad losing key names such as Ben Williams and Steven Gillespie.
Ward took charge of the U's in May 2010 and led them to back-to-back 10th place finishes. In total he won 33 of his 111 games at the helm, lost 39 and managed to draw the remaining 39.
Gary Waddock - Wycombe Wanderers, sacked 22nd September
Gary Waddock was given the boot following a poor start to the new campaign. Wycombe suffered relegation down to League Two last season and after picking up just four points from their opening seven matches this term, the board decided to wield the axe.
Waddock had been in charge of the Chairboys since October 2009 and during his time at the club led them to promotion to League One at the end of the 2010/11 season.
Terry Brown - AFC Wimbledon, sacked 19th September
Terry Brown had been with AFC Wimbledon for 5 years; taking the club up from the Ryman League to the Football League as the club gained 3 promotions in just 5 years.
His final game in charge saw his side lose 1-0 at home against Torquay United due to a fluke goal. The result leaves the team languishing near the bottom of League Two. He gave the fans an emotional farewell on the pitch before leaving. Initial reports indicated that he had handed in his resignation but he was eventually sacked along with Stuart Cash the following morning.
Andy Thorn - Coventry City, sacked 26th August
Thorn was sacked after just three league games in to the new season. Three draws from three games in League One and a win in the Capital One Cup was seemingly not enough for the Sky Blues board who had been relegated from the Championship back in May.
John Sheridan - Chesterfield, sacked 28th August
Following relegation from League One last season, Chesterfield were one of the pre-season favourites to win promotion from the bottom tier and having guided the Spireites to promotion in 2011, Sheridan was considered the man to do so again in 2013. However, two points from the side's first three league games and defeat in the Carling Cup was enough for the board to part company with the former Republic of Ireland international.
