As the 2025-26 EFL League One season approaches November, the managerial merry-go-round is already in full swing.
With several sackings in recent weeks including Noel Hunt at Reading on October 26, the Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson on October 25th, also changes at Blackpool and Luton the pressure is mounting on underperforming managers.
Drawing from current league standings, managerial tenures, recent form, and available reports on boardroom sentiment, we’ve ranked all 24 managers from those most likely to face the axe next to the most secure.
Factors like team position, goal difference, points per game, and any “votes of confidence” or media buzz play a key role. New appointees often get a grace period, even at struggling clubs, while longer-serving managers at lower-table teams bear the brunt.
League One Managers Ranked By Job Security
1. Tom Cleverley (Plymouth Argyle) – Most at Risk
- Position: 22nd (14 played, 13 points, GD -8).
- Tenure: 4 months (appointed June 13, 2025).
Plymouth, recently relegated from the Championship, are in freefall with just four wins all season and a leaky defense. Cleverley, the former Manchester United midfielder, has received the infamous “vote of confidence” from the board, which often signals impending doom in football circles.
His side’s poor form, has fans restless. If results don’t turn soon, he could be next out the door.
2. Darren Moore (Port Vale) – High Risk
- Position: 21st (14 played, 13 points, GD -4).
- Tenure: 1 year, 8 months.
Moore has the longest tenure among bottom-six managers, but Port Vale’s dismal start—three wins and a string of draws, has them hovering above the drop zone on goal difference alone.
As a club expecting mid-table stability, the lack of progress could see the board act if they slip further.
3. Gary Bowyer (Burton Albion) – High Risk
- Position: 20th (13 played, 15 points, GD -5).
- Tenure: 10 months.
Burton are winless in recent outings, with Bowyer’s side struggling for goals (just 11 scored). His mid-season appointment last year brought initial hope, but a slide into the bottom five has amplified calls for change. A poor November could seal his fate.
4. Gary Caldwell (Exeter City) – Moderate-High Risk
- Position: 18th (14 played, 16 points, GD 0).
- Tenure: 3 years.
Caldwell’s long stint has seen ups and downs, but Exeter’s current form, five losses in eight, has them teetering near relegation. As one of the division’s longer-serving bosses, expectations for improvement are high, and patience may be wearing thin.
5. Kevin Nolan (Northampton Town) – Moderate Risk
- Position: 16th (14 played, 17 points, GD -3).
- Tenure: 10 months.
Northampton have been inconsistent, with a poor goal-scoring record (10 goals). Nolan’s experience as a player hasn’t fully translated, and a continued mid-lower table scrap could prompt a rethink if play-off hopes fade entirely.
6. Michael Duff (Wycombe Wanderers) – Moderate Risk
- Position: 17th (14 played, 16 points, GD +2).
- Tenure: 1 month (appointed September 18, 2025).
Duff’s recent arrival hasn’t yielded instant results, with Wycombe winning just once since his takeover. The positive GD suggests potential, but early pressure is building if they don’t climb away from danger.
7. Matt Hamshaw (Rotherham United) – Moderate Risk
- Position: 15th (13 played, 17 points, GD -3).
- Tenure: 6 months.
Relegated Rotherham expected a promotion push, but mid-table mediocrity has fans frustrated. Hamshaw’s interim feel lingers, and a lack of firepower (13 goals) could see the board seek a more experienced hand.
8. Richie Wellens (Leyton Orient) – Low-Moderate Risk
- Position: 14th (14 played, 17 points, GD -2).
- Tenure: 3 years, 7 months.
Wellens has credit from past successes, but Orient’s leaky defense (23 conceded) and inconsistent results have them underachieving. If they drop further, questions could arise despite his longevity.
9. Ryan Lowe (Wigan Athletic) – Low Risk
- Position: 13th (14 played, 17 points, GD -1).
- Tenure: 7 months.
Wigan are steady but unspectacular, with Lowe’s pragmatic style yielding draws but few thrills. Safe for now, but a slide could change that, especially with the club’s history of financial woes influencing decisions.
10. Grant McCann (Doncaster Rovers) – Low Risk
- Position: 12th (14 played, 18 points, GD -6).
- Tenure: 2 years, 5 months.
Doncaster’s mid-table position masks a poor GD, but McCann’s experience keeps him insulated. Recent draws suggest stability, though play-off ambitions might demand more.
11. Conor Hourihane (Barnsley) – Low Risk
- Position: 11th (12 played, 18 points, GD +1).
- Tenure: 6 months.
Barnsley, perennial promotion hopefuls, are underperforming slightly. Hourihane’s manager role adds intrigue, but positive GD and fewer games played offer hope. Still, results need to improve.
12. Jack Wilshere (Luton Town) – Low Risk
- Position: 10th (13 played, 19 points, GD 0).
- Tenure: 19 days (appointed October 13, 2025).
The Arsenal legend’s honeymoon period is ongoing, but an upcoming FA Cup tie against lower-league opposition has been flagged as a pressure point.
Luton’s mid-table spot buys time, but the relegated side’s fans expect a quick return to form.
13. Lee Grant (Huddersfield Town) – Safe
- Position: 9th (13 played, 19 points, GD 0).
- Tenure: 5 months (appointed May 28, 2025).
Another relegated outfit, Huddersfield are in the mix for play-offs. Grant’s steady hand has them competitive, reducing any immediate threat.
14. Steven Schumacher (Bolton Wanderers) – Safe
- Position: 7th (14 played, 23 points, GD +4).
- Tenure: 9 months.
Bolton’s strong form (unbeaten in five) and play-off position make Schumacher untouchable for now.
15. Johnnie Jackson (AFC Wimbledon) – Safe
- Position: 6th (14 played, 25 points, GD +4).
- Tenure: 3 years, 5 months.
Wimbledon’s surprise package, Jackson’s side are flying high with solid defense. No concerns here.
16. Michael Skubala (Lincoln City) – Safe
- Position: 5th (14 played, 25 points, GD +7).
- Tenure: 1 year, 11 months.
Lincoln’s consistent performers, Skubala’s tactical acumen has them in automatic promotion contention.
17. Alex Revell (Stevenage) – Safe
- Position: 4th (12 played, 26 points, GD +8).
- Tenure: 1 year, 5 months.
Stevenage’s impressive points haul from fewer games screams security for Revell.
18. Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff City) – Safe
- Position: 3rd (13 played, 26 points, GD +10).
- Tenure: 4 months (appointed June 16, 2025).
Cardiff’s strong start under Barry-Murphy has them chasing the leaders. Buzz is positive.
19. Graham Alexander (Bradford City) – Very Safe
- Position: 2nd (14 played, 27 points, GD +7).
- Tenure: 1 year, 11 months.
Bradford’s unbeaten run and high-scoring attack make Alexander a fan favorite.
20. Nigel Clough (Mansfield Town) – Very Safe
- Position: 8th (14 played, 22 points, GD +6).
- Tenure: 4 years, 11 months.
Clough’s veteran status and Mansfield’s solid play-off push afford him plenty of leeway.
21. Dave Challinor (Stockport County) – Very Safe
- Position: 1st (14 played, 28 points, GD +8).
- Tenure: 3 years, 11 months.
League One is currently led by Stockport County, who also boast the best defense in the division. Therefore, Challinor’s project is thriving and his position is very safe.
22. Ian Evatt (Blackpool) – Safest (New Appointment)
- Position: 23rd (14 played, 12 points, GD -9).
- Tenure: 11 days (appointed October 21, 2025).
Blackpool are in trouble, but Evatt’s fresh start buys him time to implement changes.
23. Leam Richardson (Reading) – Safest (New Appointment)
- Position: 19th (14 played, 15 points, GD -4).
- Tenure: 4 days (appointed October 28, 2025).
Reading’s recent chaos led to Hunt’s exit, but Richardson gets a clean slate despite the low position.
24. Luke Williams (Peterborough United) – Safest (New Appointment)
- Position: 24th (13 played, 10 points, GD -12).
- Tenure: 3 days (appointed October 29, 2025).
Bottom of the pile, but Williams inherits a mess and will be given rope to turn it around. This ranking is fluid, football’s unforgiving nature means one bad weekend can shift everything.
With the FA Cup looming and November fixtures piling up, expect more twists in the EFL League One managerial saga.
