‎Top 8 EFL Championship managers that are most likely to be sacked

There has been no shortage of managerial changes in the EFL Championship this season, with several clubs already turning to new leadership in the dugout. In some cases, teams have even made multiple appointments as they search for the right direction.

The most recent casualty was Eric Ramsay, who was dismissed by West Bromwich Albion after overseeing just nine matches in all competitions. Earlier in the campaign, Ruben Selles became the first Championship manager to lose his job in 2025/26 following Sheffield United’s disastrous start to the season.

With a little over ten fixtures remaining before the end of another dramatic second-tier campaign, the pressure is beginning to build on a number of head coaches across the division. As clubs make their final push toward promotion, survival or play-off qualification, further changes on the touchline cannot be ruled out.

Football League World has therefore identified the eight Championship managers currently under the most scrutiny, ranking them from eighth place up to the individual most at risk.

Watford head coach Ed Still sits eighth in the list. The brother of Will Still has not been in charge at Vicarage Road for long, but the Hornets’ track record when it comes to managerial stability means no one ever feels completely secure in the role.

Still is the club’s 14th permanent manager since Javi Gracia first departed in September 2019, highlighting the constant turnover that has become synonymous with the Hertfordshire outfit.

Already Watford’s third boss this season, Still will need to stay in favour with the Pozo family and keep the team in the play-off mix if he hopes to remain in charge beyond the summer.

Paul Heckingbottom has overseen notable progress at Preston North End since taking the job in August 2024. After steering the Lilywhites clear of relegation last season, he has guided them into a much stronger league position this term.

However, Preston’s recent form has been disappointing, and the former Sheffield United boss will need to find solutions quickly to avoid his side sliding down the table.

Victories have been scarce in recent months, with two of those coming against bottom club Sheffield Wednesday, making a turnaround in results crucial for his long-term prospects at Deepdale.

Stoke City head coach Mark Robins finds himself in a similar situation. The Potters began the campaign strongly and appeared well placed to challenge for the play-offs, but their form has dipped significantly in recent months.

Injuries have played a role in their struggles, yet what initially looked like a promising season now risks ending in another mid-table or lower-half finish.

Robins is not considered the most immediate candidate for dismissal, but if Stoke fail to improve soon, chairman John Coates may feel a change is necessary in the club’s pursuit of a return to the Premier League.

Nathan Jones has overseen an impressive revival at Charlton Athletic, guiding the club from the lower reaches of League One to the Championship in under two years. His impact has been central to the Addicks’ resurgence after a period where they looked destined for further decline.

However, Charlton’s form during the second half of the season has been inconsistent, and they have not yet fully secured their Championship status. Jones would likely remain safe if he keeps the club in the division, but relegation could bring his tenure at The Valley into question.

Portsmouth face a similar scenario under John Mousinho. While Pompey currently hold a cushion over the relegation zone, the threat of the drop has lingered throughout the season.

Relegation would undo the significant progress made at Fratton Park in recent years and could ultimately cost the 39-year-old his position. Mousinho has done impressive work since taking charge, but maintaining results during the run-in will be essential if Portsmouth are to avoid trouble.

Queens Park Rangers have struggled to find sustained momentum this season. Although there have been moments of quality, the campaign as a whole has been underwhelming for the West London side. Julien Stephan arrived with the aim of steering the club closer to a Premier League return, yet inconsistency has prevented them from mounting a serious challenge.

With the play-off places now some distance away and relegation unlikely, the club’s hierarchy could consider making a change in the summer as they reassess their direction.

Birmingham City are another club facing heightened expectations. Less than a year after securing promotion from League One in record-breaking fashion, the Blues invested heavily in their squad with ambitions of pushing for another step forward.

Despite that spending, they are increasingly unlikely to break into the top six this season. As a result, pressure is mounting on Chris Davies, with ownership figure Tom Wagner potentially looking elsewhere if the club fall short of the play-offs.

Birmingham have not hesitated to part ways with managers under the current regime, having already dismissed both John Eustace and Wayne Rooney.

At the top of the list is Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen. The Owls have endured an extremely turbulent season, with administration, points deductions and relegation confirmed as early as February after defeat to fierce rivals Sheffield United. Pedersen faces the daunting task of helping rebuild the club following Dejphon Chansiri’s departure in October and the search for new ownership.

With Wednesday likely to finish the campaign on negative points and significant restructuring required at Hillsborough, it appears increasingly possible that a new ownership group would want to appoint their own manager to lead the club’s recovery.