Liverpool sacked Arne Slot after what was a disastrous season for the club, and thus he has now joined the unfortunate list of Dutch managers who have been sacked in the Premier League.
The decision to part ways with Arne Slot has once again brought attention to the mixed record of Dutch managers in the Premier League. While the Netherlands has produced some of football's most respected coaches, success in England's top flight has often proven difficult to sustain.
From trophy-winning managers to short-lived appointments, several Dutch coaches have seen their Premier League journeys end with dismissal. Here are five notable Dutch managers who were sacked during their time in England.
1. Ronald Koeman (Everton)
Ronald Koeman arrived at Everton in 2016 after impressing at Southampton. His first season at Goodison Park was encouraging, as Everton finished seventh and secured qualification for European competition.
However, things quickly unraveled in the following campaign. The club struggled after the departure of star striker Romelu Lukaku, despite significant spending in the transfer market. A poor run of results left Everton near the relegation zone, leading to Koeman's dismissal in October 2017 after just 16 months in charge.
2. Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace)
Frank de Boer holds the unwanted record for one of the shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history. The former Ajax boss was appointed by Crystal Palace ahead of the 2017-18 season.
His attempt to introduce a possession-based style failed to deliver immediate results. Palace lost their opening four league matches without scoring a single goal. After just 77 days in charge and four Premier League games, De Boer was dismissed, making his tenure one of the briefest in the competition's history.
3. Louis van Gaal (Manchester United)
Louis van Gaal arrived at Manchester United in 2014 with a glittering reputation built through successful spells at clubs such as Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.
Although he guided United back into the UEFA Champions League and won the 2016 FA Cup, criticism over the team's cautious style of play persisted. Just days after lifting the trophy, Van Gaal was sacked and replaced by José Mourinho. His United side finished fourth and fifth in the league during his two seasons at Old Trafford.
4. Erik ten Hag (Manchester United)
Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United in 2022 after an outstanding spell with Ajax, where he won multiple Eredivisie titles and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
His first season was promising, with United finishing third and winning the Carabao Cup. He later added an FA Cup triumph in 2024. However, inconsistent league performances and a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign ultimately cost him his job. United dismissed Ten Hag in October 2024 after the club slipped into the lower half of the Premier League table.
5. Ruud Gullit (Chelsea and Newcastle United)
One of the most iconic Dutch figures in football history, Ruud Gullit enjoyed mixed fortunes as a Premier League manager.
At Chelsea, he enjoyed success by winning the FA Cup in 1997, helping lay the foundations for the club's modern rise. Despite that achievement, he was surprisingly sacked in 1998 following disagreements with the club's hierarchy.
Gullit later joined Newcastle United but struggled to replicate his earlier success. Following a disappointing run of results and dressing-room issues, he was dismissed in August 1999 after less than a year in charge.
Final Thoughts
Dutch managers have experienced both highs and lows in the Premier League. While figures such as Louis van Gaal, Erik ten Hag, and Ruud Gullit managed to win domestic trophies, none were able to establish long-term success before eventually being dismissed. The Premier League's demanding environment has proven challenging even for some of the Netherlands' most accomplished coaches, and Arne Slot's departure adds another chapter to that intriguing history.
