Premier League managers call for drastic rule change that would make it much harder to be sacked

Premier League managers are calling for new rules that would make it harder for them to be sacked, it has been claimed.

According to a Sun report, leading managers are calling for new regulations that would stipulate that they could only be sacked during the transfer windows.

Players can only move between clubs during the summer and winter windows and top-level bosses apparently believe a similar system should be put in place for them.

Experienced Premier League managers are allegedly lobbying the League Managers Association for a change of rules, with sackings deemed to be too easy at present.

One anonymous manager was quoted by the publication as saying: "Players have contracts and rules that mean they are not moved outside of the windows. It should be the same for us."

In 2022-23 some 12 managers were sacked, with Chelsea and Leeds each relieving two managers of their duties that year. Meanwhile, two further bosses left their posts by mutual consent that season.

This term the rate of departures has slowed, with just three managers sacked. Bournemouth sacked Gary O'Neil ahead of pre-season to bring in Andoni Iraola, while Sheffield United's Paul Heckingbottom and Nottingham Forest's Steve Cooper were both fired in December.

Steve Cooper was sacked by Nottingham Forest in December (Getty)

Julen Lopetegui left Wolves by mutual consent on the eve of the campaign while Roy Hodgson stepped down at Crystal Palace last week after a health scare.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

However, the Championship has seen six sackings already this season, with Sunderland’s Michael Beale and Millwall’s Joe Edwards the latest to depart.

League One has seen ten sackings while League Two has had 13 managers depart, an indication owners have less patience than in the past.