A few notable interim managers in the Premier League were able to secure his position permanently.
The Premier League might be a dream destination for every manager. Its level of competition has been incomparable to any other major league in Europe. However, not all football managers can succeed for a long time, like Pep Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson, or Arsene Wenger. Some might only have a short-term glorious spell like Jose Mourinho, while others have been deemed failures despite winning silverware like Erik Ten Hag. His success in thumping Manchester City in the FA Cup final was not considered good enough to save his future at Old Trafford. Let alone keep Manchester United tickets in high demand. A new manager is simply needed, as United have missed the Champions League spot. However, the club’s new owner has yet to make a final decision for the Dutch boss’ future.
Meanwhile, some figures have only been appointed temporarily as caretakers. The likes of Everton’s Duncan Ferguson or Blackburn’s Tony Parkes are some of the examples. They were the names the club turned to during turbulent times, not just once. Yet, they never had a chance to work as a permanent manager or even head coach.
There have always been outliers. These three names were able to secure their tenure at the club after their initial success as interim managers. They are the only three gaffers who have been given such a promotion in Premier League history. Check out who they are.
Paul Hart (Portsmouth)
His name was probably not familiar among the fans. Hart mainly spent his managerial career in lower-tier competition. He was once named a caretaker in Portsmouth back in early 2009 as Tony Adams’ successor to lead the team in the final 13 matches. He was able to deliver positive results in some crucial games, such as a 2-1 win over Everton and a narrow 1-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers, plus a goalless draw against Newcastle, to keep Pompey in the top flight. David James and Co. finally sat 14th on the table.
In the following season, Paul Hart was promoted to permanent manager of the team. Sadly, his tenure did not last long due to poor results—only two wins in 13 fixtures. He was then offered a new role to take over the youth team but rejected it and opted to leave. The former Crystal Palace caretaker joined QPR in that very season, 2009/10. Hart is currently still active in the dugout, being the assistant manager of Charlton Athletic, a team in the third tier, League One.
David Pleat (Tottenham)
David Pleat’s managerial career was never far from Tottenham and Luton Town. Yet, it was at Spurs that he had various roles in management, from caretaker, manager, and director of football to scout consultant. His name came to the spotlight during his first stint at White Hart Lane. Back in the 1986/97 season, he was able to lead Spurs to finish third in the top flight and advance to the FA Cup final. Sadly, their campaign went sideways as Glenn Hoodle and Co. were stunned by Coventry City at the summit as they were beaten 3-2.
His second spell was in 1998, initially as the Director of Football before also taking charge of the team for six games as a caretaker after Spurs dismissed the Swiss gaffer, Cristian Gross. Pleat led Sol Campbell and Co. to secure one win, two draws, and one loss in four EPL games, plus two matches versus Brentford in the EFL League Cup.
He made his return to the North London side as an interim manager in 2001 after the management sacked his former player 1987 and England national team boss, Glenn Hoodle. This time, it was only for one match, against Coventry City, which resulted in a 3-0 victory on their home turf.
Pleat was back at White Hart Lane one more time in 2003, but no longer as a caretaker. He was named the manager for Robbie Keane and Co. for their 2003–04 campaign. Unfortunately, they only finished 14th in the final standings, despite some positive results such as a narrow win over Liverpool and Newcastle at home and holding the eventual league winner, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, in a 2-2 draw at home.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United)
He is probably the most successful caretaker yet an underrated manager in Premier League history. Solskjaer was famous for his super-sub role during his playing years at Old Trafford. In March 2019, he was named a caretaker as Jose Mourinho’s temporary replacement in the 2018–19 season. The former striker who bagged a winning goal for United in the 1999 UCL final managed to guide them to finish sixth.
In his first full season, the Norwegian boss showcased his true qualities on the pitch. He was able to improve the Red Devils’ position to third in the 2019–20 season. In the following, the former Cardiff City manager made more improvements to the team. Bruno Fernandes and Co. managed to entail Manchester City in the title race before eventually finishing second, their best position since Sir Alex Ferguson left the post. In the continental competition, Solskjaer also managed to bring them to the Europa League final in the same year. Sadly, they were defeated dramatically on penalties against Unai Emery’s Villareal.
Solskjaer’s tenure finally came to an end in November 2021. His inability to optimise the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, plus a series of negative results in the 2021/22 campaign, such as several home defeats against Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester City at their home turf, some unnecessary defeats versus Swiss side Young Boys at the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, and a heavy 4-1 loss to Watford, nailed his coffin.
Solskjaer has yet to make his return to the dugout despite the rumours that linked him to several teams, including Bayern Munich and the Canadian national team. Nevertheless, he remains unattached. The former Molde boss is currently working as a UEFA match analyst.
