Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United managers are among those who have managed to rebuild their shattered reputations elsewhere.
Some managers vanish quietly following a harsh period of criticism, whereas others demonstrate remarkable fortitude, bouncing back and proving their critics wrong.
We've examined seven managers who managed to restore their tarnished reputations despite overwhelming odds.
Frank Lampard
Lampard’s hiring by Coventry City in November 2024 sparked widespread skepticism and claims that the ex-England midfield player had secured an easy opportunity.
They accused Lampard of failing to get an expensively-assembled Derby promoted in 2019, allowing Chelsea to drift to mid-table before getting sacked in 2021, failing at Everton and producing one of the worst caretaker spells of all time back at Stamford Bridge.
Much like many situations, the truth lies somewhere in between: although Lampard couldn't be faulted for not surpassing what was anticipated of him, he also wasn't as significant a disappointment as those social media jesters might lead you to think.
After joining Coventry, Lampard has emerged victorious in nine out of his past ten games, propelling the team into the playoff positions.
Should this pattern persist, numerous spontaneously anointed specialists will likely need to reconsider their assessment of his management skills.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The rapid downturn at Manchester United has led some fans to reconsider Solskjaer’s tenure at Old Trafford more favorably.
However, coming in second place, losing a Europa League final, and enduring numerous humiliating losses despite having an expensive roster led to the Norwegian manager being dismissed in November 2021.
He has been slow to return to the dugout, having turned down around 40 offers previously, before finally accepting the position at the well-known chaotic club, Besiktas.
"So why Besiktas? It's a major club with an impressive history located in a fantastic city. However, I had previously spoken with them six months ago and a year prior," Solskjaer stated in January 2025.
“This time was distinct due to the president’s approach when speaking about reviving the old Besiktas with values and respect.”
Values such as perseverance and relentless effort are important to them, along with advocating for an aggressive, offensive style of play.
Solskjaer secured victories in seven out of his initial nine games in Turkey, mirroring his rapid success at Old Trafford. Will this pattern recur, or will he keep working to restore his standing?
David Moyes
By the conclusion of the 2010s, Moyes' impressive ten-year tenure at Everton had been largely overshadowed.
When he failed to immediately match Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements at Manchester United, he was let go before even completing a year (despite subpar results, they weren’t as poor as those of some subsequent managers). During his tenure, Sunderland faced relegation, and Moyes similarly struggled to make an impact during his time at Real Sociedad.
Securing West Ham's Premier League status during the 2017-18 season didn't lead to widespread criticism when they brought back Moyes in December 2019.
However, the Scotsman guided the Hammers through three consecutive European seasons, securing his initial title by claiming the UEFA Conference League in 2023, thus reshaping West Ham from consistent underachievers into a contemporary, progressive team on the rise.
His quick return to form at Everton in 2025 wasn’t much of a shock; everyone acknowledges Moyes' skill nowadays.
QUIZ: Could you list David Moyes' 30 most frequently used players throughout his coaching career?
Unai Emery
Securing multiple Europa League titles with Sevilla and Villarreal failed to stop English supporters from mocking Emery for his apparent stuttering.
Following an underwhelming stint at Arsenal, numerous people dismissed Emery, yet his signing by Aston Villa in November 2022 seemed like the ideal match for both parties involved.
Certainly, the Basque coach elevated Villa from mediocrity and guided them into the Champions League. No one laughs at his accent now.
READ NEXT: 13 iconic footballers who struggled as managers: Rooney, Maradona, Gerrard...
TRY A QUIZ: Could you list all the countries that have seen someone from their territory manage in the Premier League?
Nuno Espirito Santo
Much like Emery, Nuno's impressive tenure at Wolves (which included securing promotion and qualification for the Europa League) was marred by a significant public setback in north London.
As Spurs struggle in the lower portion of the Premier League, Nuno rebuilt his image with Al-Ittihad, rescuing Nottingham Forest from potential relegation and leading an unexpectedly fierce bid for Champions League qualification.
Marco Silva
Everton is well-known as a managerial black hole, discarding everyone from Roberto Martinez to Sean Dyche.
However, Silva was on an ascending path before joining Everton in 2018, having excelled with Hull and Watford in the English Premier League.
Everton were not yet the struggling team they became in the early 2020s – funds had been invested and ambitions ran high for securing a European spot – but Rafa BenÃtez was dismissed in December 2019 as Everton found themselves in the drop zone and suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat in the Merseyside derby.
Happily, the Portuguese has regained his reputation by transforming Fulham into consistent mid-table performers. This serves as another instance of a coach settling into their appropriate level.
Claudio Ranieri
Gary Lineker stated that Claudio Ranieri, despite his evident experience, was an unenthusiastic selection when he joined Leicester as the former Chelsea manager in 2015,
It's incredible how familiar faces continue to rotate through the manager's position.
Ranieri hadn’t held a job since his unsuccessful run with Greece in 2014, which concluded after they lost 1-0 to the underdog Faroe Islands.
As you all know, this was followed by what came next.
NEXT: Could you list all the managers who have claimed victory in the UEFA Champions League?