MY ACCOUNT
After rock and roll fan Gareth Ainsworth joined QPR following a decade at Wycombe, Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal tactics have seen him become the third longest-serving boss in English football.
The German has been at Anfield since October 2015, although recent performances have led to suggestions he could continue his trend of leaving clubs after around seven years in charge.
We take a look at the five men who have been in the dugout for the longest in the top four divisions.
5. Mark Robins (Coventry)
Mark Robins, 53, has seen plenty of crises in his second spell as Coventry boss but has brought success to the Sky Blues despite ongoing off-field issues since returning in March 2017.
Winning the EFL Trophy soon after taking the reins, he led his side into League One via the play-offs and two seasons later got them into the Championship, where they have remained.
Perhaps it is not too great a shock that he has kept his seat in the dugout, after all, he is the man who famously saved then up-and-coming Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson’s job in 1990.
4. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola has brought an unprecedented era of success to Manchester City and recently signed an extension until 2025.
His time with the Citizens has not been without incident and reports have emerged linking him with an exit at various points during his Etihad reign.
But with a superstar squad and world-class facilities at his disposal, it seems as if the 52-year-old Catalan could be in his post for a while yet.
3. Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Klopp has moved into the top three thanks to Ainsworth’s departure but there are question marks about how long his Liverpool career will last.
He is under contract until 2024 but the Reds’ struggles this campaign have seen the German’s methods questioned and a summer overhaul is on the cards at Anfield.
Former Borussia Dortmund chief Klopp, 55, is still expected to be the man to lead that rebuild but has a reputation for quitting clubs after seven seasons from his time at BVB and Mainz in his homeland.
2. John Coleman (Accrington Stanley)
John Coleman has spent two decades at Accrington Stanley over two spells at the club.
He has certainly cut the mustard in his current stint which began in September 2014, winning League Two in 2018 and keeping his side in the third tier ever since.
Coleman, 60, finds himself in a relegation battle in the 2022-23 season and will need every bit of his nous to help Stanley stay up.
1. Simon Weaver (Harrogate Town)
Simon Weaver took over as player-manager at Harrogate Town in May 2009 and has been at the helm for the most successful period in the club’s history.
Joined at Wetherby Road shortly after by his dad Irving, who became chairman, the father-and-son duo have fired the Sulphurites into the Football League for the first time ever.
Known more as a spa town, Harrogate is now firmly on the groundhopper map and the Weavers will hope to keep their spot in the pyramid for years to come.
Their 45-year-old boss, who hung up his boots in 2012, will expect that his job is secure for years to come — or there could be an awkward conversation at the next family Christmas dinner.
