The TEN longest-serving managers in the EFL | OneFootball

While their teams are doing the bleep test and gearing up in pre-season, fans are weighing up whether their side really has what it takes to challenge for honours next term - and whether the man in their dugout is up to the task.

Although managers are often given short shrift in the modern game, it is indisputable that many of the teams that enjoy sustained success do so with a long-term manager at the helm...which got Playmaker thinking!

Across the current tranche of EFL managers, only 17 have been in their present role for more than two years...and only 10 have been in charge of their club for more than three years. From Weaver to Jackson... So, who are these intrepid souls and which teams could be in the process of building a glittering dynasty?

Although Harrogate were only promoted into the EFL from the National League back in 2019/20, when the Sulphurites beat Notts County in the fifth tier's playoff final, the longest stint of any manager currently in 'The 72' (and the top four tiers for that matter) belongs to Simon Weaver.

In charge at Wetherby Road, now known as The Exercise Stadium, since May 2009, Weaver was initially appointed as player-manager and has transformed the club from sixth tier strugglers into League Two stalwarts - Harrogate finishing 18th in the fourth tier last season.

No other manager in 'The 72' can compete with that kind of longevity, although Nigel Clough is closing in on five years at Mansfield Town.

Son of the legendary Brian Clough, Nigel led the Stags to promotion from League Two back in 2023/24 and steered his side to a creditable mid-table finish last season. In total, the former Nottingham Forest and Liverpool forward has been in charge at Field Mill for four years and 251 days and counting, and he is the second longest-serving boss in the EFL.

Joining Clough in an elite group of managers in situ for more than four years are Bromley's Andy Woodman and Wrexham's Phil Parkinson, the latter having inspired the Welsh club's incredible rise from the National League to the Championship.

Outside of that exclusive group are six other EFL managers who have clocked up more than three years in their current job - which is a lifetime in modern football's terms! Newly-promoted Barnet boss Dean Brennan (3 years and 298 days) leads this group, and he is closely followed by Stockport's Dave Challinor (3 years and 255 days). Next up, are Kieran McKenna (3 years and 211 days). who obviously gained top flight experience last season with Ipswich Town, Chesterfield's Paul Cook (3 years and 155 days), Orient's Richie Wellens (3 years and 128 days) and AFC Wimbledon's Johnnie Jackson (3 years and 60 days).

The demands on managers have never been higher - but we’d wager these ten, based purely on their staying power, are better poised for success than most of their peers.

The EFL's longest-serving managers (as of 18 July 2025)