How long AI thinks all 24 EFL Championship managers in 26/27 will last in charge | OneFootball

The Championship can be an unforgiving league when it comes to managerial safety

The 2026/27 Championship season is now a matter of weeks away, and excitement is slowly building amongst the respective fanbases of the division's 24 clubs.

English football's second tier is, of course, synonymous with drama and unpredictability, and that was definitely the case once more in 2025/26.

The Championship is also undergoing somewhat of a restructure ahead of the new season, with six teams now competing in the play-offs instead of four, with the sides who finish seventh and eighth to be involved in one-off 'eliminator' ties before the customary semi-finals and final at Wembley Stadium next May.

In terms of finances, the division's 24 clubs are also now under Squad Cost Rules, which allows them to spend up to a maximum of 85% of the income which they generate through incoming transfer fees and revenue streams.

As such, it remains to be seen if some of the league's most ambitious and bigger clubs can live up to the expectations on their shoulders, and with that in mind, FLW have asked AI to predict how long each manager will last in their respective jobs.

Birmingham City - Chris Davies

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Birmingham City's 2025/26 season was one of mixed fortunes despite a continuation of heavy backing towards manager Chris Davies in both transfer windows, as the West Midlands side finished 10th in the Championship.

As such, pressure is likely to be on the shoulders of the 41-year-old this time around, but AI predicts that he will last the course of the season in charge at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Blackburn Rovers - Tony Mowbray

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Blackburn Rovers are now under the management of their third boss in 2026, with Tony Mowbray recently returning to Ewood Park on a long-term contract.

The 62-year-old is vastly experienced in the division, and will hope to replicate his first spell in East Lancashire, during which Rovers had brief flirtations with the play-off places.

However, AI believes he could be sacked in March 2027 if the club are in yet another relegation battle.

Bolton Wanderers - Steven Schumacher

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Steven Schumacher was able to guide Bolton Wanderers back to the Championship in his first full season at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, and will now hope to preserve the Whites' divisional status.

The Liverpudlian does also boast recent experience of the division through spells with Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City, but AI believes he will be on the lookout for a job at a 'bigger club' compared to what the Lancashire outfit currently are.

Bristol City - Michael Skubala

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Bristol City's 2025/26 season saw Roy Hodgson oversee the final seven games after Gerhard Struber's shock dismissal, but the Robins have since poached Michael Skubala from Lincoln City on a three-year deal.

Skubala guided the Imps to the League One title amid a 29-game unbeaten run, and he will hope to translate such form into his first season at Ashton Gate.

Again, AI has backed the newly-appointed figure to last the season.

Burnley - Nicky Hayen

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After a long-standing managerial search, Burnley were recently able to land the services of Belgian head coach, Nicky Hayen, whose most recent stint was in charge of Genk.

It is the 45-year-old's first experience of managing in England, but he does have one Belgian top-flight success on his resume thus far, which makes the appointment rather intriguing.

Despite the reservations some may have, AI is also backing Hayen to last the season at Turf Moor.

Cardiff City - Brian Barry-Murphy

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Brian Barry-Murphy earned plenty of praise for guiding Cardiff City back to the Championship at the first time of asking with such a young squad, and survival will definitely be the aim for the Bluebirds this time around.

The former Manchester City Elite Development Squad coach has never managed in the second tier in his career thus far, and whilst the South Wales outfit could find it tough going this season, AI is also backing the Irishman to avoid being sacked by Vincent Tan.

Charlton Athletic - Nathan Jones

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Nathan Jones has been largely successful in his current spell with Charlton Athletic, backing up promotion in his first full season with survival in the Championship last term with one game to spare.

The Welshman also knows the division inside-out at this particular point, and will be hoping the Addicks can push up the table in the next year.

Again, he is being predicted to last the full season in South London.

Derby County - John Eustace

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Derby County narrowly missed out on a play-off place in John Eustace's first full season at Pride Park, but his experience of the division certainly stands the club in good stead to make further progress.

The Rams have already made some statements in the summer transfer window as takeover talks rumble on, and another season of progression could make Eustace's signature highly-coveted.

As such, AI claims that the former midfielder is likely to last the season, but could land a Premier League job next summer depending on circumstances.

Lincoln City - Chris Cohen / Tom Shaw

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Following the departure of the aforementioned Skubala, Lincoln City appointed his assistants, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, as joint-managers upon the Imps' first Championship term in over 60 years.

Last season's League One champions, rather unsurprisingly, are being tipped to find it extremely tough when it comes to adapting to the Championship, especially when comparing resources on and off the pitch to divisional counterparts.

However, AI believes the club's owners will stick by Cohen and Shaw in the long run.

Middlesbrough - Kim Hellberg

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Middlesbrough are gearing up for their first full season under Kim Hellberg, and the club will be hoping to right the wrongs in terms of how last season ended.

The Teesside outfit lost out in the automatic promotion race and then the play-off final, but will be expected to be in and around the promotion picture under the Swede, who was appointed last November in place of Rob Edwards.