The Premier League Manager of the Month Curse: Why Emery's Award Spells Trouble

Unai Emery has just collected a Premier League Manager of the Month gong and subsequently granted an interview that raised eyebrows across the football world. The combination might not seem catastrophic, yet this particular season tells a rather different story.

The Villa boss has become the latest to join a distinctly unenviable roster of monthly award winners in 2025/26—a list that includes Enzo Maresca, Ruben Amorim, Oliver Glasner, and Arne Slot, whilst Vitor Pereira and Nuno Espirito Santo claimed the honours at the tail end of 2024/25. For Maresca, Amorim, and Glasner especially, their accolades arrived against a backdrop of internal discord and boardroom dysfunction that would ultimately accelerate their departures.

Emery's recent comments, declaring Villa "are not contenders to be in the top five" and grumbling about rivals with superior resources—a pointed reference to Tottenham's interference in the Conor Gallagher pursuit and Donyell Malen's departure without adequate replacement—struck observers as distinctly uncomfortable viewing.

Jamie Redknapp labelled it "one of the oddest interviews I have ever seen", whilst Ashley Young simply called it "weird". Stuart Pearce pondered aloud whether mounting frustration might prove insurmountable for the Villa manager. The tone was unmistakably prickly.

The probability of Emery actually departing this season remains vanishingly small—he's simply a manager who wears his emotions openly and was visibly rattled by the prospect of facing David Moyes' Everton. Yet should the unthinkable occur, he would hardly be the first Premier League Manager of the Month recipient to exit during the same campaign.

The Curse in Full Bloom

Jose Mourinho arrived at Tottenham's helm and orchestrated a blistering November 2020, defeating Brighton, West Brom, and Manchester City whilst drawing at Chelsea to maintain top spot. By April 2021, the wheels had spectacularly come off—Spurs finished seventh, dumped from the Europa League by Dinamo Zagreb. Mourinho's tenure lasted 129 days from award to sacking.

West Brom's Roberto Di Matteo won September 2010's honour whilst sixth, following impressive scalps including a 3-1 derby victory over Birmingham and a stunning 3-2 win at Arsenal. By February 2011, newly promoted Albion had plummeted to 17th and were shown the door after 128 days—only Roy Hodgson's arrival prevented relegation.

Hull City's Mike Phelan earned August 2016 recognition whilst fifth, having orchestrated a miraculous start against the odds. Victories over Leicester and Swansea, plus a narrow Old Trafford escape courtesy of Marcus Rashford's stoppage-time goal, suggested genuine survival hope. Reality proved harsher; just one league win in 18 matches preceded his sacking in January after 117 days.

Aston Villa's John Gregory won September 2001's award at fourth position, with an unbeaten campaign start raising title aspirations. November through New Year brought just one victory in eleven matches, however, and Gregory resigned in January 2002 following fan unrest and boardroom tensions with chairman Doug Ellis—105 days later.

Ruben Amorim's Manchester United spell offers perhaps the most recent cautionary tale. October 2025's award arrived when United sat eighth, following victories over Sunderland and Brighton plus a spectacular Anfield dismantling. That represented the experiment's zenith; Amorim managed just three victories in his subsequent eleven matches before departing within 61 days, having clashed with sporting director Jason Wilcox.

Nuno Espirito Santo's Tottenham tenure began promisingly in August 2021, top of the table following three consecutive 1-0 victories over Manchester City, Wolves, and Watford. Five defeats in seven matches followed, and November's sacking came after just 53 days. Rather remarkably, Spurs had now sacked consecutive Manager of the Month recipients.

Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Wilson achieved January 2000 honours whilst 19th, courtesy of draws with Arsenal and wins against Bradford and Tottenham. One victory in the next seven preceded his March dismissal after 49 days, with Peter Shreeves inheriting a sinking ship.

Reading's Brian McDermott holds the dubious distinction of the curse's swiftest strike. Named January 2013's winner at 17th place following victories over West Brom and Newcastle plus a Chelsea comeback draw, he survived barely 33 days before March's sacking, with the Royals having slipped to 19th.

Finally, Enzo Maresca wasted virtually no time at Chelsea. Named November 2025's recipient after victories over Spurs, Wolves, and Burnley plus an Arsenal draw, he cryptically referenced his "worst 48 hours" just one day later. Only two wins followed in nine matches before his January departure—a mere 21 days after the award.

The pattern is unmistakable. Whether Emery's recent award and candid interview prove prophetic remains uncertain, but history suggests caution is warranted.