Football

The 10 BIGGEST Bans Handed To Football Managers In History

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Liam Rouse
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Liam Rouse Sports Editor

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Published22 Mar 2025

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It is often rare to see football managers pick up suspensions for bad behaviour but when they do, they can often be seismic – here are the 10 biggest bans handed to coaches in history.

The 10 Biggest Bans Handed To Football Managers In History

10. Jose Mourinho – Fenerbahce: Four matches

We begin our list with none other than The Special One himself, Jose Mourinho.

The former Roma boss lives up to his namesake in at least one aspect, topping the list for most red cards received by a manager, with a total of nine.

One of Mourinho’s lengthiest bans came during his time at Fenerbahce. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) handed him a 4-match suspension and a fine of 1.6 million Turkish lira (£34,000) in February 2025. This action came after Mourinho repeatedly criticised Turkish referees, both to the press and to their faces.

Mourinho suffered a similar four-match hiatus in 2023 for confronting referee Anthony Taylor following Roma’s Europa League final loss to Seville.

3. Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid: Eight matches

Unsurprisingly, the manager to receive the second most red cards in history also finds himself on our list.

The Atletico Madrid manager, with a total of six red cards to his name, was handed an eight-match ban in August 2014. The Argentine committed an array of offences during his sides Spanish Cup Final clash with crosstown rivals Real Madrid.

Simeone earned a four-match ban for tapping a linesman on the back of the head, two more for protesting, another for applauding his sending off and final eighth for remaining in the stands and refusing to leave . This, all before the 25th minute.

Simeone’s side went on to win the Cup 2-1 on aggregate.

8. Antonio Conte – Juventus: Four months

While managing Juventus, Conte and his assistant were axed for 10 and eight months respectively for their involvement in the 2011-2012 Italian match-fixing scandal.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) accused Conte of failing to report alleged match-fixing during his time as Serie B side Siena, whom he managed during the 2011/12 season.

Direct allegations of match fixing were dropped by the FIGC, though they maintain he was aware of it during his time at Siena.

The ban was later reduced to four months, which he served.

7. Mark Stimson – Gray’s Athletic: Six months

The ex-Gillingham boss received a six-month ban, after being found guilty of assault in 2024.

The then-Gray’s Athletic coach had an altercation with another male in 2023.

Following his trial, Stimpson was sacked and ordered to pay a total of £1,052 in damages.

The former Newcastle player received a six-month ban from all football related activities by the FA.

6. Paolo Fonesca – Lyon: Nine months

The Portuguese coach earned himself a whopping nine-month ban in March 2025 after accosting a referee.

The Lyon manager was sent off during his side’s 2-1 win over Brest on March 2.

Following a VAR penalty review, the 52-year-old confronted referee Benoit Millot. He could be seen pressing his face against the official’s and shouting.

Fonseca, who ed from AC Milan in January, has since apologised for the incident.

5. John Yems – Crawley Town: Three years

The ex-Crawley Town boss was initially sentenced to a 17-month suspension in January 2023. Yems had been found guilty of making derogatory and racist remarks to his players between 2019 and 2022.

The former Fulham-youth coach then had his suspension extended to three years, following an appeal by the FA to an independent board.

Yems will be absent from all football-related activity until Jan 2026.

4. Ian Aalpol – Rochester Eagles: Eight years

Medway Sunday League side, Rochdale Eagles, saw their manager receive an eight-year suspension in October 2021 after assaulting an official.

The incident occurred following Aalpol’s sending off during his team’s clash with Rainham Eagles for repeatedly entering the field of play.

Referee Mark Joy then claimed he was assaulted by Aalpol, telling the FA the non-league manager punched him in the chest at the conclusion of the fixture. He said Aalpol then attempted to gain access to his dressing room. This was not the first altercation between the Eagles’ manager and league officials.

The FA ruled in favour of Joy and, considering his previous wrongdoings, handed Aalpol an eight-year ban. Rochester Eagles were also fined £125.

3. Don Revie – Leeds & England: 10 years

Though it never stood, the 10-year ban handed to former Leeds man Don Revie sent shockwaves around the footballing world.

Following his short and disappointing tenure as England manager, Revie left the country to coach in the United Arab Emirates in 1977.

The FA charged Revie with bringing the game into disrepute and handed him a 10 year ban in response.

Though the ban was later overturned in court, Revie never received an apology nor did he ever work in England again.

The 10 BIGGEST Bans Handed To Football Managers In History

2. Enoch West – Man United: 30 years

Manchester United player-manager Enoch ‘The Knocker’ West, along with seven other players were found guilty of match-fixing. Players from both United and Liverpool conspired to fix a match 2-0 in United’s favour, December 1915.

With odds at 7/1, the players looked to get one over on the bookies, with Liverpool even going so far as to miss a penalty. Liverpool players lacklustre efforts was enough to arouse suspicion.

In January 1916, all eight players were all handed a lifetime ban. Seven of the eight players all had their bans lifted after enlisting in World War I.

Enoch, however, never enlisted, and served a reduced suspension of 30 years until the age 59 in 1945. 

1. Robert Williams-Jones – Amlwch Town: Lifetime ban

Topping our list is former Welsh armature league manager Robert William-Jones, who succeeded in receiving the longest ban possible.

During an 8-0 loss in 2024 to Penryhndeudraeth, the Amlwch Town FC manager, decided to vent his frustration on the nearest, unfortunate linesman.

In footage captured, Williams-Jones can be seen swinging a fist into the head of the unsuspecting official, sending him to the floor.

For his troubles, the Welshman has been banned from all official football related activity for life. He faces a suspended prison sentence.