FOOTBALL'S DISASTROUS REIGNS: Moyes, Scolari, Klinsman, Ferrara, Queiroz, Souness, Tardelli

David Moyes' horrific nine month spell as manager of Manchester United has finally come to an end. The 2-0 defeat at former club Everton on Sunday was the final straw for the Glazer family and on Tuesday it was officially confirmed that Moyes had been relieved of his duties.

Despite enjoying unrivalled success during 26 years under Sir Alex Ferguson and winning the Premier League only last May, United currently find themselves in seventh place and struggling to even qualify for the Europa League.

But the Scot is not the first coach to have endured a disastrous period in office at a major footballing club. European giants such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Juventus have all suffered in the past under various managers, too.


Goal takes a look at some of the most calamitous reigns on the domestic scene in recent years.

CIRO FERRARA - JUVENTUS

Juventus had found times tough as they looked to get back on their feet following Calciopoli, but the club fell to their lowest ebb under Ciro Ferrara. Having taken over from Claudio Ranieri two games from the end of the 2008-09 season, the former defender was given the reins on a full-time basis in the summer.

Yet Ferrara became one of the few Juve coaches ever to be sacked midway through the season following a horrendous run either side of Christmas, which saw the Bianconeri not only slip out of the title race, but fall completely out of touch with the top six.

He was replaced in late January by Alberto Zaccheroni - a man who had not coached in three years before being called to Turin.

JURGEN KLINSMANN - BAYERN

Germany's surprise performance as hosts at the 2006 World Cup, when they finished third, had seen Jurgen Klinsmann regarded as one of the game's most promising young coaches.

But this reputation was destroyed following a horrific spell in charge of the club he had previously played for. Inheriting the best squad in Germany in the summer of 2008, by the time he was sacked in April the following year Bayern were not only out of all competitions, they were in danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Shortly before he was handed his marching orders, Bayern were destroyed 4-0 by Barcelona in one of the most one-sided quarter-final matches the competition has witnessed.

CARLOS QUEIROZ - REAL MADRID

Seen as the bright young thing of world coaching following his success as Sir Alex Ferguson's number two at Manchester United, Carlos Queiroz started life as Real Madrid boss superbly.

Supplied with one of the most glittering squads ever assembled, the Portuguese led the Galacticos to a commanding position at the top of La Liga and a Champions League quarter-final by early March.

But the fall-out from off-field issues including the Atocha train bombing and David Beckham's alleged affair took the spotlight away from football and the Blancos' form subsequently nosedived. An eventual fourth-place finish and Champions League exit to Monaco - having led 5-2 on aggregate - led to an inevitable sacking come the summer of 2004.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI - CHELSEA

Luiz Felipe Scolari arrived at Chelsea in 2008 with a big reputation having led his country Brazil to World Cup glory just six years earlier, as well as guiding Portugal to the final of Euro 2004.

However, despite an impressive start - with the club thrashing Portsmouth 4-0 and playing some expansive football on his debut - the west Londoners soon began to struggle.

The Blues fell away in the title race and had a terrible record against the big teams, losing home and away to Liverpool, as well as against Manchester United and Arsenal.

He was eventually put out of his misery in February 2009. His temporary replacement Guus Hiddink immediately restored the club's fortunes by winning the FA Cup and taking the club to the verge of the Champions League final.

GRAEME SOUNESS - LIVERPOOL

Anyone taking over from Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool would have had it tough given the famous No.7's fantastic haul of 10 trophies in five-and-a-half years in charge at Anfield, but Graeme Souness struggled infinitely more than anyone could have imagined.

Having banked seven trophies in his time as manager of Rangers, the Scot failed to come to terms with the size of the task south of the border, overseeing the beginning of the slide which has seen Liverpool go 24 years without a league title.

The Merseysiders' only success in his three-year reign came in the 1992 FA Cup, with Ronnie Moran taking charge for the final after Souness had spent time in hospital following heart trouble.

MARCO TARDELLI - INTER

Inter went through more coaches than a bus station during the Massimo Moratti era, but none fared quite as badly as Marco Tardelli during the 2000-01 season.

The 1982 World Cup winner was hired just after the start of the campaign when Marcello Lippi was sacked, but failed miserably despite boasting a world class squad featuring the likes of Ronaldo, Christian Vieri, Javier Zanetti and Clarence Seedorf.

The Nerazzurri could only manage to finish fifth in Serie A - a shocking return considering their resources and personell. Tardelli achieved a win percentage of just 37.5% and also oversaw arguably the most humiliating defeat in the club's history when Inter were thrashed 6-0 by Milan in the derby. Tardelli was fired at the end of the season.