You don’t need to win, just don’t lose: The effect of draw outcomes on soccer coach dismissals

This article deals with circumstances leading to the dismissal of a soccer coach. It is based on the performance of the top four professional soccer leagues in England over the past 12 years. We find that dismissals of coaches take place after losses, but not after draws. This is true even when the draw is disappointing and was unexpected. The scoring method in soccer leagues is biased in favor of wins, but we find that dismissals are linked with losses. The present article questions whether the aim of a dismissal is in line with the objective function of maximizing a soccer club’s league points.