Norwich City manager Dean Smith and his predecessor Daniel Farke were reportedly among the highest complaining managers in the Premier League last season.
The Canaries were relegated immediately after returning to the Premier League, finishing rock bottom of the table on just 22 points, having only managed to score 23 goals all season and finishing 16 points shy of survival. It was officially the seventh worst season of any side in Premier League history.
Now a data table published by The Athletic has claimed that of all managers in last season's Premier League, ex-manager Farke and current boss Smith were among the top four complainers to make excuses after games where their side either drew or lost. Only Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta moaned more.
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Farke made excuses after 54.5% of matches, with Smith having a complain percentage of 48.5 across his time with Norwich and Aston Villa last term. Tuchel ranked top with 57.9%, with Arteta closely behind on 55.5%.
Smith also ranked highly for the most time moaning about refereeing decisions in The Athletic's study, with a total of 67 complaints being directed towards the standard of refereeing.
Premier League's top ten complaining managers last season (according to The Athletic)
1. Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea) 57.9%
2. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) 55.5%
3. Daniel Farke (Norwich City) 54.5%
4. Dean Smith (Norwich City) 48.4%
5. Rafa Benitez (Everton) 46.7%
6. Frank Lampard (Everton) 46.2%
7. Eddie Howe (Newcastle United) 42.9%
8. David Moyes (West Ham) 41.7%
9. Sean Dyche (Burnley) 40.7%
10. Ralf Rangnick (Manchester United) 40%
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