The 2021–22 season was the 123rd season of the English Football League (EFL) and the sixth season under that name after it was renamed from The Football League in 2016. For the ninth season running, the league was sponsored by Sky Betting & Gaming and therefore known as the Sky Bet EFL.
The EFL is contested through three divisions: the Championship, League One and League Two. The winner and the runner-up of the Championship are automatically promoted to the Premier League and they are joined by the winner of the Championship play-off. The bottom two teams in League Two are relegated to the National League.
The two-year partnership extension between the league and its official charity Mind expired after this season.
Promotion and relegation
From the Premier League Relegated to the Championship Fulham West Bromwich Albion Sheffield United
From the Championship Promoted to the Premier League Norwich City Watford Brentford Relegated to League One Wycombe Wanderers Rotherham United Sheffield Wednesday
From League One Promoted to the Championship Hull City Peterborough United Blackpool Relegated to League Two Rochdale Northampton Town Swindon Town Bristol Rovers
From League Two Promoted to League One Cheltenham Town Cambridge United Bolton Wanderers Morecambe Relegated to the National League Southend United Grimsby Town
From the National League Promoted to League Two Sutton United Hartlepool United
Championship
Table
Play-offs
Results
League One
Table
Play-offs
Results
League Two
Table
Play-offs
Results
Managerial changes Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment Position in table Northampton Town Keith Curle Sacked 10 February 20212020–21 English Football League Jon Brady 8 May 2021Pre-season Barrow Michael Jolley 21 February 2021 Mark Cooper 28 May 2021 Colchester United Steve Ball 23 February 2021 Hayden Mullins 13 May 2021 Leyton Orient Ross Embleton 27 February 2021 Kenny Jackett 21 May 2021 Doncaster Rovers Darren Moore Appointed by Sheffield Wednesday 1 March 2021 Richie Wellens 17 May 2021 Sheffield United Chris Wilder Sacked 13 March 2021 2020–21 Premier League Slaviša Jokanović 27 May 2021 Preston North End Alex Neil 21 March 20212020–21 English Football League Frankie McAvoy 10 May 2021 Forest Green Rovers Mark Cooper 11 April 2021 Rob Edwards 27 May 2021 Swindon Town John Sheridan Resigned 18 April 2021 John McGreal 26 May 2021 Walsall Brian Dutton Sacked 10 May 2021Pre-season Matthew Taylor 19 May 2021 Bradford City Mark Trueman Conor Sellars 10 May 2021 Derek Adams 4 June 2021 Tranmere Rovers Keith Hill Sacked 11 May 2021 2020–21 English Football League Micky Mellon 31 May 2021 West Bromwich Albion Sam Allardyce Resigned 19 May 2021 2020–21 Premier League Valérien Ismaël 24 June 2021 Morecambe Derek Adams 2 June 2021Pre-season Stephen Robinson 7 June 2021 Barnsley Valérien Ismaël Appointed by West Bromwich Albion 24 June 2021 Markus Schopp 29 June 2021 Swindon Town John McGreal Resigned 25 June 2021 Ben Garner 21 July 2021 Bournemouth Jonathan Woodgate End of contract 27 June 2021 Scott Parker 28 June 2021 Fulham Scott Parker Appointed by Bournemouth 28 June 2021 Marco Silva 1 July 2021 Rochdale Brian Barry-MurphyResigned 30 June 2021 Robbie Stockdale 10 July 2021 Swansea City Steve Cooper 21 July 2021 Russell Martin 1 August 2021 Milton Keynes Dons Russell Martin Appointed by Swansea City 1 August 2021 Liam Manning 13 August 2021 8th Nottingham Forest Chris Hughton Sacked 16 September 2021 24th Steve Cooper 21 September 2021 24thNewport County Michael FlynnResigned1 October 2021 15th James Rowberry19 October 2021 13thCarlisle United Chris BeechSacked10 October 202122nd Keith Millen26 October 202122nd Charlton Athletic Nigel Adkins21 October 2021 Johnnie Jackson 17 December 202111thCardiff City Mick McCarthyMutual consent 23 October 202121st Steve Morison12 November 202120thScunthorpe United Neil CoxSacked1 November 202124th Keith Hill5 November 202124thBarnsley Markus Schopp1 November 202123rd Poya Asbaghi17 November 202123rdHartlepool United Dave ChallinorAppointed by Stockport County 1 November 2021 10th Graeme Lee1 December 2021 17thMiddlesbrough Neil WarnockMutual consent6 November 202114th Chris Wilder7 November 202114thStevenage Alex RevellSacked15 November 202121st Paul Tisdale28 November 202121stFleetwood Town Simon Grayson 24 November 202122nd Stephen Crainey 21 December 202118thOldham Athletic Keith Curle24 November 2021 John Sheridan22 January 202224thSheffield United Slaviša Jokanović25 November 202116th Paul Heckingbottom25 November 202116thDoncaster Rovers Richie Wellens2 December 202123rd Gary McSheffrey29 December 202123rdIpswich Town Paul Cook4 December 202111th Kieran McKenna16 December 2021 12thPreston North End Frankie McAvoy6 December 202118th Ryan Lowe7 December 202118thPlymouth Argyle Ryan LoweAppointed by Preston North End7 December 20214th Steven Schumacher7 December 20214thGillingham Steve EvansMutual consent9 January 202222nd Neil Harris31 January 202223rdColchester United Hayden MullinsSacked 19 January 2022 Wayne Brown 17 May 2022 2022–23 English Football LeagueHull City Grant McCann25 January 202219th Shota Arveladze27 January 202219thSunderland Lee Johnson30 January 20223rd Alex Neil11 February 20224thWest Bromwich Albion Valérien Ismaël 2 February 20225th Steve Bruce3 February 20225th Walsall Matthew Taylor9 February 2022 21st Michael Flynn 15 February 202218th Bradford City Derek Adams 15 February 202211th Mark Hughes 24 February 202214th Reading Veljko Paunović Mutual consent 19 February 202221st Paul Ince16 May 2022 2022–23 English Football LeaguePeterborough United Darren FergusonResigned20 February 202223rd Grant McCann24 February 202223rdMorecambe Stephen RobinsonAppointed by St Mirren22 February 202221st Derek Adams24 February 202221stLeyton Orient Kenny JackettSacked 23 February 202218th Richie Wellens9 March 202220thCarlisle United Keith MillenMutual Consent23 February 202223rd Paul Simpson23 February 202223rdStevenage Paul TisdaleSacked16 March 202222nd Steve Evans16 March 202222ndBarrow Mark CooperMutual consent20 March 202221st Phil Brown21 March 202221stAFC Wimbledon Mark Robinson28 March 2022 Mark Bowen30 March 2022Crewe Alexandra David ArtellSacked11 April 202224th Alex Morris28 April 202224thBarnsley Poya AsbaghiMutual consent24 April 2022 Michael Duff 13 June 2022 2022–23 English Football League
References