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There have been at least six Premier League coaches laid off every calendar year since 2012. In two of the last three years (2017 and 2019), that number increased to nine. COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on soccer, as it has on all walks of life, but managers have at least benefited from increased longevity in employment.
After Nigel Pearson left Watford with two games left from last season, Sam Allardyce had to wait until December 16 to replace Slaven Bilic at West Brom, one of only two senior managerial changes of 2020. The impact COVID-19 finance brings the cost of firing a manager into sharper focus. Likewise, the lack of training ground time that comes from a condensed match roster elicits more sympathy for fighters trying to stop a decline.
But patience cannot last forever, especially as the price of relegation or loss of Champions League qualification will feel even higher after a season almost entirely starved of matchday income with fans excluded from the stadiums. So who could be next in line for the slice?
In the hottest seat
None Sheffield United neither Arsenal they want to fire managers who exceeded expectations last season, but Chris Wilder and Mikel Arteta can’t continue in their respective grooves for much longer.
Wilder is the second favorite to be fired by most bookies, but the relegation threat is very real – two points from his first 14 games is the worst start in top flight history in England. They’re already 10 points from safety, but I’d hate to fire the man who brought their club back to the Premier League. Arteta won the FA Cup last season and was promoted from head coach to manager in September. Consequently their odds seem a bit short given internal recognition of the scale of the task, but they lose to Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom during the festive period and Arsenal could be in the bottom three.
Under threat with more bad results
Steve Bruce saw his demise as Newcastle united The manager predicted in the summer when it looked like a Saudi-backed acquisition would take place. Guiding them to 12th place feels like a success given that context, but magpies football is largely terrible and fans remain unconvinced. Graham Potter was tasked with the responsibility of implementing a better style in Brighton and Hove Albion but they have only won two league games all season.
United manchester they continue to lurch from majesty to calamity under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He has already survived several turbulent spells in two years, but Mauricio Pochettino will not be around forever and United’s form is so fickle that the club appears in a circle the Norwegian is struggling to break.
Sure … for now
Scott Parker seemed doomed at the start of the season, but FulhamThe late summer transfer activity has helped them tremendously: Six of the XIs who drew with Liverpool earlier this month signed after 1 September. However, Fulham remains in the bottom three, and having been backed in the market, they must now deliver.
Burnley Similarly, they have launched their own mini-revival with three wins in their last six games, easing the pressure on Sean Dyche. Chelsea gave Frank Lampard £ 220 million in new players this summer and he must finish in the top four at least. Lampard’s legendary status as a player will give him more time than most Chelsea coaches, but owner Roman Abramovich’s ruthlessness knows no bounds.
David Moyes started the season under considerable pressure, but after retaining key midfielder Declan Rice, continually linked to Chelsea, has led West Ham in the upper half, with results including a win at Leicester and draws against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Sam Allardyce has never been relegated, but he faces a real challenge with West brom five points adrift in 19th place after 14 games. You will get a £ 2 million bonus if you keep the Exchanges up, and you will surely have every opportunity to do so. Aston Villa he survived on the final day of last season but seems poised for a more comfortable season, having risen to ninth place so far with Dean Smith also managing to convince Jack Grealish to tie his future to the club with a new contract.
Wolves They are trapped in the middle of the table, but it is a measure of the work that Nuno Espirito Santo has done that feels like a slight disappointment. It’s two points and two places up crystal Palace, where Roy Hodgson continues to keep his team out of trouble with a comfortable cushion.
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Leeds United He would be at the top of the table if the applause equaled the points, but Marcelo Bielsa’s expansive style continues to enjoy full acceptance from his team and fans. Things can always unravel very quickly when it comes to José Mourinho, but Tottenham led the way to a point of nine against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Leicester. Its rebirth is far from over.
No danger
Jurgen Klopp will surely leave Liverpool on his own terms, even if his grip on the Premier League hasn’t been that secure so far this season. The same happens with Pep Guardiola, who has just signed a new contract extension in Manchester city with an eye on the return to the summit.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has overseen a remarkable transformation in Southampton to see them emerge as this season’s surprise challengers for a place in the top six along with Everton, where Carlo Ancelotti has led the Merseysiders to fourth place after a summer of canny acquisitions.
Brendan Rodgers has shrugged Leicester cityThe late collapse – and the subsequent failure to secure a place in the Champions League – last season put them back in the race.
