There have been ten gameweeks in the Premier League and the pressure is beginning to heat up for some managers. There has yet to be a managerial departure so far this season, but there are some candidates who could be close to the exit door.
Here are five managers who are under pressure following a disappointing start to the season…
Erik ten Hag – Manchester United
Manchester United currently sit eighth in the Premier League table having accumulated 15 points and their 3-0 defeat in the Manchester derby has further cast doubt over ten Hag’s managerial credentials. Many fans and pundits have highlighted a lack of identity in United’s play, and the fact that United are a soft touch. In all five of Manchester United’s wins this season, they have won by a single goal and have been far from convincing.
Their other five league games have all ended in defeat. Things have not been made any easier with a build up of off the field issues and distractions. The atmosphere at the club is toxic, but would a change of manager bring a breath of fresh air?
There seem to be few alternatives out there who could realistically improve things at the club. Of the out of work managers, Zinedine Zidane and Antonio Conte are probably the most likely options but neither are that appealing. A move for another club’s boss would be more so, perhaps Roberto de Zerbi or Simone Inzaghi.
Mauricio Pochettino – Chelsea
A change of manager at Chelsea is not an unusual thing, however there is a feel of it being a long-term project with Mauricio Pochettino. Results had taken a turn for the better in recent weeks, but their loss to Brentford further illustrated an issue with home form. Chelsea have only won one league game at home this season, a 3-0 win against struggling Luton.
Todd Boehly must feel pressured into pushing the sack button, but patience is needed for a group of players who are still trying to get to know each other. Chelsea have some key players returning from injury soon, but a fixture list that would make any fan wince. A testing few weeks ahead for Pochettino but would another managerial change really make things better? They’ve already abandoned another long-term project after the short-term in Graham Potter.
They’d likely be shopping in the same store as Manchester United should they make a change. They could further enrage Brighton fans by trying to lure de Zerbi away or instead go for Unai Emery at Aston Villa, though both would seem difficult given they are currently performing better on the pitch.
Andoni Iraola – AFC Bournemouth
Embed from Getty ImagesAndoni Ireola may have bought some time on the south coast after picking up his first win as Bournemouth manager. The 2-1 win against Burnley has lifted the Cherries out of the relegation zone and has given the club a huge boost of morale.
Iraola arrived at the Vitality with a lot of promise and potential, but has yet to convince the Bournemouth faithful that they can retain their Premier League status after doing so last season under Gary O’Neil. The somewhat harsh sacking of O’Neil now looks like a decision the Bournemouth board may live to regret. The win at the weekend brought a sense of relief for Bournemouth but there is still lots of work to do.
Graham Potter would be an ideal candidate should they go for a change but might be out of reach. Michael Carrick would likely be a more realistic option having done a fine job at Middlesbrough in the Championship, or they could go for an out of work and big-name manager such as Frank Lampard or Patrick Vieira.
Vincent Kompany – Burnley
Embed from Getty ImagesIt has been a bit of nightmare for Vincent Kompany at Burnley so far this season. They won the Championship at a canter last season and impressed many neutrals with his style of play. Many tipped Burnley to push on and avoid the drop this season, but one win in ten games has proved that the Premier League is no walk in the park.
A win against Luton and a draw to Nottingham Forest is all that Burnley have to show so far in what has been a miserable campaign. Defeats to Brentford and Burnley have increased the pressure on Kompany and a change of manager could be the catalyst for an upturn in form for the Clarets. Luckily for them, they are only two points off 17th place, and a win could change the mood around at Turf Moor. Fixtures are beginning to look more favourable after a difficult start.
Kompany has installed a bold style of play at Burnley which has yet to reap rewards in the top flight. A change of manager would need to signal a big shift in their philosophy for it to be worth doing, in the hope that becoming more solid and hard to beat, as they were under Sean Dyche, could secure their survival. Chris Wilder is out of work and fits that profile, as does survival specialist Sam Allardyce.
Paul Heckingbottom – Sheffield United
Embed from Getty ImagesIt has been nothing short of a disaster for Sheffield United this season. The Blades sit bottom of the league with just a single point from ten games. There have had their fair share of injury issues, but on the pitch they have failed to impress. In the first five games they were losing by one goal margins, but an 8-0 defeat to Newcastle was a sucker punch to the Blades. Since then they have lost every game, including a 5-0 drubbing by Arsenal.
Sheffield United look destined for relegation back to the Championship unless they can provide a miracle. Huge games against Wolves, Bournemouth and Burnley are coming up, and one win could swing the momentum of their season.
Their current predicament means getting in a significant upgrade on Heckingbottom would be difficult. Chris Wilder has been rumoured to return to his former club and could provide renewed hope of pulling off an unlikely survival. Among the other realistic alternatives would be the likes of Allardyce or Neil Warnock.
