Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil lately turned the third and fourth managerial casualties of the 2024-25 Premier League marketing campaign, dismissed on the identical day after bruising house defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich City, respectively.
With Erik ten Hag and Steve Cooper shedding their jobs a number of weeks prior, it appears membership homeowners are actually prepared — as we attain the midway stage of the English top-flight season — to chop ties at any time when obligatory.
Who can have the doubtful honor of profitable the following leg of the Premier League sack race? Here is a have a look at the 5 bosses probably to obtain the boot:
Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur
Though his expansive, free-flowing and all-out attacking model of play has ensured the Spurs have contested a few of the most exhilarating matches in latest Premier League historical past, it hasn’t at all times garnered the required factors return. Regardless of thrashing Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad, placing 5 previous Southampton and netting 41 league targets (solely runaway chief Liverpool has scored extra), Postecoglou’s inconsistent outfit finds itself floundering in mid-table.
The wily Australian promises to stand resolutely by his swashbuckling brand of football as he seeks so as to add to a bustling private trophy cupboard. As the person himself has said in latest weeks, Postecoglou at all times wins silverware in his second season in cost – we simply have to see whether or not Daniel Levy believes strongly sufficient on this prophecy.
Sean Dyche, Everton
Having preserved Burnley’s top-flight standing for 5 consecutive seasons and led the Clarets to a primary European marketing campaign in over 5 a long time, Dyche’s Premier League pedigree can’t be disputed. Nevertheless, the Englishman’s defensive-minded tactics haven’t at all times gone down properly with the Goodison Park devoted.
After flirting with relegation for the previous two seasons and beginning the 2024-25 marketing campaign in patchy type, there’s a sense Dyche’s time at Everton would possibly quickly be up. In December, the Toffees celebrated the completion of a brand new stadium and the arrival of recent homeowners after a protracted takeover deal. Will a brand new supervisor quickly be on the helm?
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester Metropolis
Regardless of thumping the Foxes in his first outing as Manchester United’s caretaker supervisor, Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed Leicester Metropolis boss originally of December. After registering a formidable 3-1 victory over West Ham at King Energy Stadium, the Dutchman has watched his facet succumb to heavy defeats towards Newcastle United and the relegation-rival Wolves.
With the East Midlanders scoring only one objective of their final 4 matches and a collection of robust fixtures on the horizon, the previous Pink Devils striker will already be feeling the stress.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester Metropolis
Regardless of Manchester Metropolis’s torrid run of form, some would understandably contest Guardiola’s inclusion on this checklist. Having lifted 12 home trophies and earned a UEFA Champions League winners medal since arriving in England in the summertime of 2016, the tactician actually has an unlimited quantity of credit score within the financial institution.
Nevertheless, the way of Manchester Metropolis’s latest defeats has uncovered a number of flaws in Guardiola’s as soon as untouchable footballing philosophy, reminding us that he’s a mere mortal in any case.
Julen Lopetegui, West Ham United
After David Moyes’ departure in the summertime, West Ham followers had been trying ahead to a extra attacking method below the stewardship of former Wolves supervisor Lopetegui. Nevertheless, points on the again have served to undermine any restricted progress within the closing third. Outdoors of the underside 4, the Hammers have conceded extra Premier League targets than another membership.
Having suffered heavy defeats to league-leader Liverpool and cross-city rival Arsenal in latest weeks, the East Londoners could also be beginning to miss the pragmatic techniques of their earlier boss. May Lopetegui be edging in the direction of the exit door?