It’s no secret that the Premier League is the richest league in the world. The English top-flight draws in multi-billion dollar broadcasting and sponsorship deals, and that figure is seemingly only going up.
Consequently, every place matters. Managers are under intense pressure to get the best out of their players. There’s no room for sentiment anymore – it’s a results business.
This season, we have seen nine managers lose their jobs. Watford’s Xisco Munoz was the first to go, and Marcelo Bielsa was the latest. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the most high-profile sacking.
Going into the closing stages of the campaign, several managers could be on the verge of exiting their current clubs. Their results over the next few weeks could determine their futures.
We’ve had a look at every manager in the Premier League and how we expect them to get on.
Arsenal – Mikel Arteta
Current league position: 6th (with three games in hand on 4th)
Arsenal fans may be sick of hearing certain buzzwords around Mikel Arteta’s reign at the Emirates Stadium. Terms like ‘project’, ‘process’, ‘patience’, and ‘long-term’.
However, that’s the reality of it. Arteta is part of a project at the Gunners with the future in mind. And he’s a manager that the board trusts to take them forward.
The Spaniard has already survived several lows: consecutive eight-placed finishes, a nightmare start to the current season, reported feuds with top players at the club. If the board were going to sack him, they probably would have done it already.
Arsenal now seem to be on the right track. They have a young, vibrant team who are on course to return to the Champions League. Expect Arteta to still be in charge next season.
Aston Villa – Steven Gerrard
Current league position: 13th
Steven Gerrard made a real impression during his time in charge of Rangers, bringing them their first league title for a decade while going unbeaten. He has been touted to take over at former club Liverpool at some point.
For now, his focus will be on his job at Aston Villa. Dean Smith was sacked after five successive defeats, leaving the club in 15th.
Since the arrival of the ex-England international, the Midlands side have elevated themselves to 13th, staying clear of any realistic relegation danger. From his 14 league games in charge, he has picked up a respectable 20 points.
There is little reason to believe that Gerrard won’t still be in charge of Villa next term.
Brentford – Thomas Frank
Current league position: 15th
Returning to the top-tier for the first time since 1947, Brentford made a bright start to the season. They lost just one of their opening six fixtures, picking up points against Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham United.
But lately, they’ve been on a nightmare run which has dragged them right into a relegation battle. Since Christmas, the Bees have accumulated just four points from 11 league outings – only Everton have picked up fewer in that time frame, having played four games fewer.
Thomas Frank must figure out a way to turn this around, or they will be making a swift return to the Championship. The Brentford board could have their fingers hovering over the trigger.
However, the London outfit haven’t sacked a manager since 2015. Additionally, they may trust Frank to take them back up in the event of relegation. It’s a difficult one to call, but we reckon the Dane will stay.
Brighton and Hove Albion – Graham Potter
Current league position: 10th
Brighton & Hove Albion are in a very stable position right now. They’ve never looked close to a relegation battle and could have their eye on a European push next season.
Manager Graham Potter has received plenty of credit for the job he has done at the Amex Stadium. He has made steady progress with the Seagulls, all while playing an attractive brand of football.
The former Swansea City boss has been suggested for some of the biggest jobs in the country. He has been linked with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and even the England job.
We can’t see Brighton getting rid of Potter anytime soon. If he departs, it will likely be for a bigger club.
Burnley – Sean Dyche
Current league position: 18th
From the current bottom five, Burnley are the only side to have stuck with the same manager all season.
Sean Dyche is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, first taking over at Turf Moor back in 2012. In that time, they have achieved two promotions and qualified for the Europa League in 2018.
When the Clarets were relegated in 2015, Dyche was kept at the helm. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the club take the same stance this season.
However, they had a change of ownership back in December 2020. The new owner may not be so lenient if they go down again.
Chelsea – Thomas Tuchel
Current league position: 3rd
Speaking of changes of ownership, here’s Chelsea.
Owner Roman Abramovich is notoriously ruthless when it comes to sacking managers. Since his era began in 2003, 15 managers have come and gone, despite many of them winning major trophies at Stamford Bridge.
But now Abramovich is set to leave the Blues, announcing that he intends to sell the club on Wednesday.
After losing the Carabao Cup final last weekend, manager Thomas Tuchel risks going without a major trophy this season.
You’d think that his Champions League triumph in May would give him enough credit in the bank, but that wasn’t enough to save Roberto Di Matteo back in 2012.
A trophy-less season under Abramovich is usually enough to get a manager sacked at Chelsea. However, the new owner may be willing to give him a little bit more time. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Crystal Palace – Patrick Vieira
Current league position: 11th
A few eyebrows were raised when Patrick Vieira was appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor at Crystal Palace. His previous managerial record wasn’t the most impressive, and many expected him to be one of the first to go.
But the World Cup winner has proven to be a hit in south London. He has guided them to 11th in the league, while avoiding any real danger of the drop. The style of play is much more entertaining, and they are still competing in the FA Cup.
Vieira’s performances probably aren’t enough to attract much attention from the bigger clubs, but they will certainly keep him in the job. Expect the Frenchman to remain in the dugouts for next season.
Everton – Frank Lampard
Current league position: 17th
Having picked up just eight points from their last 17 league games, Everton reside just a point above the relegation zone. It seems crazy to say this, but the Toffees are genuine relegation candidates.
Their form was enough to see the wildly unpopular Rafa Benitez lose his job after just six months. He was replaced by former Chelsea player and manager Frank Lampard.
The 44-year-old has come in and won one league game from four, losing the other three. Things will need to improve, or they will be in the bottom three at the end of the season.
If he avoids relegation, Lampard probably stays at Goodison Park. If he doesn’t, he probably goes.
Leeds United – Jesse Marsch
Current league position: 16th
Marcelo Bielsa’s three-and-a-half-year spell at Leeds United was chaotic but ultimately successful for the most part.
He took them back to the Premier League after numerous years of failure while playing a style of football that we hadn’t seen before.
But the results stopped coming, and Leeds seemed to be in trouble. It was probably the right time for the Argentine to go. Nonetheless, he will be remembered as a legend at Elland Road.
Jesse Marsch was appointed as his replacement. The American won two league-and-cup doubles in his two seasons at Red Bull Salzburg but was fired just months into his tenure at RB Leipzig.
He is yet to take charge of his first game at the Yorkshire club, so it’s difficult to say how long he will last there. But replacing an enormously popular manager is always a tough task.
Leicester City – Brendan Rodgers
Current league position: 12th
Brendan Rodgers’ time at Leicester City has been mostly positive. He has built a flourishing side, qualifying for Europe in back-to-back seasons while winning an FA Cup.
But Foxes fans have begun to grow frustrated with the Northern Irishman. In both of his full seasons in charge, they missed out on the Champions League spots due to home defeats on the final day.
This term, things seem to have gone stale at the King Power Stadium. They are way off the pace in the race for European football, choked a two-goal lead in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals against Liverpool, got humbled by second-tier Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, and got knocked out of the Europa League in the group stages.
He’ll probably see out the rest of the season, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see a new man at the helm next year.
Liverpool – Jurgen Klopp
Current league position: 2nd
Since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield, Liverpool have climbed back to the top of the footballing world. They won a sixth European Cup in 2019 and finally got their hands on the elusive Premier League title a year later.
To put it simply, there is no chance of the Reds’ board sacking Klopp. If he goes, it will be of his own accord.
Manchester City – Pep Guardiola
Current league position: 1st
We could basically copy and paste what we wrote for Klopp and Liverpool but change the names.
Pep Guardiola is currently leading Manchester City through the most glorious period in their history. He has won three league titles, four Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and will be hungry for more.
The Catalan won’t be forced out. He will leave when he gets bored and seeks a new challenge.
Manchester United – Ralf Rangnick
Current league position: 4th
Ralf Rangnick was brought to Manchester United as an interim following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He was never intended to be a long-term option.
The results on the pitch will have done little to change this. The German has racked up eight wins from 17 games, with the toughest of those fixtures on paper being the trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Unless he performs a miracle and brings them European glory, Rangnick will likely take a step back into an advisory role once the season is over.
Newcastle United – Eddie Howe
Current league position: 14th
Mike Ashley sold Newcastle United back in October, and manager Steve Bruce soon followed him out the door, leaving the club in 19th.
Former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was trusted by the new owners to steer them away from relegation trouble.
After a busy January, which saw the Magpies fork out almost £100 million in transfer fees, Howe has guided them well clear of the relegation zone. We’re reasonably confident that he will still be in charge next term.
However, with the money being pumped into the club, the expectations have been ramped up at St James’ Park. A slow start to the next campaign could see him replaced.
Norwich City – Dean Smith
Current league position: 20th
After four-and-a-half years at Norwich City, Daniel Farke was sacked following a poor start to the season. Dean Smith’s arrival has brought about a slight upturn in fortunes, but this still hasn’t been enough to keep them off the bottom of the table.
As things stand, the Canaries are five points off survival with 12 matches remaining. They have a fighting chance, but it will take an almighty effort to stay up.
If they manage to beat the drop, Smith will surely stay in charge. If they don’t, they may keep him anyway – Farke was relegated in 2020 but kept his job, bringing them back up at the first time of asking.
Southampton – Ralph Hasenhuttl
Current league position: 9th
Southampton have had some difficult periods under Ralph Hasenhuttl, and there were times when he looked doomed. But they persisted through the pain and are starting to reap the rewards.
Despite having a limited budget, Hasenhuttl has taken the Saints to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and up to ninth place – on course for their highest league finish since 2016/17.
The south coast club were recently taken over by new owners, but it seems unlikely that they would be dissatisfied with the Austrian’s performance.
He is another one who has been named as a potential suitor for bigger clubs. His connection to Rangnick has seen him linked with a move to Man Utd.
Tottenham Hotspur – Antonio Conte
Current league position: 7th
Nuno Espirito Santo wasn’t the right man for Tottenham Hotspur, and his brief stint came to an end in early November.
After that, Spurs struck a deal with former Chelsea man Antonio Conte, who has won six league titles in his decorated time in management.
The Italian was expected to turn things around at the Lilywhites. And, while they have picked up some impressive victories, they have also suffered a fair few defeats.
They have lost five of their last seven outings, most recently exiting the FA Cup to Championship side Middlesbrough.
Conte has looked a defeated figure at times in his press conferences. If he is not adequately backed, he could walk away from the job.
That’s what it could all come down to. Is Daniel Levy willing to open his wallet and get the players that Conte wants?
Watford – Roy Hodgson
Current league position: 19th
There isn’t a single club in the country that goes through managers like Watford. They have had eight permanent managers since 2018 and haven’t had a manager reach the 100-game mark since Aidy Boothroyd, who left in 2008.
It seems fitting that journeyman manager Roy Hodgson should take over at Vicarage Road. The former England coach has had six previous jobs in the English leagues and 21 managerial roles in total.
If he takes them down, the 74-year-old will be sacked – and will quite possibly retire. If he keeps them up, they will probably let him lead the team for the beginning of next season.
West Ham United – David Moyes
Current league position: 5th
When David Moyes arrived back at the London Stadium for his second spell at West Ham United, the fans weren’t particularly enthusiastic. In his first stint, he finished in 13th place.
But his return has surprisingly been a huge success. The Hammers ended last season in sixth place and are competing for the Champions League spots this term.
Meanwhile, they remain in Europe and will face Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
It would be a shock to see the West Ham board remove Moyes from his position ahead of next year.
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Bruno Lage
Current league position: 8th
Despite fighting for the European places, Wolverhampton Wanderers continue to go somewhat under the radar.
They have suffered a drop-off lately, losing two games on the spin, but remain in with a shout of finishing inside the top seven.
There are pros and cons to Bruno Lage’s football. Only Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool have conceded fewer goals, but only Norwich and Burnley have found the net on fewer occasions.
Nonetheless, it’s been an encouraging start for Lage. He shouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
