Premier League: Who will be the next manager to be sacked?

It took some time for the Premier League’s coaching carousel to kick into gear last season, with Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom the first to be told to leave on December 5.

In 2022/23, 16 managers left or lost their jobs. What will happen in 2024/25?

A growing impatience at the highest level means new bosses have far less time to win over fans and senior figures, while stingy financial rules and the monstrous payments required to part with managers arguably meant fewer clubs were willing to act last season.

Thus, only five clubs enter the new season with alternative figures in charge.

However, while last season bucked the trend of hasty managerial departures somewhat, 2023/24 is likely to emerge as a mere anomaly. Every manager’s situation is different, especially in relation to new arrivals; some are undoubtedly under more pressure than others heading into 2024/25.

see how 90 minutes ranks the Premier League sack race.

6. Arne’s Slot

Arne Slot may well have the toughest task in the game right now as he succeeds Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Expectations regarding the Dutchman’s arrival should be tempered and only the eternally optimistic believe Slot is capable of coming close to what Klopp achieved on Merseyside, let alone replicating it.

But hey, it took Klopp several years to get Liverpool back to the top of Europe.

Slot comes into the job having briefly transformed Feyenoord into the dominant force in the Eredivisie. There are ideological similarities with Klopp, but also distinct differences.

It will take time to implement his ideas in such a demanding environment and although Slot will feel the heat immediately, Liverpool will certainly give the Dutchman a season to settle in and lay the foundations for life without his charismatic German.

5. Eddie Howe

Newcastle’s determination to hold on to Eddie Howe amid speculation over the England job suggests the club want the Englishman to lead the Magpies for the long haul.

However, Howe enters the 2024/25 season on the back of a hugely disappointing campaign, albeit one hampered by a never-ending injury crisis.

Still, given the squad at his disposal and what they achieved two seasons ago, the pressure is on Howe to have Newcastle competing for a top-four spot again next season. The Magpies finished eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in seventh last time out.

The absence of European football will help Howe’s side, but a slow start to the new season will no doubt have some fans wondering whether the manager has his sights set on the national team.

Enzo Maresca is the latest man to enter the poisoned chalice after Mauricio Pochettino lasted just one season at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s new regime is cycling through managers like they’re going out of fashion and the long-term deal Maresca signed after guiding Leicester City to the Championship title last season doesn’t make him immune to an early sacking.

Graham Potter was handed his resignation just months after taking charge, having signed a five-year contract with the Blues.

Chelsea’s strong finish to the 2023/24 season, combined with the return to full fitness of several key stars, means there is an expectation that Maresca’s side can make a splash next season.

However, given his relatively unknown profile, it won’t be long before Chelsea fans turn against the Italian – even if the hierarchy are willing to back him.

3. Nuno Holy Spirit

Two wins from their last three games made it look like Nottingham Forest were comfortably holding on to the lead, but there was nothing convincing about Nuno Espírito Santo’s side down the stretch.

Santo achieved his primary objective last season, but there are still doubts over the former goalkeeper’s long-term viability at the City Ground. His reactive style works with the attacking profiles at his disposal, but there is a fine line between dull defending and exuberant pragmatism.

Given Forest’s performance under Santo during the second half of last season, there is little reason to suggest a major improvement is in the offing.

Besides, a coach is never safe with Evangelos Marinakis lurking around.

2. Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper was out of work after leaving Forest last December but has found a new home at the King Power Stadium. After seeing their title-winning manager leave for Chelsea, Leicester turned to Cooper on their return to the top flight.

Cooper is a fine manager who did a great job keeping Forest in the Premier League two seasons ago. He should benefit from having a more settled squad at his disposal, but there will be an expectation that the Foxes will stay. They were considered too good to go when they succumbed in 2022/23 and were by far the best team in the Championship last season, despite trying to derail their title challenge in the spring.

Leicester fans are not particularly keen on Cooper’s arrival, mainly because of the names they have been linked with and their connection to Forest. Many wanted Graham Potter and there are concerns that Cooper’s style could deviate a little too drastically from Maresca’s.

Their main aim will be to stay in the competition, but the King Power faithful will be keen to see their team play with a swagger that somewhat resembles their work in the second tier.

1. Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag has been on the brink throughout 2024, with new owners INEOS actively seeking his potential successor before the end of the 2023/24 season.

It has been a nightmare season for Manchester United, who have often looked terribly under-trained and completely out of form. However, United’s FA Cup final triumph over noisy neighbours Manchester City may have bought the Dutchman more time.

The club have confirmed they will retain Ten Hag for 2024/25 but it will not be long before the forcados return if United, who will once again be bolstered by a number of new arrivals, continue to be dismantled at will.

Any resemblance to last season’s performance permeating into the new campaign and INEOS will certainly not hesitate to pull the plug on the Ten Hag project.