The Premier League sack race is well underway as several managers find themselves under increasing pressure due to disappointing results. With several teams already making managerial changes, more hirings and firings could follow as clubs aim to rectify their poor performances and avoid relegation. While Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Ange Postecoglou is one of the most prominent figures under scrutiny, he is not alone, as other top-flight bosses are also facing the threat of the sack. This season has seen an unusually high number of managerial exits, a sharp contrast to the previous campaign when only a handful of permanent managers lost their jobs.
Ange Postecoglou, who took over at Tottenham in the summer after a successful stint at Celtic, is currently facing increasing pressure. Following a promising start to the season, Tottenham’s form has dipped dramatically, leaving fans and pundits questioning the future of the Australian manager. The most recent setback came in a 3-2 defeat to Everton, where Tottenham struggled, particularly in the first half. Although the team managed to pull two goals back after falling 3-0 down, it wasn’t enough to salvage a point.
In the aftermath of the match, Postecoglou appeared visibly frustrated during a BBC interview, delivering a sarcastic response when asked about the loss. He acknowledged that the first half was poor, with his team struggling to assert control over the game. Postecoglou also admitted that some of his team changes hadn’t worked out and that the players struggled to adapt. Despite the second-half recovery, the damage had already been done, and Tottenham left Goodison Park empty-handed.
Since their impressive 4-0 victory over Manchester City in November, Tottenham’s form has been concerning. They have only picked up five points from their last 10 Premier League games, causing them to drop from sixth to 15th in the standings. Tottenham’s poor form has put Postecoglou under the microscope, with some observers questioning whether the Australian is the right man to turn things around.
While Postecoglou is still in charge for now, the team’s poor league form, coupled with a tough upcoming schedule, means that his future could still be in jeopardy. Tottenham’s progression in the Carabao Cup may offer some hope for Postecoglou’s tenure, but with the team struggling in the league, it remains to be seen how much longer he will have the backing of the club’s board.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United striker who took charge at Leicester City in the middle of the season, is also feeling the heat after a string of poor results. Van Nistelrooy’s tenure at the King Power Stadium began with a promising 1-0 win over West Ham, followed by a hard-fought draw against Brighton. However, since then, Leicester has endured a nightmare run of results, losing seven consecutive matches in all competitions.
The latest of those defeats came in a 2-0 loss to Fulham, a result that left Leicester fans frustrated and increasingly disillusioned. Van Nistelrooy’s team has failed to score in any of their last four home league games, which is a major cause for concern, as goalscoring has been one of Leicester’s biggest issues this season. Despite a decent FA Cup win over QPR, Leicester’s lack of form in the league has put Van Nistelrooy under serious pressure.
Simon Jordan, the former Crystal Palace owner, spoke out about Leicester’s troubles, noting that the club’s poor form would undoubtedly lead to discontent among fans. Jordan pointed out that Leicester’s squad simply wasn’t performing well enough, but he also acknowledged that they weren’t “out of touch” with teams like Wolves, who are also struggling near the relegation zone. Nevertheless, Leicester’s inability to score goals and their inability to stem the tide of defeats has made Van Nistelrooy’s position increasingly precarious.
Leicester’s current predicament could lead to another managerial change, as the club is still in danger of relegation. The Foxes have already made a managerial change this season, with Steve Cooper only lasting a few months before Van Nistelrooy was brought in to try and turn things around. It’s still uncertain whether Van Nistelrooy will be given the time to fix the team’s problems, but with the club’s survival in the Premier League at risk, the pressure on him is growing.
Southampton is another club in trouble, with Ivan Juric struggling to get a positive reaction after taking over as manager in December. Juric replaced Russell Martin, who was sacked after a poor run of results. However, Juric has been unable to reverse the club’s fortunes, with Southampton failing to win any of their matches since his appointment. In fact, Southampton has lost all five of their league games under Juric, with the team looking devoid of confidence and unable to produce any consistent form.
One of the most concerning aspects of Southampton’s recent run has been their lack of goals. The team has scored just four goals in those five defeats, which is a major issue for a side already struggling in the bottom half of the table. In their most recent match, a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Southampton was competitive for large parts of the game but ultimately fell short. Juric expressed his frustration with the team’s lack of intensity, admitting that they were simply not competitive enough in key moments.
With Southampton facing a tough battle to avoid relegation, Juric’s position is under serious threat. The club is running out of time to turn things around, and the pressure is mounting on the manager to deliver results. Southampton’s upcoming fixtures are crucial, and Juric will need to find a way to improve his team’s performances if he is to keep his job. If the results don’t improve soon, the club could be forced to make another managerial change.
While these three managers are among the most under-pressure in the Premier League, they are by no means the only ones facing uncertain futures. Several other clubs in the league have already made managerial changes this season, and more could follow in the coming weeks.
Erik ten Hag was the first managerial casualty of the season, with Manchester United parting ways with the Dutchman at the end of October. Ten Hag’s dismissal came after a run of disappointing results, and Manchester United was struggling to maintain its usual standards. Similarly, Leicester made a change in November, parting ways with Steve Cooper and bringing in Van Nistelrooy, but that decision hasn’t worked out so far. Southampton also made a change in December, replacing Russell Martin with Juric, but there has been little improvement since then.
In January, the managerial merry-go-round continued with the departure of two more bosses. Julen Lopetegui left West Ham after a poor run of results, while Sean Dyche was sacked by Everton just days later. Both clubs are now in search of new leaders, as they fight to stay in the Premier League.
As the season progresses, more clubs may follow suit, particularly those struggling near the relegation zone. The Premier League’s competitive nature means that clubs can ill afford to allow their performances to dip for too long, and the pressure on managers to deliver results is always high. The sack race is expected to intensify as teams continue to battle for survival and European spots.
For all the managers currently under pressure, the key to survival in the Premier League is simple: results. Football is a results-driven business, and the ultimate measure of a manager’s success is whether they can deliver positive outcomes on the pitch. For Postecoglou, Van Nistelrooy, and Juric, the challenge will be to find a way to turn their teams’ fortunes around before it’s too late. Failure to do so could lead to even more managerial changes in the coming weeks, as clubs scramble to find the right man to guide them to safety or to more ambitious targets.
The pressure on these managers is immense, but the reality of Premier League football is that even the most established names can find themselves out of a job if results don’t improve. The sack race is well and truly on, and with so many managers under pressure, it remains to be seen who will be the next to face the chop.
