4 EPL Managers Who Could Be Sacked Soon, Erik ten Hag Leads Amid Poor Run of Results

4 EPL Managers Who Could Be Sacked Soon, Erik ten Hag Leads Amid Poor Run of Results

Martin Moses
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
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  • The job of manager of an English Premier League club is never safe or guaranteed
  • With highly competitive games weekly, consistent results are expected of coaches
  • Sports Brief looks at managers whose jobs in the top flight league could be at risk

The English Premier League will enter round 11 with the highlight fixture being Mauricio Pochettino returning to Tottenham Hotspur for the first time since he was unceremoniously sacked in 2019.

Pochettino has been off to a slow start as Chelsea boss, winning only three times in the first 10 games.

The defeat at Brentford last weekend left a sour taste in many fans' mouths, considering how the Blues dominated proceedings for large parts of the game.

Mauricio Pochettino, Erik ten Hag, Andoni Iraola, Vincent Kompany, Paul Heckingbottom
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettimo reacts during their game against Brentford on October 28. Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media.
Source: Getty Images

However, the job of the Argentine is understood to be 'safe' at the moment, with the club ownership understanding it will take a while to turn around the fortunes of the two-time European champions.

That is, however, not the case for some of Pochettino's colleagues who - with each passing matchweek - are treading on dangerous territory unless they start posting satisfactory results.

Sports Brief looks at the top four coaches who could get sacked soon.

4. Andoni Iraola - Bournemouth

That Gary O'Neill was let go just a few weeks before the start of the season is a decision not many understood. His replacement, Andoni Iraola has struggled to register consistent results to show they won't be flirting with relegation this season.

They are currently in 17th place, just one point above the drop. And it gets worse for the former Rayo Vallecano manager: he has a date with the defending champions, Manchester City next before playing new heavy hitters, Newcastle United.

3. Vincent Kompany - Burnley

Not many will disagree with the assertion that Vincent Kompany dominated the EFL Championship to the last man last season. The Clarets secured promotion easily, but the going has been tough in the elite league.

The Man City legend has only won once ahead of a tricky set of fixtures against London sides Crystal Palace, Arsenal, and West Ham United.

2. Paul Heckingbottom - Sheffield United

No surprise here, given they are rock bottom of the Premier League table - pun not intended. It was expected that the 5-0 demolition at Arsenal last weekend would be the final straw to Heckingbottom's spell.

The club has seemingly decided to give him more time despite rumours of Chris Wilder possibly returning to Brammall Lane. The Blades, who are yet to win any game this season, play Wolves and Brighton next.

1. Erik ten Hag - Manchester United

Well, of all the top six managers whose jobs are always under constant scrutiny, Erik ten Hag is feeling the most heat. The Red Devils made their worst possible home start since 1930 when Newcastle United walloped them 3-0 on November 1.

United have only won five of their first ten games. That, coupled with insipid performances and potential early elimination from the UEFA Champions League, leaves the Dutch tactician with a tighter-than-expected noose.

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Financial cost of sacking ten Hag

Sports Brief has also reported on how much it would cost United to sack ten Hag if results do not improve and the club is forced to lower the hammer on the Carabao Cup winner.

The former Ajax boss has a contract until June 2025 and is on a salary of £9 million per year. To sack him, the club would need to pay around what they paid Jose Mourinho in 2018.

Authors
Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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Erik Ten Haag