Except the club’s name is Arsenal, changing coaches following a series of poor and below-par results is the right and best thing to do in football in 2016. Matchday 7 is barely over and we already have a new coach in the EPL. Going by how things have panned out for some sides thus far, chances are that 3 or 4 new managers will be unveiled before matchday 10.
The battle to land a European spot or prevent landing a championship spot at the end of the season starts the moment the first ball is kicked, and it’s understandable why club owners and management won’t hesitate to part ways with any manager losing any of these battles.
Swansea was the first to wield the axe with the sacking of Francesco Guidolin prior to the last international break. Having secured just a win and a draw in 7 games, the Welsh club was just a spot away from relegation, and the Italian, who arrived in January to help secure their top-flight status last season was shown the exit door.
Here are 3 other managers who could get the sack sooner or later.
Aitor Karanka
The Spaniard has been instrumental since taking charge of Middlesbrough in 2013, but recent results could make him get the boot.
Having emerged as Football League Championship runners-up last term, Karanka helped Boro return to the top flight after a 7-year absence, and the season began on a commendable note as they recorded a win and 2 draws in August.
Picking up just a point in 5 games since then leaves Boro on 6 points and just a spot above the relegation zone. Not a good sign, and that definitely is pointing at an imminent sack for the 3-time Champions League winning player turn coach.
David Moyes
The former Everton, Manchester United and Real Sociedad coach isn’t having it easy in his 2nd stint in the EPL, and his Sunderland job doesn’t look like one that would last.
In 8 league games, the Black Cats are without a win – losing a whopping 6 games and drawing just twice. They are the only team not to have won any league game this term in the top flight, and it’s not likely they would be getting one before matchday 10. West Ham and Arsenal are Moyes’ next 2 games, and one of them could be his last as Sunderland’s coach.
Mike Phelan
Hull City began their campaign upon returning to the EPL on a fly note. A victory over Leicester City in the very first match of the season looked like the then coach-less side were riding on luck. But a 2nd consecutive win, which came at the expense of Swansea made the then caretaker manager Mike Phelan one to reckon with.
The former Manchester United assistant coach was named Premier League Barclays Manager of the Month for August having recorded 2 victories and a narrow 1 – 0 loss to United.
However, things haven’t gone quite as planned since then. 18 goals in 5 games have been conceded by a team that many considered defensively strong following their first 3 games which saw them concede just twice.
Phelan was confirmed head coach on the 13th of this month, but if no points are taken from Hull City’s next 3 league fixtures against Stoke, Watford and Southampton after 4 consecutive losses, Phelan might be gone as fast as his confirmation as manager was.