Premier League Sacking Season: Meet the top-flight managers who are already fighting to keep hold of their jobs

While the duo of Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot might have made immediate impacts since arriving at Chelsea and Liverpool respectively over the summer, some Premier League bosses are in the midst of a public struggle.

Although we might only be set to enter October’s international break, it appears that a number of top-flight bosses are already fighting to keep hold of their jobs.

While the Crystal Palace hierarchy might have made it clear that Oliver Glanser will be handed more time in an attempt to steady the ship at Selhurst Park, other Premier League managers might not be as fortunate.

Despite still only being in the early stages of the 2024/25 campaign, we have taken a look at the top-flight bosses who find the pressure on their shoulders at a boiling point.

Erik ten Hag – Manchester United

While Manchester United might have eventually made the shock decision to stick with Erik ten Hag following their FA Cup success back in May, there is no doubt that many around Old Trafford are already starting to rue that choice.

Although the Red Devils might have snatched a dramatic last-gasp equaliser away at Portuguese giants Porto earlier in the week, they have continued to show a string of glaring issues and have remarkably registered just three victories from any of their first nine appearances across all competitions.

Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny on either side of September’s international break as they suffered respective 3-0 defeats at home against Liverpool and Tottenham, United have an almighty struggle on their hands in the race to even be considered a top-four contender.

Battling it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, ten Hag’s side have also continued to gain an unwanted reputation for their glaring defensive issues.

Shipping a trio of goals in their back-to-back appearances over the past week, it is no surprise that the Old Trafford hierarchy have already started to create a shortlist of potential replacements.

⚠️🗣 Sky ask Erik ten Hag: “If it doesn’t go right in these next two games, do you” still feel you will be here?”

Ten Hag: “I’m not anxious. We are together. We created a togetherness in the summer with the ownership and the leadership. We are all behind the agreement we had”. pic.twitter.com/rs3CFXpnyn

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 2, 2024

Julen Lopetegui – West Ham

While West Ham might have only appointed Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes’ successor over the summer, it is no secret that the former Wolves boss has come under a huge amount of scrutiny since arriving in east London.

Although the Spanish tactician might have broke the bank during the summer transfer window and promises a more progressive style of play at the London Stadium, Lopetegui has drastically failed to deliver.

Losing each of their first three Premier League showdowns at the London Stadium for the first time in their history, West Ham fans have started to make their frustrations clear.

Collecting just a single victory from any of their first six top-flight appearances and already reportedly having a bust-up with attacking talisman Mohamed Kudus following their 1-1 draw away at Brentford last weekend, Lopetegui has also failed to offer any kind of defensive improvements.

Remarkably registering just a single Premier League clean sheet since way back on January 2nd, it has been suggested that the West Ham hierarchy have informed the 58-year-old that the current situation will not be tolerated for much longer.

Julen Lopetegui says he understands West Ham United fans’ boos after his side’s 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea.#WHUFC

More from @RoshaneSport and @nnamdionye ⬇️

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 21, 2024

Russell Martin – Southampton

Although Russell Martin might have guided Southampton to an immediate Premier League return last season following their play-off final success against Leeds over the summer, the former Swansea boss has struggled to deal with the drastic leap up in class.

Enduring a nightmare against bitter local rivals Bournemouth earlier in the week as they fell to a 3-1 drumming at the Vitality, the Saints have an almighty uphill battle on their hands this year in the race to keep hold of their top-flight status.

Only putting a single point on the board from any of their first six Premier League appearances, Southampton have already shown some earth glaring struggles at the back.

Heading into September’s international break with another 3-1 loss away at Brentford, it has been heavily suggested over the past week that Martin could be heading for the St. Mary’s exit sooner rather than later.

Already pencilled in as a landslide relegation contender this season, things don’t get any easier for Martin’s downbeat squad as they travel to north London for a showdown against title contenders Arsenal this weekend.

“It’s impossible if you’re not going to fight”

Russell Martin didn’t hold back in criticising his Southampton side’s performance in their 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth 💥 pic.twitter.com/Y0hnRnYh67

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 1, 2024