The new Premier League seasons means plenty of top talent arriving for vastly inflated transfer fees, your team that were sh*te last year probably still being sh*te and the looming spectre of managers losing their jobs.
Five clubs have seen a change on the bench over the summer, with Jurgen Klopp bidding farewell to Liverpool and Enzo Marseca leaving newly promoted Leicester City to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea.
Just three top-flight bosses left their jobs after the first ball was kicked in 2023/24, with Paul Heckingbottom and Steve Cooper sacked by Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest before Christmas, as Roy Hodgson moved on from Crystal Palace in February.
Who will press the eject button first this season? Paddy has you covered with full odds on the Next English Premier League Manager to Leave, which you can find on the Paddy Power website and app. Here’s our summary of the leading contenders for the sack.
Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag looked certain to leave Man United at the end of last season, but he remains in place at Old Trafford. A sliding-door moment in the FA Cup final, as United edged out rivals Man City, saved the Dutchman, and the Red Devils hierarchy gave him another chance.
A solid opening to the campaign would have eased the pressure, but more inconsistency will not be tolerated, as he has plenty to prove in Manchester. An away defeat to Brighton and a home humbling by Liverpool before the international break has ramped that pressure back up again.
Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche showed his belly for the battle last season as Everton survived points deductions to maintain their unbroken Premier League status.
The Toffees invested in their squad over the summer, but managerial pressure is inevitable at Goodison Park despite Dyche’s success in dodging relegation. However, their start to the season has been abysmal, throwing away a two-nil lead against Bournemouth to lose 3-2 being their latest casualty.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca powered the Foxes to the Premier League and immediately jumped ship to take charge at Chelsea. The Italian caught the eye in Leicester, but he is unproven at the highest level, and Chelsea has a reputation for being trigger-happy with managers.
The ongoing circus over transfers and a dressing room bursting at the seams with an excess of players will only ramp up the pressure on him. Good results will be needed to restore some calm.
Julen Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui famously left Wolves on the eve of last season due to frustration over transfer funding at Molineux. He’s back in the Premier League in 2024/25, as West Ham opted to bring him in as David Moyes’ successor, but with the Hammers backing him with some big transfers, he needs to produce results.
Ange Postecoglu
‘I’m not your mate, mate’. Ange Postecoglu has bullishly claimed that second seasons are where he starts to shine, with the Australian confident he can end Tottenham’s 16-year wait for a trophy.
A media darling in his debut campaign for his affable and straight-shooting in press conferences, we all know that can change quickly, mate.
Nuno Espirito Santo
Nuno Espirito Santo was parachuted into Nottingham Forest to replace Steve Cooper in December, and he achieved his objective of guiding them to Premier League safety.
The Portuguese coach’s first full season at the City Ground poses a different set of challenges. Forest are expected to be in a relegation dogfight again, and he will be under pressure if they struggle with the early pace.
Russell Martin
Southampton hauled themselves back into the Premier League via the playoffs at the end of last season as Russell Martin took his first shot at the top flight.
The former Swansea boss has plenty of support amongst the Saints fans, but this will be a real test of his credentials.
Eddie Howe
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe enters his third full season at St. James’ Park with his stock still high despite missing out on European qualification at the end of 2023/24.
Howe’s top four-four finish in 2022/23 and some solid overall progress mean the former Bournemouth manager is not in immediate danger, but that could change if the Magpies struggle to take flight in the season’s opening weeks.
Perhaps the main threat to Howe’s position at Newcastle is him being a leading contender in the next England manager odds market.
Steve Cooper
Marseca’s switch to Stamford Bridge opened up a vacancy at the King Power Stadium, which Cooper seized despite his links to Leicester’s local rivals.
His arrival somewhat underwhelmed Foxes fans, who were frustrated by Maresca’s exit. He will hope to hit the ground running in a fresh spot in the East Midlands.
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