Premier League: Managerial hot spot… Who goes next? Unai Emery, Dean Smith, Ole Gunnar Solskaer, Marco Silva,
The first managerial casualty of this Premier League season was recorded at the Vicarage Road stadium. In a way, that was right against the script as many expected Watford to pick from where they stopped last season.
Weep not for Jarvi Gracia, his rigidity with the strange 4-2-2-2 formation handed the opposition space on the flanks. Majority of the goals conceded by the Hornets were from the flanks.
His successor was destroyed by Manchester City in record-breaking 8-0 rout for the Citizens.
Does that mean he should be very afraid as he’s only picked a point in three?
Where does Manchester United and rank in this?
We have our thoughts below.
Five Premier League managers on the hot seat
5. Unai Emery – Arsenal (12 points from possible 21)
Unai Emery took on a very difficult job but he made light work of it last season.Had Arsenal managed to qualify for the Champions League, the former Sevilla manager would have been highly placed in the folklore at Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger left a team that was struggling with identity. And no one expected them to be fight for the top four but they flattered to deceive until the end of the campaign when the entire cookies crumbled, and badly too.
Arsenal have started averagely this season, but had they maintained their lead against Watford in that horrendous 2-2 draw, they’d very much be off this list.
That result turned the spotlight on the manager who for strange reasons has been lining up in defensive manners when he should go all out.
Arsenal went to Anfield and set up defensively, it was understandable given the strength of the Klopp's side. But no explanation whatsoever would be allowed for lining up defensively against a United side that was there for the taking and Spurs at home.
How do you defend with probably the best forward line in the Premier League?
There are growing concerns among the fans and if he doesn’t halt the rot and bring out the best in his men, he’d be very hot on this list.
4. Dean Smith – Aston Villa (5 points from possible 21)
You can’t have a return of five points from a possible twenty-one in the Premier League after spending well over £100m and not expect people to ask questions.Villa brought in players from every corner after their championship playoff success over Derby County but have been underwhelming in the Premier League with just a win in seven attempts.
Maybe no one expected them to get a result before the kickoff, but how did they lose their lead twice against a 10-man Arsenal?
Once again they led twice against Burnley and managed to share the spoils.
Not for the lack of efforts but with the quality in the squad, they shouldn’t be lying deep in the drop zone.
Whatever it is that needs to be done must be employed. The end is near for Dean Smith especially if he loses heavily at Norwich next Saturday.
3. Marco Silva – Everton (7 points from possible 21)
Everton is probably the most under-performing side in the Premier League with respect to investments over the past two seasons.The Toffees have lost three on the bounce in the league starting from the 3-1 loss at Bournemouth.
They hosted Sheffield and lost 0-2 and followed by a 3-1 reverse at home also to the reigning champions.
Next for Marco Silva is a trip to Burnley, a bogey team with so much home pride.
If Marco Silva fails to win, he no doubt will be in line for the sack.
With the owners at Goodison Park known for harsh decisions especially with their recent firings including that of Sam Allardyce who got them out of the relegation dogfight.
2. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer – Manchester United (9 points from possible 21)
Maybe he has a job for longer than his fans think, because looking at the resources available to him, it would be very unfair to show him the exit door.But must be a reason why he assured fans that he can work with what he has, hence the reason for his inclusion on this list.
Manchester United started with aplomb, destroyed Chelsea on the opening day of the Premier League.
But have since returned every matchday with questions around their style and players performance.
It would be a waste of time to reiterate how United sold key players without replacement. But is there an agenda by the board upstairs?
Are they trying to ease out players and then bring in their own men later?
Are they just clueless and got no idea of what next to do?
It’s a very hard time for Manchester United fans and it doesn’t look like ending anytime soon.
The current crop of players don’t have what it takes to deliver honors and it will be a very long season.
The fear is if they show the Norwegian the exit door, whoever they bring in would have to do magic with the current squad
Ole shouldn’t be too comfortable.
1. Steve Bruce – Newcastle United (5 Points from possible 21)
It won’t be of any kind of surprise to anyone should Newcastle get relegated.It’s the worst kept secret that went public the day they announced Steve Bruce as manager.
For all his experience, Bruce isn’t known for too many top-flight successes. But with many teams spending hard and Newcastle staying stagnant on all fronts, they will need someone in the mould of the departed Rafael Benitez to pull through on managerial tinkering front.
Leicester City hammered Newcastle last weekend with Isaac Hayden laying the foundations for that defeat with a terrible tackle that could have broken the limbs of Dennis Praet had he planted his legs on the ground.
Next for the Magpies is the visit of Manchester United to St James’s Park, two struggling teams.
Steve Bruce shouldn’t last the international break if he loses scandalously next Sunday in the Premier League.