The Premier League sack race: which manager will go first?

The National Student

As is part of every Premier League season, managers will come and go as various teams struggle to either survive or meet more ambitious expectations. This year will likely be no different, so there’s only one question:

Who’s going first?

Paul Clement - Swansea

It’s always tough to lay the blame on the manager and I think it’s harsh to do so here. Clement has done well with Swansea thus far, but the departure of their Icelandic talisman, Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Llorente’s injury, means the Swans are without a top-class goalscorer.

Despite earning a point at Southampton they were battered by United. Although it was a goal rush at the end, it didn’t seem Swansea ever truly found a foot-hold in the game. They’re a pick to go down and as such I can’t see Clement surviving long at the helm of a sinking ship.

Frank de Boer - Crystal Palace

De Boer has only been in charge since the 25th of June, but with 2 losses from 2, Including an embarrassing 0-3 loss, at home, to the newly-promoted Huddersfield, it doesn’t look good.

Benteke is misfiring, and the side isn’t clicking just yet. It would’ve been 0-4 against Huddersfield if not for a marvellous Fosu-Mensah tackle. Without a smoothly-working team, and somebody to score, it’s going to be tough. I don’t have faith Frank de Boer can bring this, and sadly I think he’ll go.

Jürgen Klopp - Liverpool

Despite showing great proficiency at Dortmund, Klopp has been pretty unimpressive at Liverpool. He’s extremely likeable, and passionate, but sadly that doesn’t mean results.

A lot was expected of the German and, despite finishing fourth last year, they really haven’t met their targets. Lucky to draw at Watford, and with a meagre 1-0 home victory against a lacklustre Palace, it doesn’t look good on Merseyside for Klopp. With his squad, more has to be achieved and I think he’s close to blowing his chance.

Rafa Benítez - Newcastle

Unable to save the Magpies from the drop two seasons ago, (to be fair with little time,) he guided them to a storming Championship-winning season last year. Now that they’re back in the top flight, they’ll want to stay. However, losses at home to Spurs and away at Huddersfield aren’t good showings.

Although faith should be shown in Benítez, the desire to stay might outweigh this and see him leave - hopefully not out of a panic, if be the case. But given their start and their, in my opinion, fairly average squad, Benítez will find a challenge ahead of him.

Football’s a funny game, and you can never quite know what’s going to happen. Curve balls are just around the corner. United could implode and say goodbye to Mourinho, or Chris Hughton could guide Brighton to a blinder of a season. We’ll just have to wait and see.