The new Premier League season may have only gotten underway earlier this month, with Arsenal kicking things off on August 5th with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, but some managers might already be feeling the pressure after poor starts to the 2022-23 campaign.
Nobody wants to be the winner of the dreaded sack race, but football betting punters will already be placing their stakes on the first manager to leave their post this season, and there are a handful of coaches in contention for that unwanted title, with a couple more poor results potential beginning their reigns to an end.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at a few managers who could be feeling hot under the collar already.
Ralph Hasenhüttl – Southampton
It might come as no surprise that Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl is the favourite to be the first manager to their leave their post this season. The Austrian infamously lost 9-0 to Leicester City and Manchester United respectively in successive campaigns, but has so far survived the testing waters of the Premier League.
Just nine league wins and 10 defeats in their last 13 games last season had many believing Hasenhüttl would be sacked this summer. But while his entire coaching staff were let go, the 55-year-old was kept at the helm. He’s reportedly losing the support of the dressing room though, and it might not be much longer before he’s shown the exit door at St. Mary’s.
Frank Lampard
Avoiding relegation late on in last season was Frank Lampard’s saving grace at Everton. The former Chelsea boss took over on January’s transfer deadline day and moved quickly to bring in midfielders Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek, but neither made much of an impact as Everton finished 16th — the same place they were when Lampard replaced Rafa Benítez.
The Toffees lost on the opening day of the season at home to Chelsea at Goodison Park, which was nothing less than expected really. But after a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Lampard will need his side to perform better overall or he could be sacked for a second time in under two years— which would surely leave his career at a manager in serious doubt.
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers’ time at Leicester City has perhaps run its course. After successive fifth-place finishes and the club’s first ever FA Cup victory, beating Chelsea at Wembley in 2021, the Foxes looked like they were becoming a thorn in the side of the Premier League’s traditional big six.
However, it looks as though the Midlands outfit could have peaked after faring no better than eighth last year. Questions were asked of the former Celtic boss last season and a rocky start to this campaign, blowing a two-goal lead at home to Brentford on the opening day of the season and a 4-2 loss to Arsenal, would have done the Northern Irishman no favours.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is the final manager to feature on our list. The former Rangers gaffer enjoyed a decent start to life at Aston Villa after walking out on the Glasgow giants last November, winning four of his first six matches in charge of the Villa Park side to make an instant impression in the Premier League.
But things quickly turned sour and Gerrard’s win percentage of just 35% makes for dire reading. A 2-0 defeat away to newly promoted Bournemouth on the opening day of the season was a nightmare start for the scouse manager and he’ll certainly be feeling under pressure. A sacking at this stage of his career could put paid to any hopes of managing his beloved Liverpool down the line.
