New Delhi: Almost one third of the 2024/25 Premier League season is in the history books and slowly and steadily we’re getting a clear picture on what the league would look like come May 2025. Liverpool currently sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table after one of their best starts to a league campaign as they currently hold a five point advantage over their nearest challengers.
While things seem rosy amongst teams at the top of the league table, it’s a whole different story when it comes to the bottom half of the table. There are certain teams that aren’t performing as well as they should be doing, leading to a lot of unrest amongst fans and team management alike. All of Wolves, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Ispwich Town only recently got their first wins of the season, indicating their slow start.
Reports from reputed English outlet The Athletic, the future of certain Premier League managers have been made clearer following the recent round of Premier League fixtures. Till now only Manchester United have sacked their manager amongst clubs from the English top flight and if The Athletic is to be believed, there are one or two more names that could join the Dutchman on the list.
1) Julen Lopetegui (West Ham)
Starting with the club that everyone had huge expectations from heading into the season, West Ham are struggling bad in the league after 11 games of the season. The Hammers currently occupy the 14th spot on the league table with only three wins in their first 11 games. They have already suffered five losses this season and the only manager to get sacked this season, got the boot when his team were down in 14th place.
Julen Lopetegui’s job stability appears delicate amid fan dissatisfaction with recent results. Though a source noted that the club “likes to honor contracts,” West Ham’s management is under pressure to deliver, with increased scrutiny on sporting director Tim Steidten’s summer acquisitions. They spent huge money on recruitments in the summer and expected better results. The exact words for the Spaniard by The Athletic, were, “He lives on for now, but it is delicate there.”
2) Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace had a remarkable end to last season after Oliver Glasner took charge from outgoing boss Roy Hogdson which makes their awful start to this season even more remarkable. The Eagles are currently stuck in the relegation zone with just one win in the season till now but nothing has gone to their plan since Michael Olise’s exit to Bayern Munich. Glasner has generally had a slow start to spells at his previous clubs but time might run out for him soon if results don’t improve.
However, his job doesn’t seem to be under any real threat currently as Glasner is said to have full support from ownership according to The Athletic, yet there’s an acknowledgment that summer spending could have been more effective. Despite recent struggles, they are committed to progressing with Glasner. It doesn’t look like the German manager is going anywhere in the near future.
3) Gary O’Neil (Wolves)
Wolves are lucky not to be occupying the last spot in the league table after their horrible start to the season, thanks to their first win of the season this past weekend. The midlands club haven’t had the best of luck this campaign and have already conceded a whopping 27 goals this season. Manager Gary O’Neil has come under a lot of scrutiny and a few more questionable results can get him the sack.
The Athletic states that he remains in a precarious position. While his team secured a vital win recently, there’s internal debate over whether results reflect the talent available. With notable managers like Graham Potter and David Moyes on the market, Wolves may be evaluating their options. A run of winnable fixtures could prove crucial for O’Neil’s future. “It is perhaps a bit more jeopardy for Gary O’Neil” were the exact statements in the report.
4) Russell Martin (Southampton)
Speculation over Russell Martin’s future at the club has died down recently ever since the club has produced some decent performances even if the results didn’t necessarily favour them. The Saints are currently placed at the bottom of the league table with only one win to their name and have scored the lowest number of goals this season in the league. Despite all this, the fans are still backing their manager and it seems like the board agrees with those sentiments.
The board doesn’t seem to be in a rush to take any decision regarding Martin’s future. They regard him highly as he brought them back into the league and he plays an expansive brand of football. While the team’s recent form and daunting fixture list have raised concerns, the ownership acknowledges the need for squad improvements come January, with some believing Martin deserves stronger player support. Martin’s future seems to be safe from the looks of it for the near future.
We’re almost through with one third of the Premier League season and the future of certain managers in the league hangs in the balance. Dive in to find out whose job is safe and who can face the sack soon! Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
