EIGHT Premier League managers have already been sacked – and a host of others are starting to feel the heat as the season hots up.
Whether they are falling behind in the top-four, precariously sitting above the bottom three or desperately trying to climb out of the mire, the pressure is on.
Here SunSport looks at which bosses will be nervously looking over their shoulder as we reach crunch time.
BRENDAN RODGERS
From FA Cup hero to leading the sack race, it’s been a chastening time for the Leicester boss.
One win from six leaves them closer to bottom than fourth and battling it out for ninth, which would be their worst finish since 2018-19 when Rodgers replaced Claude Puel in the February.
Injuries, especially in defence, have crippled the Foxes, who have conceded the fifth most goals in the Premier League.
They remain in the Europa Conference League but were embarrassingly dumped out of the FA Cup by rivals Nottingham Forest, and defeat at Wolves on Sunday could prove critical for Rodgers.
MARCELO BIELSA
Victory at West Ham in January moved Leeds nine points clear of danger and looked to have got them back on track.
But just one point from their last three has closed the gap to six with a nasty run against Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham on the horizon.
Bielsa only signs one-year deals and has given no indication yet as to whether he wants to stay next season.
The Argentine will forever be loved in West Yorkshire and won’t be sacked, but there is a sense that he could be nearing the end of his time at Elland Road.
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RALF RANGNICK
Monday’s 2-0 win against Brighton relieved some pressure on the German and put Manchester United in pole position to claim fourth.
Securing Champions League football is a must for Rangnick’s short reign to be considered a success before he leaves the dug-out to become a consultant and help in the search for a new manager.
But with Arsenal just four points behind with three games in hand, the Red Devils can ill afford any more slip ups, starting at arch rivals Leeds on Sunday.
ANTONIO CONTE
Less than four months into the job and it already looks like Antonio Conte’s marriage of inconvenience with Tottenham will end in divorce.
The Italian was not happy with Spurs’ January business and is cutting an increasingly frustrated figure.
Three league defeats on the spin leaves them with an almighty battle to finish fourth.
And if there is no Champions League football at Tottenham next season, few would be surprised if Conte is not around beyond the summer.
So a trip to face Man City on Sturday night is just what he’s have wanted…
ROY HODGSON
Surely not even Watford would sack three managers in a season!
Then again, if anyone was going to, it would be them.
Veteran Roy Hodgson will still fancy his chances of dragging them out of the drop zone but, three games into his reign, it’s looking unlikely.
Brought in until the end of the campaign, the most likely outcome looks like relegation before the hunt starts for ANOTHER manager.
It’s unlikely Steven Gerrard will take pity on him when Watford travel to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
OTHERS
Thomas Frank’s job looks safe but Brentford’s form has tanked – the Bees have lost seven of their last nine – and they are in real danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight, especially given they have played more games than those around them.
Sean Dyche has been here and come out the other side plenty of times before but they’ve won one game all season, leaving the seven point gap to safety looking a challenge too far.
Patrick Vieira won rave reviews at the start of the season but Crystal Palace are without a league win since December 12 and need a couple of wins sharpish to ensure they face a stress-free spring.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
