Managergeddon Rages On: Howe and Slot Face Growing Scrutiny in Premier League's Chaotic Season

The Premier League has gone absolutely mad with the sackings. We're living through managerial bedlam and frankly, we're here for every second of it.

Since September, six different clubs have ripped up their managerial appointments. One outfit has done it three times already. Four different gaffs at one club? That's genuinely bonkers. But Tottenham are circling like vultures, determined to smash that record.

The heat has cooled somewhat on West Ham's Nuno Espirito Santo, though Eddie Howe has overshadowed Thomas Frank, who's taken a step back himself. Sean Dyche has already been shown the door and narrowly avoided the dubious honour of the Spurs job. Igor Tudor lasted just six weeks before getting the chop, and let's be honest—does anyone truly believe Roberto De Zerbi will honour his commitment to next season's promotion bid? Once Spurs' inevitable relegation becomes mathematically certain, Ryan Mason's surely waiting in the wings.

Frank, naturally, pitched up at Spurs only last summer to replace Ange Postecoglou, who's since been appointed and sacked by Nottingham Forest. The true state of affairs at the elite clubs is laid bare by the fact two of the Big Six have ditched their managers not for poor results, but because they dared question their board's supposed infallibility. It's thoroughly modern football, and the madness isn't finished yet.

The Precarious and the Promising

Nuno Espirito Santo (West Ham) - What a year it's been. Manager of the year at 2024's close, yet by the end of 2025 he looked destined for a second sacking before Christmas even arrived. Seven points from three matches against Newcastle, Burnley and Bournemouth transformed the outlook dramatically. But his inexplicable conservative approach to a home fixture against a Liverpool side reeling from three consecutive three-goal hammerings proved characteristic—functional, defensive, and a reminder that he's here as a firefighter in a marriage of pure convenience with an impatient fanbase.

The pendulum swung again in 2026. A result at Spurs proved the catalyst, parlayed into an impressive Sunderland victory. Despite a late sucker-punch at Chelsea, there were enough encouraging signs to suggest West Ham could drag others into the mire. They've essentially sent Burnley down with a Turf Moor win, and suddenly there's genuine hope—perhaps even the delicious prospect of surviving whilst relegating Tottenham themselves.

Rob Edwards (Wolves) - Has somehow made them less dreadful. The opening win of the season, a demolition of a wretched West Ham, came as genuine catharsis. There were hints of life even in defeats at Arsenal and Liverpool before nicking a point at Old Trafford. Six points from four games represents a seismic shift after managing two from the previous 18. A four-game losing streak followed, though a peculiar 0-0 at Nottingham Forest (after 35 shots) proved at least they can compete. Edwards' real work lies ahead next season rather than salvaging this one.

Regis Le Bris (Sunderland) - The promoted outfit has been genuinely impressive. Even a humbling defeat at Old Trafford couldn't puncture the mood. Nine victories already and more points than any promoted-relegated side managed across the entire 2024-25 campaign. Four points from Chelsea and Arsenal has exceeded expectations, the comeback win over Bournemouth was pure quality, and the double derby triumph over Newcastle cements manager-of-the-year credentials for one of the season's pre-season sack-race favourites.

Unai Emery (Aston Villa) - An extraordinary campaign so far. Started as an outside shot, jumped to third favourite after a six-match winless run left Villa looking hollow. Then came four straight Premier League victories, lifting the mood at a club that seemed to have exhausted something special without capturing the trophy it deserved. The run peaked at 12 wins in 13 league games, propelling them into genuine title contention. The Emirates first-half display suggested they might sustain it, but a sticky patch has ended that talk. Home defeats to Everton and Brentford, particularly galling given Villa Park's fortress status, represent a limp conclusion to their charge. They look spent now, which threatens both Champions League qualification via the league and their Europa League silverware hopes—silverware that Emery's reign arguably merits.

Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) - Remained remarkably unsackable even during relegation-form stretches. Now they're doing the other thing they do—dramatic 3-2 victories over Spurs and Liverpool, wins against Wolves and Everton. A streaky manager of a streaky team, but with relegation now a distant memory, he's firmly in credit and back contending for those ridiculous Big Six opportunities. He's apparently set sights higher than Spurs anyway—an intelligent decision.

Daniel Farke (Leeds) - The argument persists that Leeds should have made drastic changes in the summer despite their strong Championship campaign. Farke's Premier League record reads poorly—six wins and 26 points from 49 Norwich matches—yet he'd delivered 94 and 97-point promotions with them. He's fighting his own history whilst facing expectation levels unlike any other promoted club in this era.

Defeats at Burnley and Forest, another painful loss to Villa after going ahead, saw Leeds tumble into the bottom three. Yet that brutal run has gone surprisingly well—narrow Manchester City loss, rare Chelsea home win, Liverpool comeback draw. The 4-1 Palace demolition and decent Sunderland point suggested something sustainable was emerging. A wild 4-3 Newcastle defeat earned instant classic status despite the heartbreak. An irritating Sunderland home loss and goal-scoring drought have invited fresh nervousness. A handful of goalless draws will probably keep them above Spurs, but it's a gamble.

Michael Carrick (Manchester United) - Seemingly destined for the permanent role rather than the sack. Yet could he pay the ultimate price for failing to end the endless managerial merry-go-round?

Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton) - Genuine relegation danger seemed possible weeks ago, though that's now off the table. Disenchantment remains strong, and he's taken to airing grievances regularly between eye-catching victories. One win in 13 games preceded four wins in five to sit mid-table. His long-term future rests on whether they climb further or sink back into the bottom half.

Pep Guardiola (Man City) - His prominence in these discussions stems from the genuine possibility he could walk away after an almost unthinkably long tenure. When City looked like missing the title entirely, it felt distinctly possible. Yet with Arsenal collapsing and a transitional City team genuinely capable of a domestic treble, surely he's finishing this season.

Marco Silva (Fulham) - Became a hot favourite when November whispers began, yet an impressive Sunderland win and restorative Tottenham visit sorted matters when relegation threatened. A fine run pulled him back from the brink, though they've been patchy since. We desperately want Silva and Fulham to remain together forever.

Scott Parker (Burnley) - Feels like Burnley have spent the season stuck between two options without deciding either. Do they genuinely fight relegation with Parker, or accept their likely fate and keep him for the Championship campaign? They're surely past the point of no return now. Sacking Parker would seem pointless given his Championship pedigree.

Liam Rosenior (Chelsea) - Sounds like a High Performance Podcast guest with his bizarre commentary about ageing men and "respecting the ball" before pre-match huddles around referees. His team lost to Newcastle by one goal—an outlier given they've lost four other top-tier matches by three-goal margins (twice to PSG, plus Everton and Manchester City). Beating Port Vale silly in the FA Cup doesn't erase all that. At Chelsea, he could easily be gone before season's end. They're a major club; they should have a manager, not an influencer.

The Danger Zone

Eddie Howe (Newcastle) - Newcastle have been dreadful for chunks of this campaign, and Howe's been fortunate that more dramatic collapses elsewhere kept him out of focus. But if Newcastle limp over the line as an unconvincing lower mid-table side, questions will surface—though not from the press, who adore him. It's a big summer ahead, and without Tottenham providing cover, Newcastle will face proper scrutiny.

Arne Slot (Liverpool) - His response to Liverpool's mini-crisis becoming actual crisis was poor. He went full Klopp with salty loser behaviour when Manchester United altered tactics to challenge them properly, and the headloss continued after a chaotic 3-2 Brentford defeat. He raged over the Cody Gakpo non-penalty and Virgil van Dijk penalty decisions. It's concerning that pressure triggered such instant meltdown from a manager who's beaten Real Madrid.

Defeats at Manchester City and Nottingham Forest (who'd never shut Liverpool out at Anfield in the league before), plus a new low against PSV, compounded matters. A 1-1 against Sunderland lacked backbone, and the Leeds collapse was spineless—all before the Mo Salah bombshell suggesting either he or Slot must go. Salah's indeed leaving, which has slightly eased immediate pressure. Four consecutive wins cooled things temporarily, though victories over Spurs and Wolves lacked authority. Careless draws against Leeds and Fulham followed. Newcastle provided relief, but the farcical Manchester City conclusion put Slot back in the crosshairs. Defeats at Wolves and Brighton, bracketing a humiliating Tottenham home draw with late drama, have the knives sharpened. He probably survives the season despite FA Cup humiliation at Manchester City and wild departure rumours.

Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) - Definitely departing at season's end, possibly before given the relationship breakdown. He's among Manchester United's permanent manager considerations, plus Liverpool and Spurs are watching. He deserves a big club opportunity—shame they're all so thoroughly dysfunctional. Palace have dragged themselves from relegation danger but remain miserable, achieving the dubious distinction of FA Cup elimination by a sixth-tier side. Whether this timing is disastrous or clever depends on those Big Six options. The prospect of him walking before his contract expires feels genuinely real.