Eight Survivors: Which Long-Serving Premier League Manager Faces the Axe Next?

The Premier League's managerial merry-go-round shows no signs of slowing. Marco Silva's exit means Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bournemouth, Fulham and Crystal Palace will all welcome fresh faces come August, but the real question is: who among the surviving eight longest-tenured bosses gets shown the door next?

It's a select group—just eight managers have weathered a full campaign at their respective clubs. Here's how we rate their job security as the new season approaches.

8. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)

Doubts about Arteta's position evaporated the moment he claimed Arsenal's first Premier League title in over two decades. With one year remaining on his contract, an extension feels imminent, and frankly, it's hard to imagine anywhere else tempting him away. He holds the keys to a well-funded kingdom at the Emirates, and Arsenal's trophy drought is history. The only realistic exit would be if a European heavyweight came knocking—but even then, the Gunners' project appears too compelling to abandon.

7. Unai Emery (Aston Villa)

Champions League qualification, a European trophy, and the affection of the Villa Park faithful have established Emery as the club's finest manager in the modern era. He's ticked every box the board has set, and frankly, why would he covet a "bigger" opportunity? Villa aren't skint, and his Arsenal experience taught him that prestige doesn't always translate to success. Only a spectacular implosion could cost him his job.

6. Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)

The board's willingness to hand Hurzeler a three-year contract despite a rough patch speaks volumes about their faith. He's proved an inspired appointment for the Seagulls, exceeding expectations despite the inevitable growing pains of youth. European football awaits as his next test, but even a mid-table finish next term seems unlikely to trigger the ejector seat.

5. Keith Andrews (Brentford)

The converted set-piece coach was odds-on favourite to be first through the exit door last season, yet he silenced the doubters entirely. While a dip in form is probable as rivals strengthen, Andrews has accumulated enough goodwill to weather it. The Brentford hierarchy clearly backs him.

4. Daniel Farke (Leeds)

Remarkably, Farke survived promotion-day sacking rumours to remain at Elland Road beyond a year later. Leeds mounted an impressive promotion push and stayed up by eight points, yet the German remains on precarious ground. Any manager is just a bad run of form away from the chop—if Leeds find themselves in a relegation dogfight by Christmas, Farke could be vulnerable.

3. Regis Le Bris (Sunderland)

The Wearside club's bold April threat—that Le Bris could be sacked without European qualification—illustrated both their ambition and his precarious position. He delivered on that front, but juggling continental commitments with Premier League survival has claimed many scalps. Le Bris has passed one test; a second setback could prove fatal.

2. David Moyes (Everton)

The table shows Everton 13th, which sounds respectable enough, yet a palpable disconnect lingers among the fanbase. Moyes rescued them from the drop, earning defensive credit, but Goodison Park's inhabitants are being warned: be careful what you wish for. Brighton and Sunderland qualified for Europe while Everton stalled; that gap raises uncomfortable questions about whether Moyes can propel them forward. He merits another season's opportunity, at minimum, but backward movement could seal his fate.

1. Eddie Howe (Newcastle)

A luxury Northumberland hotel hosted a summit between Howe and Newcastle's Saudi hierarchy—and the axe remained sheathed, for now. It was grim on Tyneside: derby humiliation against Sunderland, twelfth-place mediocrity, expensive recruits that look overpriced, Champions League embarrassment, and silverware drought. Any other manager would've been terminated, but Howe's previous credit kept him employed. His future remains genuinely uncertain. Newcastle face major departures—Sandro Tonali eyeing Arsenal, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall potentially exiting, even Bruno Guimaraes tempted elsewhere—and the summer rebuild carries inherent risk. Howe may not receive the luxury of time to implement his vision.