Five Premier League managers under severe pressure
Gary O’ Neill was appointed as interim manager of AFc Bournemouth in August 2022. He immediately worked his magic as he got a clean sheet in his first match against Wolverhampton Wanders. O’ Neill got some great results as interim manager which included a home win against Leicester City and an incredible 3-2 win away from home against Nottingham Forest. Bournemouth scored five goals in their last two Premier League games before the mid-season World Cup break but lost the games against both Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United. The Premier League resumed on St Stephen’s Day and Bournemouth have conceded nine goals in defeats against Chelsea, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Brentford. Bournemouth’s next Premier League game is against Forest and they need to start picking up points quickly with only been one point outside the relegation zone.
David Moyes started his second term as West Ham manager in December 2019. West Ham have made massive strides under Moyes with finishing sixth in 2020/2021 Premier League season. 2021/2022 was a extraordinary season for The Hammers as they reached the Europa League semi-final and finished seventh in the Premier League. West Ham are currently in the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League after winning six matches in their group stage campaign. Europe has affected West Ham as they have only managed four wins in the 2022/2023 Premier League. West Ham’s next two Premier League games are against Everton at home & Newcastle away and Moyes needs a win from these games to lift the pressure.
Brendan Rodgers was appointed manager of Leicester City in February 2019. Rodgers impressed immediately with Leicester but missed a great opportunity as they finished fifth in the 2019/2020 Premier League season. Leicester were very consistent throughout the 2020/2021 Premier League but yet again they collapsed in the race for top four and ended up finishing fifth for a second season in a row. Leicester have suffered to keep key players at the club as they lost their instrumental goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, it also doesn’t help that Jamie Vardy is currently 36 years old and creative attacking player James Maddison has suffered with multiple injuries. Leicester are only two points above the relegation zone and it doesn’t get any easier for Brendan Rodgers as their next game is against an in form Brighton & Hove Albion.
Frank Lampard was appointed as manager of Everton in January 2022. Everton were in a relegation scrap throughout the 2021/2022 Premier League season but confirmed survival with a final home win against Crystal Palace. Everton have been shocking this season as they have only won two Premier League games at Goodison Park. Dominic Calwert-Lewin has struggled to maintain fitness and he has been a big blow as Everton . Everton have conceded six goals in their last two Premier League games against both Brighton and Southampton. Everton board were told not to travel to Goodison for their match against Southampton due to safety issues and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Lampard was sacked with Everton currently doomed in 19th position.
Graham Potter was appointed as Chelsea manager in September 2022. Potter started well as Chelsea manager but was given a reality check after losing 4-1 to Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Chelsea are struggling to score goals as they only had two shots on target in one of their latest Premier League games against Man City. Potter was disappointed with loan signing Joao Felix as he got sent off against Fulham for a late tackle. Chelsea are without key players N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling all due to injury. Chelsea are currently in 10th position in the Premier League table and top four is an uphill battle with currently been ten points behind fourth place.