Four English Premier League managers ‘lead’ the sack race, with Leicester’s Steve Cooper the hot favourite to get the boot before next weekend’s international break.
Cooper, Southampton’s Russell Martin, Wolves’ Gary O’Neil and Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace have yet to lead their team to victory after six 2024-25 season matches.
Of the four, Cooper has come in for the harshest criticism from his fans. Many are unhappy that the sacked Nottingham Forest manager replaced the popular Enzo Maresca, who guided the team back to the top flight before leaving to join Chelsea on July 1.
Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna has also yet to taste victory but has four draws, and has the backing of the fans and the board.
The Foxes play Bournemouth on Oct 5 and will need a victory to save Cooper, or he could be gone before next week’s international break.
Leicester has a few injury doubts with midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who recently received clearance to play for Bangladesh, definitely out after suffering a dislocated shoulder in training.
Choudhury, who played for the England Under-21 team, received his Bangladeshi passport in August after stating his intention to play for the South Asian country. Last month, the English FA said it had no objection to him switching nationalities.
The good news for Leicester is that veteran centreback Jannik Vestergaard has recovered from an ankle injury and may return to the first XI against Bournemouth.
Besides these four winless managers, another boss under pressure is Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman has overseen three defeats from his six matches this season, two at home to Liverpool and Tottenham, its rivals for a top-four finish.
Ten Hag, however, still has support among board members, having won the League Cup and FA Cup in his two seasons.
Those trophies have not convinced the fans, particularly as the flair long associated with the Red Devils is missing.
United play high-flying Aston Villa away from home on Oct 6, and can’t afford another loss.
At the top of the table, Liverpool lead the way with 15 points, followed by Manchester City and Arsenal – the only two unbeaten teams left in the Premier League – a point behind.
Chelsea and Aston Villa are next on 13 points.
FIXTURES (Malaysian times)
Oct 5
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (7.30pm)
Arsenal vs Southampton (10pm)
Brentford vs Wolves (10pm)
Manchester City vs Fulham (10pm)
West Ham vs Ipswich (10pm)
Leicester vs Bournemouth (10pm)
Oct 6
Everton vs Newcastle (12.30am)
Aston Villa vs Manchester United (9pm)
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest (9pm)
Brighton vs Tottenham (11.30pm)
Main image: Leicester City
