The pressures of big six Premier League management

One thing that can always be expected at the start of every season is that managerial casualties will inevitably come down the line. The Premier League sees a merry-go-round of managers every season, including the teams referred to as the Big Six. These clubs are Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Some of these teams change their manager more than often, and this has led to instability in their clubs. Chelsea and Manchester United are major culprits for managerial switches, with Manchester United having six permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, while Chelsea have had a massive 22 different managers since the year 2000. Chelsea once again have a new manager at the start of this Premier League season in Enzo Maresca, as do Liverpool, but in much different circumstances.

Arne Slot is taking over from Jurgen Klopp after nine years at the Anfield helm. In this article we will look at how previous managers have fared taking over a big six side for the first time to see what is ahead for Maresca and Slot.

The Struggles: Long-term manager replacements

In the Premier League era, there have been some of the greatest managers the game has ever seen, but inevitably, there comes a time when these managers have to be replaced. In 2013, Manchester United had the impossible task of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson after 26 years at the club. Arsenal had a similar task in 2018 when legendary manager Arsene Wenger left the club after 22 years. Liverpool have the same task this season.

Jurgen Klopp has left the club after nine years, although this is not as long as Ferguson or Wenger, his impact on Liverpool cannot be understated. Arne Slot has the hard task of replacing the Anfield icon, and if the tenure of Ferguson and Wenger replacements are anything to go by, it will be difficult. Ferguson was replaced by David Moyes, who struggled massively, only lasting ten months and having a win rate of 53%, losing 15 out of 51 games.

Wenger was replaced by Unai Emery, who lasted just 16 months in charge with a win rate of 55%. Both managers certainly could have been given more time due to the ageing squads they inherited. Slot should not have the same problems at Liverpool as he inherits a young and hungry squad that is capable of challenging for the title and ownership that will be patient.

Chelsea’s merry-go-round of managers

As mentioned, Chelsea have had 22 different managers since the turn of the century. This is a drastic number when you realise that Arne Slot will be Liverpool’s 22nd manager in their 132-year history. Chelsea have had success when changing their managers frequently over the years, with Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte all winning the league title in their first seasons.

Since Todd Boehly took ownership, this success of switching has not been seen. Boehly took over in May 2022 when Thomas Tuchel was at the helm. Tuchel would only last four months with Boehly and would be sacked in September. He was replaced by Graham Potter, who himself only lasted seven months. Frank Lampard took interim charge for the remainder of the 22/23 season before Mauricio Pochettino took over for the start of the 23/24 season. He would only last 1 season, so here we are again. Chelsea have entrusted Enzo Maresca as the man to take them over.

It has once again been a summer of incomings at Chelsea, leaving them with a squad of 43 players. Maresca has a hugely difficult task to gel the squad and improve on their dreadful last 2 seasons. He will need time but based on Chelsea history he will not get it.

In the Premier League, especially within the big six clubs, managers need time. Arteta was given time at Arsenal after back-to-back 8th-place finishes, and this time is being justified now. Manchester United have opted to give Erik Ten Hag more time instead of continuing to sack managers, we will wait to see if this decision will have a similar impact. Liverpool and owners FSG are known to give managers time, so Slot should feel comfortable in the fact that he can mould the team to what he wants. Chelsea are the antithesis of Liverpool so Marseca could be in for a short stint, hopefully he is given time.

Stay tuned for more weekly sports content on My Betting Site.

✒️ Jack Guing – Sports Expert

Jack Guing has a strong knowledge of the sport of GAA through the lens of performance analysis with multiple GAA teams. He holds a master's degree in sports performance. He has a huge love of all things sports, especially golf, soccer and GAA. He uses statistics and performance analysis in order to predict the outcome of matches and events.