Written by 
Samuel – October 19, 2024
With some facing mounting pressure and potential sackings, the article examines the factors contributing to their struggles and the challenges they must overcome to secure their positions. This article analyzes the performance of several European football managers in the early stages of the 2024/25 season.
The 2024/25 season is underway in major European Leagues, with coaches attempting to infuse their philosophy into the team’s style of play.
Many Managers have started the season on a high note, putting their team on a pedestal with less than fifteen games played, but others have fallen behind in terms of proper organization.
Every club aim to start the season on a strong form, which is why there have been numerous coaching changes at various clubs in anticipation of the new season, and club management now expects immediate returns in terms of the amount of money invested in the summer window.
However, some coaches have had a rocky start in their respective clubs, setting unfavorable records in the club’s history as they continue to struggle in the early stages of the season.
These managers are now at the risk of being fired if results do not improve in the near future, with internal discussions already underway within the club’s hierarchy.
Therefore, we will analyze different managers across European clubs who are at risk of being sacked in the early phases of the season.
Erik ten Hag
The Manchester United manager’s future at the club was a big topic of discussion between the club’s fans and the club’s administration this summer after the Dutch football manager led the Red Devils to FA Cup victory over League champions Manchester City in May.
Following the FA triumph, there were much debate about whether he should remain as the club’s head coach or have his contract terminated. Meanwhile, before the start of the season, the new club management confirmed his retention.
However, this does not appear to be working out as Manchester United continues to struggle across all competitions, they are presently fourteenth in the league table, five points from the relegation zone and ten points behind League leaders Liverpool heading into Match-day eight.
There are currently internal discussions over his probable future at the club, and the home match against Brentford will be a a key factor in determining his stay.
Robin Van Persie
The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward landed his first managerial role in May as the head coach of Dutch club, Heerenveen.
Nonetheless, his perfect dream start has not gone as planned, as his team continues to struggle in Eredivisie, sitting fifteenth on the log with eight points from eight League matches.
His team’s major dilemma this season stems from defensive struggles with the season’s early highlights being the concession of nine goals against AZ Alkmaar, which broke club history as one of the worse defeats ever.
An improvement in performance is highly needed from the Dutch man if he wants to keep his job as the season unfolds.
Gary O’Neil
The Wolverhampton manger is having one of the worst stints at the club as he searches for his maiden victory of the season.
Gary O’Neil appears to be on his way out of the club following a humiliating start of the season, sitting at bottom of the league table with one point from seven games.
He faces a crucial test against Manchester City, with a victory potentially saving his job and preventing him from becoming the first manager Premier League manager to be fired this season.
Ruben Baraja
Ruben Baraja is having a dreadful start to the season in Valencia, the Spanish retired footballer enjoyed a decent stint last season, finishing ninth with forty-nine points.
However, this season has been a disaster for him, with his team winning just one of nine league matches, sliding to eighteenth in the league table.
He is on track to become first manger fired in LaLiga this season if he failed to deliver desired results as the season progresses.
Verdict
Although the season is still in its early stages, we can see how certain managers have incorporated their philosophy into their team’s style of play and are achieving the desired results.
Meanwhile, for the aforementioned coaches having a difficult start to the season and are now on the verge of being fired early, they still have the opportunity to turn the tide as the season unfolds to protect their jobs and a decent finish for their respective clubs.