20 December 2023 , 12:42
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The festive period is traditionally the most hectic time for Premier League clubs, with no time for teams to catch a breath.
Steve Cooper and Paul Heckingbottom have already been sacked by Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United respectively. But four other managers are feeling the heat, meaning Christmas will be likely be spent full of nerves as they search for an upturn in results.
With the January transfer window on the horizon, a run of bad form could spell the end for several top-flight managers. Here, Mirror Football looks at the quartet of bosses who are most at risk of losing their job over the next fortnight.
Erik ten Hag
It has been a dreadful second season in charge for Erik ten Hag. Having won the Carabao Cup last term, they crashed out in the last 16 this time around, they finished bottom of their Champions League group and are 11 points adrift of the top of the Premier League.
A goalless draw with Liverpool steadied the ship, though United were forced into ultra-defensive tactics for that game. The Red Devils now face a trio of huge games against West Ham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, with some already calling for his head.
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"If United want to dine at English football’s top table again, Ten Hag is not the manager to take them there. I don’t see a team that’s progressing after a good first season. I see one that’s regressing and I don’t see how that will change with Ten Hag in charge," former Liverpool star Danny Murphy recently told the Daily Mail.
Incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to have doubts around the Dutchman. Ratcliffe will take control of all sporting matters when he arrives and has already met with Graham Potter about taking over from Ten Hag.
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Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany has struggled to adapt to life as a Premier League manager (George Wood)Burnley cruised to promotion from the Championship, with Vincent Komany touted as a potential future replacement for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. But the Clarets first season back in the top-flight has been nothing short of a disaster.
They sit second bottom of the table, with just two wins and eight points from 17 games. Tough games against title challengers Liverpool and Aston Villa are coming over the festive period, with former Clarets star Paul Robinson insisting Kompany's squad do not have the quality to compete.
"He has been sticking to his style. They dominate possession at times and look good with the ball, but in the final third they just lack that quality and the decision-making with the final ball," Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily
"They are too easy to beat for me. It’s no coincidence they have beaten two teams in the Premier League – Sheffield United and Luton, two teams who came out of the Championship with them. Every other game they have struggled."
Roy Hodgson
Crystal Palace could look to move on Roy Hodgson from his stop-gap role (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)Having left Crystal Palace in 2021, Roy Hodgson returned last season to rescue them from relegation. He agreed to stay on for this season, but it has been a campaign of frustration for Eagles fans.
They sit 15th in the table, while only Burnley and Sheffield United have scored less goals than Hodgson's side. There is a growing feeling that Palace could look to make a change, especially with top target Steve Cooper now available.
Palace host Brighton on Thursday before games against Chelsea and Brentford. And if the Christmas period does not go well, former Manchester City star Michael Brown believes Hodgson would be happy to step down.
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He told BBC Sport: "They will be expecting more than where they are probably and to be higher up the table. But Roy Hodgson has come in as a stop gap really. I think if the right person was available, I’m sure Roy would wish everybody well."
Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has endured a mixed season in his first year as Chelsea boss (AFP via Getty Images)The safest of the four managers in this list is undoubtedly Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine only took over at Chelsea in the summer, but it has been a decidely mixed season so far.
While they have reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, the Blues sit 10th in the table, 17 points adrift of leaders Arsenal. It feels like a campaign of one step forward, two steps back for Pochettino, who is admittedly dealing with a huge injury list.
But owner Todd Boehly is known for having a trigger finger, having sacked Graham Potter fter just 31 games last season. That has led to former Blues star Pat Nevin raising doubts over his future ahead of games against Wolves, Crystal Palace and Luton.
"It is a new side, with young players, and Mauricio Pochettino has only been there for seven months. Obviously it was going to take time for the young new players to develop, but this is now getting very concerning. It can hardly be called a blip," he told BBC Sport.
"What hurts Chelsea fans more than that is watching Arsenal and Tottenham both flying high and serving up fabulous football. The natives are beginning to get a bit restless. The ownership will have to be brave to stand by Pochettino if this carries on."