Premier League sack race: who’s safe and who’s skating on thin ice?

October 31, 2025 Kris Isaksen

With the new Premier League season well underway, the pressure cooker environment of top-flight football is already heating up. From rock-solid job security to managers teetering on the brink, here’s where every boss stands in the ever-volatile sack race.

20. Mikel Arteta – Arsenal

Arteta may not have ended Arsenal’s long wait for a title yet, but he’s still held in high regard by the club. A Champions League semi-final and strong start to the current campaign mean he’s under little threat.

19. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City

Despite relinquishing the title and losing key players like De Bruyne, Guardiola remains untouchable. A fresh contract and ambitious signings have only reinforced City’s trust in him.

18. Andoni Iraola – Bournemouth

After guiding Bournemouth to a top-half finish and beating giants like United and Arsenal, Iraola’s reputation is soaring. The only danger for the Cherries is someone bigger snapping him up.

17. Regis Le Bris – Sunderland

Le Bris has defied the odds with Sunderland, bringing tactical flexibility and composure to the newly promoted side. Backed by a strong squad and good early form, he looks set for a stable season.

16. Oliver Glasner – Crystal Palace

Winning the FA Cup and going 19 games unbeaten makes Glasner one of the safest managers in the division. His brave tactical choices and fearless leadership have transformed Palace.

15. Thomas Frank – Tottenham Hotspur

Frank is proving he belongs at a top-six club, even if some Spurs fans were skeptical. Tottenham’s early improvement suggests he’s the right man to lead their rebuild.

14. Enzo Maresca – Chelsea

Maresca’s brought silverware to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea’s trigger-happy board is never predictable. He’s earned breathing room, but long-term security is never guaranteed in west London.

13. Keith Andrews – Brentford

Thrown in at the deep end after Thomas Frank’s exit, Andrews is making a decent fist of it so far. Early wins — especially over Liverpool — have earned him time, but scrutiny remains.

12. David Moyes – Everton

Back at Goodison Park and making an impact, Moyes has stabilised Everton amid financial turmoil. A mid-table finish and exciting signings have reignited optimism on Merseyside.

11. Eddie Howe – Newcastle United

Trophies and Champions League football have bought Howe significant goodwill. While Saudi ambitions demand results, his consistent progress keeps him comfortably in post.

10. Fabian Hurzeler – Brighton & Hove Albion

The league’s youngest boss had big shoes to fill, but an eighth-place finish and resilient mentality have impressed. One big loss aside, Brighton are looking well-drilled and competitive under his watch.

9. Ruben Amorim – Manchester United

A rocky start put Amorim under the spotlight, but three straight wins have turned things around — for now. Backed by INEOS and a refreshed squad, his future still hangs in the balance.

8. Unai Emery – Aston Villa

Emery has revived Villa’s fortunes but inconsistency and financial concerns could derail progress. Despite European ambition, scoring struggles have put added pressure on his tenure.

7. Sean Dyche – Nottingham Forest

Dyche returned to his old stomping ground and made an immediate impression. A big task lies ahead, though, and Forest’s notoriously fickle ownership means his job is never completely safe.

6. Marco Silva – Fulham

Silva’s overachieved with limited resources, but player sales and patchy form have stirred concern. With just a year left on his deal, Fulham’s board may soon face a tough decision.

5. Scott Parker – Burnley

Parker has improved Burnley defensively, but staying up remains a tall order. With a thin squad and top-flight survival uncertain, the pressure is building quickly.

4. Daniel Farke – Leeds United

Despite winning promotion, Farke still hasn’t fully convinced the owners. His patchy Premier League history and early struggles leave him with little room for error.

3. Arne Slot – Liverpool

Slot's reign started brightly with a title, but a dreadful run of form has changed the mood. Big-money signings are failing to click, and fans are beginning to ask questions.

2. Nuno Espirito Santo – West Ham United

Nuno Espírito Santo — Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Nuno has yet to deliver a win at West Ham and inherits a club still finding its feet after Potter’s short-lived tenure. His early results suggest he’s already on borrowed time.

1. Vitor Pereira – Wolverhampton Wanderers

No manager is under more pressure than Pereira, whose team has just two points from nine games. Despite early hope, Wolves are already in a tailspin — and so is his job security.