25 managers took charge of a Premier League side this year. Most of those were probably favourite for the sack at one stage or another.
Here’s our assessment of how each of them got on with their teams this season.
Arsene Wenger: Hype
Yet again, Arsenal were ‘genuine title contenders’ but don’t worry about it because, yet again, they’re going to go one better next year. Again. At the 12th time of asking.
Paul Lambert: Crippled
The decent manager somewhere inside Paul Lambert got possessed by an all-consuming ball of fear thrown at him from the Holte End boo boys.
Tim Sherwood: Messiah
He wasn’t appreciated in his own town in his own time. But he has spread the gospel and he’s leading Villa to the promised land in his second coming.
Sean Dyche: Dignified
Everyone in the footballing world is just hoping that the Burnley boss gets another Premier League job that he deserves.
Jose Mourinho: Controlling
Got a lead early doors and just controlled his way to the finishing line even though they had the best team anyway and could’ve pummeled all in sight. Progressively less entertaining, progressively more effective.
Neil Warnock: Content
Every single time Neil Warnock comes up with a team, he just talks about how great it is to be going to some of these amazing grounds where they’re inevitably going to get thumped. Then he gets sacked.
Alan Pardew: Underrated
Single-handedly kept Newcastle afloat with just four and a half months to work with. Driven out of town for no reason so went to Palace and did the same in the same amount of time.
Roberto Martinez: Overrated
Took all the plaudits last year for doing exactly the same as David Moyes – with a few more passes. Then he finished in the bottom half.
Steve Bruce: Gracious
Made a lot of changes in the summer and it didn’t gel. Went down fighting, as lovable as ever.
Nigel Pearson: Breakdown
Nigel Pearson is an angry man. But, thankfully, he obviously has the team that responds to the worry that their manager’s head might actually, physically explode if they don’t get a move on.
Brendan Rodgers: Intensity
And quality. And purpose. And focus. Pressing, vision, technician, tiki taka – and all the rest. Somewhere in those bullshit buzzwords, Brendan Rodgers forgot to replace a world class striker and manage his team.
Manuel Pellegrini: Ancelotti
Won the league, came second, now it looks like he’ll be out in his ear, like poor Carlo at Chelsea. Should be allowed to rebuild the team.
Louis van Gaal: Timing
Was always going to look like the knight in shining armour replacing Moyes in the hot seat. Made improvements and possesses serious ambition. Easy to love for United fans, post-Moyes.
John Carver: Deluded
Best coach in the league. Won that cup final for Newcastle in the last game at home to West Ham. You know, the kind of final you get to when you don’t win in 10 whole games?
Harry Redknapp: Huffing
‘Arry went off in a strop the day after the transfer window closed after QPR spent very modestly for once. Read into that what you will.
Chris Ramsey: Blagged
Replaced Hazza and, with his first 11 games, he won one, drew two, and lost eight to secure their relegation. And to secure a nice three-year contract for himself in the process.
Ronald Koeman: Cunning
Southampton were gutted in the summer, tipped for relegation. The only player Koeman tried to hold onto though – Schneiderlin – he did so. Lallana, Lambert and Lovren haven’t set Liverpool alight and the one big genuine loss you’d have thought, Luke Shaw, was replaced by Ryan Bertrand who got into the PFA Team of the Year. Koeman knows more than us.
Mark Hughes: Revolutionary
Stoke are playing good football, Mark Hughes’ face isn’t as red as it used to be every week. Times are changing.
Gus Poyet: Apologetic
When you’re writing apology letters, just give it up.
Dick Advocaat: Trustworthy
Job done.
Garry Monk: Legacy
It’s obviously a thing in Swansea, you take charge of the team, you’re destined for bigger things. The new man is doing even better than any of his predecessors though. And no-one expected that.
Mauricio Pochettino: So-so
Spurs came fifth. Class.
Alan Irvine: Chancer
Punching above his weight, Irvine made it the whole way until the end of December. Longer than anyone probably could’ve imagined.
Tony Pulis: Predictable
Solid. Organised. Disciplined. Boring.
Sam Allardyce: Predictable
Does a decent job, gets over-excited, leaves on bad terms.
