Nagelsmann, Rodgers, Allegri and Europe’s most under-pressure managers

Robin Bairner

Updated: 19 Sept 2022 13:03 BST
4 min read

Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern Munich, 2022/23 — © ProShots

International breaks are traditionally a time during which clubs think about making changes to their management structure, and this September period is no different for Europe’s leading sides.

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In the Premier League, there have already been two managers to lose their jobs, with Scott Parker sacked by Bournemouth before Thomas Tuchel was surprisingly jettisoned by Chelsea after an indifferent start to the season.

More could follow in the fortnight ahead, with several head coaches around the continent finding themselves under threat.

Here are those managers whose jobs are on the line:

Very uncertain

These are managers who could be sacked immediately or if they summer a negative result in their next game.

Brendan Rodgers - Leicester

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is the hot favourite to be the next man sacked in the Premier League. He has been outspoken about the club’s disappointing lack of investment this summer, while on the field his team have taken just one point from a possible 21, leaving them at the foot of the Premier League standings.

Max Allegri – Juventus

Already there is discussion about who could replace Max Allegri at Juventus, with Thomas Tuchel high up many fans’ shortlist. Certainly, there is no great love for Allegri in Turin right now. After a 1-0 loss away to Monza, many supporters want him out the club, and only a board that doesn’t want to fire a coach in midseason – plus a huge payoff exceeding €25 million – is keeping him in a job.

Juventus are also 18th for pressing efficiency, 14th for ball recoveries and 17th for ball recoveries in opposition half.

Exhibit 8000 on why Allegri should be sacked, just how systemic the problems are and just how outdated the 🦖is

Stats courtesy of InStat
— Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) September 19, 2022

Marco Giampaolo - Sampdoria

Marco Giampaolo is at risk of the sack after a disastrous start to the season with Sampdoria. Samp have taken just two points from their opening seven games and currently find themselves bottom of Serie A. They have lost three games in a row and already conceded 13 goals.

Niko Kovac - Wolfsburg

Kovac is only eight matches into his reign as Wolfsburg boss – but there might not be too many more to follow after a dreadful start to the season. His side have picked up only five points in the Bundesliga thus far and have been misfiring offensively. Indeed, no team in the Bundesliga has scored fewer goals.

Gerardo Seaone – Bayer Leverkusen

Swiss boss Gerardo Seaone could soon discover that memories are short in football. After leading Leverkusen into the Champions League this season via a third-placed finish, he finds himself under acute pressure after a wretched start to the campaign. His side have won only two matches in all competitions, including a DFB Pokal defeat to Elversberg of the 3.Liga. Given a vote of confidence.

Uncertain

Unlikely to be sacked imminently, but could be under pressure if they suffer anther loss or two.

Julian Nagelsmann – Bayern Munich

Standards are high at Bayern Munich, so a four-match winless run in the Bundesliga automatically puts the coach under scrutiny, especially when it leaves FCB five points off the pace at the top of the table. A Champions League win over Barcelona means he retains credit, but pressure is mounting even if the board continue to back him.

Peter Bosz – Lyon

Lyon appoint former Ajax and Dortmund boss Peter Bosz — © ProShots

Lyon controversially elected to keep Peter Bosz in charge after a disappointing first season, and the signs are the second may not be any better. OL have lost their last three Ligue 1 matches, though a much-improved display in losing 1-0 to PSG on Sunday has at least given them some optimism the situation is not terminal.

Julen Lopetegui – Sevilla

Lopetegui still has plenty of credit in the bank at Sevilla, but that does not take away from what has been a disappointing start to the season. His side’s sole win this term has come away to Espanyol, while they have suffered chastening defeats against Barcelona and Manchester City. A 0-0 draw in Copenhagen leaves their Champions League progress doubtful.