5 managers across Europe whose jobs are currently under threat
Though club football has given way to the international break, the past week or so has not kept the media away from the ongoings at clubs off the field. The two-week sabbatical has given club chairmen and chief executives plenty of time to review the first quarter of the 2015/16 season and suggest if any sort of alterations need to be made for the long-term good of the club.One such alteration is that of the person at the helm on the football pitch, i.e. the head coach or manager. Those working at the club tend to use this fortnight to decide whether the current manager is still a good fit for the future of the club, based on performances over the two months. This international break has seen key figures like Brendan Rodgers and Dick Advocaat depart Liverpool and Sunderland, replaced by Jurgen Klopp and Sam Allardyce respectively.Apart from Rodgers and Advocaat, there have been many managers who have been subject to media and fan pressure following a run of unsatisfactory results since the start of the season. We take a look at some of the people on the hot seat whose jobs are currently under scrutiny, and analyse their chances of clinging on to their jobs in the coming weeks of the season.
#1 Massimiliano Allegri - Juventus
One of the surprise entries in this list is that of 48-year-old Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri. Since leading Juventus to the domestic double and the UEFA Champions League final –where they were beaten by Barcelona – he has had to deal with a stuttering start to their new campaign, picking up a mere 8 points from their opening 7 games, including a dispiriting 1-1 draw at home to newly promoted Frosinone.
Losing important games to Udinese, Roma and Napoli will not have helped Allegri’s cause one bit in a bid to defend their Serie A title. The loss of key players like Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez all at once has definitely hampered the balance of the team.
Though Juventus have attempted to cover up for their losses by signing Argentine striker Paulo Dybala, German central midfielder Sami Khedira and Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic amongst many others, the influx of so many new faces by the defending champions means that Allegri has the job of ensuring that the players understand each other on the pitch in order to fulfill the footballing philosophy the club and the manager demands.
An ageing backline of Stephan Lichtsteiner (31), Georgio Chiellini (31), Andrea Barzagli (34) and Patrice Evra (34) also adds to their woes, as their waning defensive focus and vulnerability to injuries has to be taken into consideration by the club while dealing with their players above the age of 30. A good team is always built from its defence, and Allegri will have to consider more youthful defensive options for the long-term safety of the club.
€26m Porto recruit Alex Sandro is more than a capable replacement for Patrice Evra at left-back and 21-year-old Daniele Rugani needs to be given more playing time as it only helps his development at the Turin club.
The only saving grace for Allegri at the moment has been Juventus’ Champions League form (2 wins in 2 games), and he will have to motivate his side to improve in the league if they are to pose a serious challenge to defend their Serie A crown.
Verdict: Allegri to be given until the end of the season to see if a new-look Juventus have gelled into a cohesive unit.