Four Premier League managers have been singled out as the leading candidates to be the first sacked in the 2026-27 season. The analysis, which considers early pressure and club expectations, names Mikel Arteta, Eddie Howe, Thomas Frank and Marco Silva as the most vulnerable figures.
The pressure on Arteta
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, finds himself under intense scrutiny despite recent successes. The club's significant investment in the squad has raised the demand for immediate silverware. A poor start to the campaign could see the board act swiftly, with the manager's position described as precarious if results do not meet the heightened ambitions at the Emirates Stadium.
Howe's Newcastle challenge
Eddie Howe faces a similar challenge at Newcastle United. The club's owners have shown ambition with substantial spending, and patience is expected to be thin if the team struggles to compete at the top end of the table. Howe's future is seen as directly tied to the team's ability to maintain a challenge for European qualification from the opening weeks.
Frank and Silva in the frame
Brentford's Thomas Frank and Fulham's Marco Silva complete the quartet of managers highlighted. Both clubs have established themselves in the top flight but operate with limited resources compared to their rivals. The analysis suggests that a prolonged slump or a failure to meet internal targets could prompt their respective boards to consider a change in leadership to secure Premier League survival.
The identification of these four managers shows the volatile nature of top-flight management, where early-season form can dictate a club's entire trajectory. The Premier League season is a marathon, but the first managerial casualty often arrives before the race has truly settled into its stride.
Millwall's own campaign continues this weekend in the Championship, with a fixture against Preston North End at The Den on Saturday.
Read the full report at Sports Illustrated
