We are at least four games in, in every division of the EFL and with that comes the inevitable pressure on managers not performing to the desired levels.
From the Championship to League Two, pre-season expectations are creeping up on those not where they hoped they would be, so just which managers could be out of job in the coming weeks?
At Risk Managers In The EFL
Ruben Selles – Sheffield United
Starting with the big one in the Championship, there’s no hiding that the managerial position at Sheffield United could be a vacant one very soon.
Ruben Selles, appointed this summer after the club chose to move on from boyhood fan Chris Wilder, has far from set the world alight at Bramall Lane so far.
Four straight defeats in the league leaves the Blades rock bottom and long way off the goal of automatic promotion. To add to the misery, it’s not just that they have lost every game, but they have only scored a single goal in the defeats too.
United rank bottom in goals scored, 16th in Xg, 22nd in shots per game and 14th in big chances created in the Championship so far. Without a drastic turn in form, the wins don’t look like they are coming on the horizon.
The Blades head down to Ipswich Town on Friday night, and whilst the Tractor Boys have also failed to impress so far, they provide a big test on a night where Selles will have to get a result, not just for his team but for his job.
Steve Bruce – Blackpool
Down a division in League One, it is former Premier League manager Steve Bruce who is beginning to feel the pressure on the Lancashire coast.
The Seasiders had an impressive summer recruitment adding the likes of George Honeyman and Josh Bowler, whilst persuading loan star Niall Ennis to return after the forward scored seven goals in 19 appearances last season for the club.
With good recruitment and a decent finish to last season, comes renewed pressure for Bruce’s side, with them widely tipped to make a push for the play off positions this campaign. Yet, Blackpool have just one win to their name and sit 22nd in the league on four points.
The most worrying statistic for the Seasiders is going forward. Whilst the team averages 1.2 goals per game they aren’t creating enough chances to win games. The team currently sit 24th in the league on Xg, 23rd on shots on target per game and big chances created per game.
Unfortunately for Bruce, the rumours on his replacement have begun, with former Bolton Wanderers boss and Blackpool player, Ian Evatt, being tipped to replace the manager should results continue.
Michael Appleton – Shrewsbury Town
It’s probably an understatement to call last season for Shrewsbury Town a disaster-class. As Gareth Ainsworth jumped ship following ongoing ownership issues, Michael Appleton was appointed to help in a very unlikely relegation survival fight.
Inevitably, Shrewsbury would be relegated to League Two and to some dismay, Appleton was retained. So far, it’s very much the same programme as last year.
Town sit 21st, one point above the relegation zone following three losses in their last five games. So far, they have scored five league goals, conceding 13. It’s very hard to hide the downward spiral going on at Shrewsbury but there is cause for some positives.
Appleton’s team got their first league victory at the weekend, beating EFL returners Barnet 3-1 and followed it up by adding former Charlton Athletic and MK Dons forward, Chuks Aneke to their ranks. Could this help kickstart the team’s season? It’s going to have to, or they’ll be after a new manager swiftly.
Mike Dodds – Wycombe Wanderers
Mike Dodds was originally appointed to get the job done for Wycombe last season after Matt Bloomfield left for Luton Town. Form would falter but Wycombe would still make the playoffs, albeit to fall out at the first hurdle.
Dodd’s had always promised a change of style, but this summer’s transfer activity cannot have been what the manager had planned. Whilst last season could be a viewed as overachieving, the failure to replace last seasons top scorer, Richard Kone has left this team without any sort of direction.
Wycombe currently sit 19th in the League One table, with just one win, a 2-0 victory over Mansfield Town.
Despite the table looking the way it is, there is positives for Dodds, with his team making 4.1 shots on target per game and have created 14 big chances this season, so whilst things are yet to click, going forward chances are being created.
There is no doubt time is ticking for current Wycombe boss, whether his team is creating or not, points keep you in a job, not chances.
Darren Ferguson – Peterborough United
A move that seems inevitable at this stage is the position of Darren Ferguson at Peterborough United.
Despite delivering a second-straight EFL Trophy, Ferguson’s Posh had a terrible season, finishing just above the relegation zone after back-to-back years in the playoffs. To make matters worse, following the campaign several players, including captain Hector Kyrianou made the decision to move on from the club.
A lacklustre recruitment over the summer has made Ferguson’s challenge of turning the ship he had steered so well, around. Inevitably Peterborough now sits bottom of the league after six defeats and one draw.
Ferguson is in his fourth spell as Posh manager and though chairman Darragh MacAnthony has consistently backed his choice, there’s only so much more losing this team will be allowed to do.
Do you agree? And which other managers do you think is in the hot seat in the EFL right now?
Thank you for reading ‘5 Managers Who Job Is Currently Threatened In The EFL’.
