31 October 2023 , 07:00
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We're now 10 games into the Premier League season - and it's becoming clear which managers are in danger of losing their job.
Tottenham are the surprise leaders, sitting two points clear of bitter rivals Arsenal and champions Manchester City. Liverpool have also made a good start to the season - placed just three points behind Spurs - while Aston Villa and Newcastle are also up there.
At the other end of the table, Sheffield United are rock bottom with just one point to their name. Burnley and Luton, the other two promoted clubs, have also struggled to adapt to the Premier League, while Bournemouth aren't having a great season either.
Is it too early to make a managerial change? Here's our verdict...
Beyond question
There's not a chance Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp will be sacked by their current employers, so let's move on swiftly. They're the modern day Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, a seemingly never-ending rivalry that will go down in the annals of history.
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Yet Mikel Arteta is starting to nudge his way into this category. He's part of the furniture at Arsenal and just needs that Premier League title or European Cup to become indispensable. There's a chance the Gunners will claim one of those trophies this year.
Safe as houses
Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham are flying (James Gill/Getty Images)What a job Ange Postecoglou is doing. Not only are Tottenham leading the way, they are also playing with style and confidence. After three-and-a-half miserable years under Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, Spurs fans can finally smile again.
Brighton and Brentford are now established forces in the Premier League thanks to the efforts of Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank , while Unai Emery is making Steven Gerrard look very bad at Aston Villa. The Brummies might just win the Conference League.
And what about Eddie Howe ? Sure, Newcastle have traded their morals for a shed load of cash - but they've also become a fabulous football team. Sheffield United and their goal difference will tell you as much (more on that later). Shout out to Jason Tindall, too.
Secure... for now
David Moyes won't be feeling too confident at West Ham (PA)David Moyes is part of West Ham's history after winning the Conference League. Yet it always feels like he's one bad run away from the sack. Back-to-back defeats to Villa and Everton haven't gone down well.
Rob Edwards has an extremely difficult job keeping Luton in the Premier League and will be given time to turn things around. Marco Silva will also be flirting with relegation this season after Fulham's best player Aleksandar Mitrovic left for Saudi Arabia.
Sean Dyche is finding it tough at Everton, with the Toffees facing a possible 12-point deduction for allegedly breaking the Premier League's financial rules. Yet the former Burnley boss is doing a good job, winning three of their last five league games.
Gary O'Neil inherited a messy situation at Wolves and is doing well, although he's only 10 league games in. And Crystal Palace are obviously thinking about their next manager, with Roy Hodgson aged 76. He's old enough to remember Tottenham winning a title.
Hovering above danger
Erik ten Hag is under the cosh at Manchester United (Getty Images)According to the Manchester Evening News, Erik ten Hag retains the full backing of the Manchester United board. Yet he will get the boot if results don't improve soon. The Red Devils are eighth in the table and struggling to find consistency, especially at home.
Mauricio Pochettino is also feeling the heat at Chelsea, who have won just once at home in the league this season. The Blues spent big again during the summer and expect Pochettino to lead them back into the Champions League. That target is slipping away.
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Burnley stormed to the Championship title last term, but Vincent Kompany is struggling to replicate that success in the Premier League. Andoni Iraola remains under pressure at Bournemouth, even if they finally picked up a win at the weekend.
Support for Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest appears to be dwindling after a run of six games without a win, with his team collapsing at Liverpool on Sunday. Their next six fixtures against Villa, West Ham, Brighton, Everton, Fulham and Wolves will be vital.
On the edge
Paul Heckingbottom has done a superb job at Bramall Lane - achieving promotion is no mean feat. But the Blades look desperately bad at the moment, perhaps the worst team the Premier League has ever seen. You can't lose 8-0 at home, no matter how good Newcastle are. Sadly for Heckingbottom, they need to make a change before it's too late.