Last season, a number of teams were not able to perform at par with their desired targets that were chalked out at the starting of the last season. The reason for this failure at times lies on how the team has been handled by the management and at times on the way the players treat their head coach and what kind of influence he has on them. Unfortunately, on most occasions, the manager is the one who has to take the stick.
The 2017/18 season might see such problems being faced by the managers, who sit on the hot seat, guiding their teams either towards victory or defeat. However, it becomes really difficult for them to maintain the same tempo at all times with ever changing squads and with players coming in and going out at tandem during the summer and winter transfer windows.
Three such managers, who are currently standing in the line of fire and might face the axe before the season ends are-
Mark Hughes-
Problems in decision making and unavailability of good enough players during the last term made Stoke City end in a lowly 13th position, threatening the job security of their Welsh mastermind Mark Hughes. However, the club management has continued to keep their faith intact in the 53 year old tactician for one more season, which might be his last in charge at the bet365 Stadium in case he fails to deliver a good enough result in the present season and he might well be sacked well ahead of the finishing line of the season.
Slaven Bilic-
The Croatian was unable to restrict the downfall of his side in the last term and was also not able to stop their talismanic midfielder Dimitri Payet from moving out of the London Stadium in the last term. This has definitely been one of the reasons for the fans as well as the club management to become displeased with the wily tactician. However, it will be a make or break season for Bilic, as he might face the axe without much ado if West Ham United doesn’t perform according to expectations.
Ernesto Valverde-
The Barcelona coach is already finding it difficult at the Nou Camp, as he has lost one of his mainstays for the team in the form of Brazilian superstar Neymar, as he has joined the French giants Paris Saint Germain on a world record transfer deal. The former Atletic Bilbao manager, who has taken the charge at Nou Camp on the back of one of the most disappointing seasons for the Blaugrana, might be sacked if the results don’t satisfy the club management as well as the fans in the new season.
