Premier League: Power Ranking All 20 EPL Managers

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Three games in and the Premier League has already thrown up its fair share of surprising results.

Few could've predicted West Brom and Swansea City's phenomenal starts to the season, whilst the same could be said for the poor early-season form of big guns Liverpool and Tottenham.

Taking club resources and preseason expectations into account, this article will seek to power rank every EPL manager from Allardyce to Villas-Boas.

Now let's get to it!

20. Andre Villas-Boas

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Last Result: 1-1 vs. Norwich City (h)

Despite currently sitting six places from bottom in the league standings, Tottenham's Andre Villas-Boas earns the pimp spot in these rankings for his team's abject displays in its opening few games.

There appears to be very little motivation or drive in Spurs' football, whilst at the back they look far from impenetrable.

If the Portuguese manager fails to get his team playing the same sort of football they played under Harry Redknapp, he'll be odds-on favourite to win the EPL sack race.

19. Mark Hughes

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Last Result: 1-3 vs. Manchester City (a)

If QPR's Mark Hughes had brought in the new signings he did this summer, in 2010, he'd currently be being hailed as a transfer-window genius.

But in acquiring Park Ji-Sung, Jose Bosingwa and Julio Cesar, all he's done is blow up the London club's wage bill with over-the-hill veterans.

Considering the ambition QPR have, Hughes had better get his side's results improving quickly. Otherwise he, like Villas-Boas, could be in serious trouble.

18. Brendan Rodgers

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Last Result: 0-2 vs. Arsenal (h)

If it weren't for Liverpool showing glimpses of decent football in all three of their opening EPL games, Brendan Rodgers would consider himself very lucky indeed to sit in 18th place here.

As it is, once Luis Suarez can start putting away a few chances, the Reds' results are certain to improve.

Otherwise, I hear Rafa Benitez is currently unemployed?

17. Paul Lambert

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Last Result: 1-1 vs. Newcastle United (a)

Aston Villa looked far improved in their recent trip to St. James' Stadium than they did in their first couple of games.

With Barry Bannan and Karim El Ahmadi finally getting a hold on the central midfield, a win against highly-rated Newcastle looked likely for about 60 minutes.

I wouldn't bet against Lambert's men getting a result against high-flyers Swansea City next weekend, too, if they can continue to improve.

16. Chris Hughton

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Last Result: 1-1 vs. Tottenham (a)

Chris Hughton has a tough battle on his hands trying to keep Norwich City in the Premier League this season, but if the Canaries can put in a few more performances like they did against Spurs in their last game, fans will be confident such a fate can be avoided.

Currently sitting in 15th place, Hughton will be delighted if this is the case come May.

15. Brian McDermott

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Last Result: 2-4 vs. Chelsea (a)

Reading have looked capable of scoring with ease in their first few games with Russian big man Pavel Pogrebnyak leading the line in intimidating fashion.

But unless the Royals can improve at the back, Brian McDermott may see his newly-promoted side struggle to put three points on the board as often as he would like.

McDermott is an impressive young manager, though, and one with the potential to go on to bigger and better things once his time at Reading expires.

14. Nigel Adkins

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Last Result: 2-3 vs. Manchester United (h)

It may seem peculiar putting the manager of the EPL's current bottom-placed side in such a relatively high position here, but despite the fact that Southampton are the only team not to have picked up a point, there is justifiable optimism surrounding the club at present.

Nigel Adkins' team played a blinder against British heavyweights Manchester United in their last game, and were unlucky to succumb to two late goals.

With the impending arrival of marquee signing Gaston Ramirez, a steady climb up the league standings may be in order for the Saints.

13. Alan Pardew

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Last Result: 1-1 vs. Aston Villa (h)

Alan Pardew's Newcastle may pay the price this season for not making a significant splash in the summer transfer window.

Sometimes merely keeping things status quo isn't enough for some, and if the club suffers an injury to a significant player in the coming weeks, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Magpies struggle in the winter months.

12. Martin O'Neill

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Last Result: 2-2 vs. Swansea City (a)

Martin O'Neill is the kind of manager that only a fool would doubt—his pedigree and record at previous clubs speaks for itself.

The Sunderland boss will be pleased with his side's performance against Swansea, and will be hoping for more of the same this weekend in the upcoming clash with Liverpool.

11. Martin Jol

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Last Result: 0-3 vs. West Ham (a)

Martin Jol's Fulham team's fine start to the season came crashing down against West Ham, his most influential player Moussa Dembele having departed.

The true test for the London side will be in whether they can cope without the Belgian midfielder, but if there's any manager capable of such a job, it may just be Jol.

10. Tony Pulis

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Last Result: 2-2 vs. Wigan Athletic (a)

Tony Pulis may be the most unfashionable manager in the Premier League, but he is also one of its most effective.

His Stoke City side may not be the most attractive team to watch play, but they'll continue to get results like that at a resurgent Wigan last time around.

Manchester City will be the next visitors to Britannia Stadium—a trip they'll hardly be relishing.

9. Roberto Martinez

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Last Result: 2-2 vs. Stoke City (h)

Wigan Athletic may have one of the weakest squads in the EPL, but in Roberto Martinez, the club has a manager more than capable of leading them to safety this season.

Martinez's time at Wigan really should have come to an end long ago considering his pedigree, but it's the club that benefits by the Spanish boss sticking around longer than expected.

8. David Moyes

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Last Result: 0-2 vs. West Brom (a)

One can only contemplate what Everton are capable of this season considering the club's good start.

Despite the recent setback at West Brom, the Blues are in unfamiliar ground near the top of the table, considering their known propensity for poor early-season form.

But with star midfielder Marouane Fellaini announcing his intention to leave at the first possible opportunity, Moyes will face bigger tests in the next few months.

7. Sir Alex Ferguson

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Last Result: 3-2 vs. Southampton (a)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be patting himself on the back for his match-winning substitutions against Southampton, but the fact remains, his club have looked very poor defensively in the early goings of the EPL season.

Still, two wins from three is far from disastrous, and once his team starts playing the type of football we know they're capable of, the rest of league will be quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing van Persie and Co.

6. Arsene Wenger

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Last Result: 2-0 vs. Liverpool (a)

Arsenal are looking up after their stunning 2-0 win at Liverpool—manager Arsene Wenger proving his doubters wrong even at this early stage of the season.

The Gunners are the only side yet to concede in the league, testament to the French boss' tactical nous and improvement of a relatively young back line.

Next up for the North London side is the visit of Southampton, a game which fans will expect their club to win comfortably. 

5. Sam Allardyce

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Last Result: 3-0 vs. Fulham (h)

Even if Liverpool don't appreciate the value that Andy Carroll can bring to a team, Sam Allardyce does, and will rightly expect the big man to thrive in his side's style of football.

Despite looking absolutely horrendous in a recent clash with Swansea, West Ham have picked up an impressive six points from their first three games, and sit in seventh place as a result.

His footballing philosophy may not be pretty, but it sure is effective.

4. Roberto Mancini

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Last Result: 3-1 vs. QPR (h)

Despite looking a little vulnerable at the back, Manchester City have started their title-defending campaign in fine style, picking up seven points from a possible nine.

Boss Roberto Mancini will be delighted with the early-season form of enigmatic striker Carlos Tevez, a player who looked well shot of Manchester less than 12 months ago.

Keeping the Argentinean at the club may prove the Italian manager's finest achievement of the summer.

3. Steve Clarke

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Last Result: 2-0 vs. Everton (h)

The fine work that Steve Clarke has done at West Brom since arriving in the summer must not go unappreciated.

Not only have his offseason acquisitions impressed, but he seems to be getting the best out of the club's more established players like Peter Odemwingie and Gareth McAuley.

A top-half finish beckons for the Baggies this season.

2. Roberto Di Matteo

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Last Result: 4-2 vs. Reading (h)

Chelsea are playing by far the best football of the season so far with Roberto di Matteo at the helm.

New signing Eden Hazard looks devastating with his skill and creativity, whilst it appears that striker Fernando Torres is finally back playing the kind of form that persuaded the London club to part with £50 million for his services.

Although it may be too soon to be making assumptions, if the Blues keep playing with such enterprise, a shot at EPL glory is by no means out of the question.

1. Michael Laudrup

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Last Result: 2-2 vs. Sunderland (h)

The only man who has had a better season than di Matteo so far has to be Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup.

Currently sitting in second place with the league's best goal difference, the Welsh side have impressed many with their quick passing and clinical finishing.

Whilst many speculated the club would struggle after the departure of previous manager Brendan Rodgers, Swansea have only improved, further developing the attractive style of football developed in previous years.

 

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