Arsene Wenger, Jurgen Klopp and the Managers Most Likely to Move in 2015
The Premier League’s chairmen have been unusually patient this season, and for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign, they had not dismissed any of their managers before Christmas Day.
However, the sacking season has now officially commenced with Neil Warnock leaving Crystal Palace two days after Christmas Day, followed by the departures of Alan Irvine from West Bromwich Albion and Alan Pardew from Newcastle United.
Which other managers in the Premier League and across Europe are likely to be on the move in the new year?
Here I list five managers who could either be sacked or could seek a new challenge at some point during 2015.
Arsene Wenger
1 of 5
After winning the FA Cup and ending Arsenal’s nine-year wait for a trophy last May, many believed that was the right moment for Arsene Wenger to end his time as Arsenal manager.
But the Frenchman decided to remain at the Emirates for a 19th season to try to win Arsenal’s first title since 2004.
But at the halfway stage of this season, Arsenal are already off the pace in fifth position and 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea.
Arsenal are not going to win the title this season, and if the club want to return to the summit in the near future, 2015 might be the year when they decide it is finally the right time for Wenger to move on.
Jurgen Klopp
2 of 5
Since winning consecutive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, and taking Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2013, Jurgen Klopp has hit a glass ceiling.
Last season Klopp's squad finished as runners-up in the table a mammoth 19 points behind Bayern Munich, and this season at the winter break, he finds his side one place off the bottom and in the relegation zone.
Now in his seventh season at Dortmund, Klopp has understandably grown tired of losing his leading players to rivals Bayern Munich and may begin to think it is time to move on to protect his legacy.
Despite recent failings, Klopp would find many clubs across Europe willing to offer him a new home in 2015.
Brendan Rodgers
3 of 5
Who is the real Brendan Rodgers?
Is it the innovative and inspiring young coach who took Liverpool so close to winning the Premier League last season?
Or is it the more hesitant figure of this season, who stripped of Luis Suarez, has seen his Liverpool side slump to eighth in the table and fall out of the title race, 18 points behind the leaders Chelsea?
It is likely the Liverpool hierarchy will wait until at least next autumn to discover the answer; but if it proves to be the latter, then Rodgers could be on the move some time in 2015.
Diego Simeone
4 of 5
By guiding Atletico Madrid to their first title in 18 years and breaking the Real Madrid-Barcelona monopoly of La Liga last season, Diego Simeone placed himself on the wanted list of clubs all across Europe.
As La Liga enjoys its winter break, Atletico are still in contention to repeat last season’s heroics being four points behind the leaders Real.
But should they fade away in the new year, Simeone might start to realise last season was as good as it will ever get for him in Spain.
The Daily Mail has reported Simeone has taken English lessons, and if a vacancy should occur at Manchester City, Liverpool or Arsenal next summer, the Argentinian would be a leading contender to fill it.
Paul Lambert
5 of 5
Aston Villa have lived precariously since Paul Lambert arrived at Villa Park in the summer of 2012.
A lack of investment and interest from owner Randy Lerner has hampered Lambert as he has guided them to 15th in the table and just 10 wins in each of his first two seasons.
At the halfway stage of this season, Villa are 13th and five points above the relegation zone, but they are far from safe.
Even if Villa survive in the Premier League for another season, Lambert might have tired of the constant struggle and might believe his managerial aspirations would be better served elsewhere.
