Six English Premier League clubs have made managerial changes since the start of the 2016-17 season. Swansea have twice sacked their managers as both Francesco Guidolin and Bob Bradley were dismissed from the EPL side.
Crystal Palace, relegation battling Hull and Middlesbrough, and reigning EPL champions Leicester have also parted ways with their managers. Success has varied to this point, and for some, the jury is still out.
Swansea
The Welsh club hired Paul Clement away from Bayern Munich on January 3rd. The former assistant to Carlo Ancelotti has improved the club’s fortunes after both Guidolin and Bradley were sacked. The Italian Guidolin had just signed a two-year contract back in the summer, but his side lost five out six games, which got him the ax.
Bradley, the first American to coach in the EPL, showed it was a level too high after having success in the French second division.
In Clement’s 10 games in charge, he has won five, and the team are out of relegation.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace started the season with Alan Pardew in charge with many feeling his stay in the job was due to the team’s FA Cup run in 2015-16. Pardew only won four games this season before the Eagles rang change with Sam Allardyce taking charge.
Although he hasn’t been able to completely turn things around, the team have won four straight prior to the current international break. The team are currently four points above the relegation zone.
So far, Crystal Palace’s change, just like Swansea’s have worked.
Hull
Mike Phelan took over the manager’s spot at Hull after Steve Bruce resigned over the summer. Phelan’s first managerial job, the Tigers won their two opening fixtures before going winless in 17 of 18 matches before the team changed managers.
Marco Silva hasn’t got the team out of the relegation zone, but Hull have been better. Currently three points away from EPL safety, Silva could pull off the great escape.
Leicester City
Leicester shocked the EPL when the club sacked Claudio Ranieri. Last year’s EPL winner, Ranieri’s side struggled with several players being allegedly unhappy with the tactical Italian. The move seems to have made players far happier as the team have looked better in recent weeks.
Since his departure and the interim, now permanent, appointment of Craig Shakespeare, the Foxes have won three straight EPL matches.
Not only have the team won and moved from 18th to 15th in the EPL table, the team have played better in the Champions League and will compete in the quarterfinals.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough sacked Aitor Karanka after going 10 games without a win. The team have scored the fewest goals in the EPL this season. Currently five points away from safety, Middlesbrough have a difficult road ahead. Karanka’s axing may have been warranted, but the team are poor. Karanka’s removal did little to help in their last match as Manchester United outplayed them from the start.
The jury is still out on Karanka’s sacking, however, it appears the other clubs have seen a positive change in fortune with their moves.
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