Premier League sack race: De Zerbi struggles as Moyes leads manager ratings
Five matches rarely tell the whole story of a Premier League season. They can, however, change the mood around a club remarkably quickly. Summer optimism gives way to questions about recruitment, selections and whether a manager’s ideas are translating into results.
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In Mirror Football’s assessment of all 20 managers, Roberto De Zerbi receives the lowest mark, while David Moyes earns the highest. Between those extremes, the Premier League sack race is shaped by more than league position. Expectations, resources and previous achievements all influence how much patience a manager can expect.
These are the publication’s performance ratings, rather than betting odds or confirmation that clubs are considering dismissals.
Photo: IMAGO
Tottenham and Fulham face mounting pressure
De Zerbi’s 2/10 rating reflects a Tottenham start that has produced just two points and left them bottom. Significant summer spending has sharpened the disappointment, while familiar problems at home have continued.
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Mirror reporter Ryan Taylor captures the distinction between a poor start and grounds for an immediate dismissal: “It’s a worry but it’s still too early to suggest De Zerbi deserves the boot, though results must improve quickly.”
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa receives 3/10 after collecting the same number of points. His early attempts to build an adventurous side have exposed defensive weaknesses, although there are signs of greater resilience.
A clean sheet against Liverpool offers encouragement. So does the possibility of a more settled midfield partnership between Shea Charles and Sander Berge. The forthcoming meeting with Ipswich nevertheless carries particular importance: difficult fixtures provide context, but Fulham need victories against potential survival rivals.
Pierre Sage also scores 3/10 at Crystal Palace. Three defeats in five matches have made an already demanding succession to Oliver Glasner more uncomfortable. Changes to the defensive personnel complicate his task, but improved performances are needed to establish confidence in his methods.
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At Manchester United, Michael Carrick’s 4/10 reflects five points from five games. The concern is the gap between that return and the club’s ambitions. His attempt to establish greater control through possession needs results to give it credibility.
European commitments complicate early judgements
Marco Rose receives 5/10 at Bournemouth, where European promise has contrasted with a winless domestic start. Nine games in 28 days after the international break threaten to stretch both the squad and the manager’s capacity to prepare.
Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso earns 6/10. Early attacking excitement has been followed by concerns about midfield and defensive stability. Finding balance within his preferred system now matters more than sustaining the initial sense of novelty.
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Oliver Glasner receives the same mark at Nottingham Forest. His team remain in transition, with questions over whether his preferred formation suits the available players. Stability and gradual improvement are central to the case for patience.
Unai Emery’s 6/10 at Aston Villa also requires context. Significant squad turnover and injuries have disrupted a manager whose previous work offers substantial grounds for trust.
Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris scores 7/10 despite an uncomfortable league position. European progress and competitive displays against strong opposition help explain why the mood around his team is more positive than the table alone suggests.
Moyes sets the standard for exceeding expectations
David Moyes is the only manager awarded 10/10. Everton’s unbeaten opening across seven matches in all competitions looks particularly impressive against the backdrop of a depleted squad.
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The source describes a difficult end to the transfer window that left Moyes with limited cover in several positions. His rating recognises the relationship between those constraints and the results achieved.
Keith Andrews earns 9/10 after taking Brentford through their first five league games unbeaten. His willingness to make decisive substitutions has reinforced the impression of a manager comfortable taking responsibility.
Daniel Farke also receives 9/10, with Leeds collecting nine points without defeat. Tactical flexibility and the integration of new signings have strengthened his position, although his contract remains an unresolved issue.
Hull’s Sergej Jakirovic completes this group on 9/10. Eight points from five matches represent an encouraging return for a promoted team absorbing extensive squad changes.
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Gary O’Neil earns 7/10 at Ipswich after two early victories. Coventry’s Frank Lampard receives 6/10, with a first win at Nottingham Forest providing relief after four defeats against a challenging opening schedule.
Title contenders offer contrasting reasons for confidence
Enzo Maresca’s 9/10 at Manchester City reflects a perfect league start and an impressive Manchester derby victory. Contributions across the attack have reduced the burden on Erling Haaland.
Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler also scores 9/10. Emphatic wins over Arsenal and Coventry underline the effectiveness of his pressing approach, although European commitments will test its sustainability.
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Mikel Arteta receives 8/10 as Arsenal begin their title defence. One defeat has interrupted an otherwise strong opening, with squad rotation among the longer-term challenges.
Newcastle’s Matthias Jaissle matches that rating after collecting eight points and responding positively to a heavy defeat at Leeds.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola earns 7/10. An unbeaten start and victories across three competitions provide a platform, even if the performances remain uneven.
For all 20 managers, the next sequence of fixtures will refine these early judgements. The Premier League sack race may attract instant verdicts, but the strongest assessments distinguish temporary difficulties from problems that are becoming harder to solve.
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