The 2012/2013 English Premier League is definitely up and running now, but something is missing on the back pages. The annual queue of managers for the axe doesn't seem as lengthy as in years past. Is it a case of increased managerial competence or heaven-forbid patience among the owners? Looking at the stability of Everton over the years is in part due to the faith shown in David Moyes. And well deserved of course, but it does highlight that continuity is a valuable commodity in terms of success. Only time will tell if this new found restraint is just a blip or if long-term thinking is here to stay for, well, the long-term. Even so, here is a list of managers who we at
WhatCulture! believe are not that far away from daily trips to the local job center.
1. Andre Villas Boas (AVB)
I would bet my house that Arry Redknapp will keep an especially close eye on the progress of his previous club, Tottenham Hotspur, now under the youthful eyes of AVB. His exit was extremely shocking and was obviously linked to the furore surrounding the England job. As for AVB, second chances really dont come any larger than this in football these days. Touted as the next Special One at Stamford Bridge only one year ago, AVB was continually undermined both inside his own dressing room and in the press during his ill-fated spell at Chelsea. Calls for his head were circling him early on last term and after Spurs opening games of the season (and a few jeers from the fans) there was a definite sense of déjà vu. Since then Spurs have come to life, but Im on the fence as to whether AVB is capable enough to be a Premier League manager for a long stretch. Hes young, relatively inexperienced and doesn't have the playing experience of most high pressure managers. Tactically, he is a bit naïve, but all in all with the full support from the players he should keep getting those regular pay checks for the foreseeable future. Although selling your best players (Rafael Van Der Vaart and Luka Modric), buying a player that was not totally needed (Hugo Lloirs) and trying to offload your captain (Michael Dawson) all in the first couple of months into your reign doesnt leave me brimming with confidence. Wherever he goes an air of potential crisis lingers and it really does depend on his ability to keep the dressing room under his thumb. One thing I remember from school is that history does tend to repeat itself, though.
Verdict: Start thinking about writing those cover letters.