The Premier League managers with the most to prove next season

The Premier League managers with the most to prove next season

Published on 04/24/2025 17:45:26

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As the 2024/25 Premier League season enters its final weeks, the relegation picture has largely crystallized. Southampton became the first casualty, setting an unwanted record for the earliest confirmed relegation in Premier League history – unsurprising to many who bet on football — while Leicester City's fate was sealed following their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool – their ninth consecutive home match without scoring. 

With the bottom three all but confirmed, attention will soon turn to next season and the managers under immediate pressure to deliver, not just in the remaining games of the UK fixture list but into next season too.

While summer brings the usual managerial merry-go-round, several dugout occupants already know they'll face heightened scrutiny when the new campaign kicks off in August. 

Previous accomplishments and reputations will count for little as boardrooms and supporters demand immediate improvements. Here are the managers with the most to prove at the start of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

Graham Potter (West Ham United)

After his dream move to Chelsea turned into a nightmare, Graham Potter's appointment at West Ham represents both rehabilitation and risk.

 The Hammers have invested significantly in the soft-spoken tactician, hoping he can implement the fluid, possession-based style that earned him plaudits at Brighton while delivering the consistent European qualification the London Stadium faithful feels it deserves.

Potter faces a delicate balancing act at the London Stadium. The shadow of David Moyes – who delivered European football and the club's first major trophy in 43 years – looms large, and West Ham supporters will demand both attractive football and tangible results, something Julen Lopetegui failed to deliver. 

Having struggled under the intense scrutiny at Chelsea, Potter must prove he can handle expectations at another London club with passionate supporters and ambitious owners. His first pre-season will be crucial in imprinting his philosophy on a squad that had become accustomed to Moyes' more pragmatic approach.

David Moyes (Everton)

Speaking on Moyes, football's narrative writers couldn't have scripted it better— the Scot returns to Goodison Park, where he previously spent 11 successful years, tasked with restoring stability to a club that has flirted dangerously with relegation for successive seasons.

 His homecoming, coinciding with a move to a new stadium next term, brings both emotional resonance and practical challenges.

Everton's financial constraints remain significant despite new ownership, however, the Premier League landscape has evolved considerably since his previous tenure ended in 2013. Moyes will need to show he can modernize his tactical approach while working within tight budget parameters. 

Toffees supporters, who have endured successive relegation battles, will expect a swift return to mid-table security at minimum, though it will be interesting to see how they cope with the move to the Bramley Moore Dock

Vítor Pereira (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Vitor Pereira's first season at Molineux has brought relative stability after a period of uncertainty. The Portuguese manager has established Wolves as a solid lower-mid-table outfit capable of bloodying the noses of bigger clubs, particularly at fortress Molineux. 

His counter-attacking setup has proven effective, earning crucial points against teams that dominate possession.

That said, the sophomore season often presents greater challenges for Premier League managers once opponents become familiar with their tactical approaches. 

Pereira will need to demonstrate evolution rather than stagnation, particularly if Wolves lose key players in the transfer market. The most pressing concern is the future of Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha, whose performances have attracted interest from several top clubs, including Manchester United. 

Pereira has endeared himself to the Wolverhampton faithful not just through results but through his enthusiastic embrace of local culture. Spotted in the Black Country Wetherspoons pubs sharing drinks with supporters, the Portuguese coach has integrated himself into the community in a way few foreign managers achieve. 

This connection with fans could prove valuable should results take a downturn, but the club's ownership has clear ambitions beyond mere survival.

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