‎Premier League Sack Race 2025-26: Who Will Be the First Manager to Lose His Job?

‎As the 2025-26 Premier League season kicks off, the conversation isn’t just about title contenders or surprise packages. A different kind of race is already heating up—the dreaded sack race. Several managers enter the new campaign under a cloud of uncertainty, with squad limitations, fan unrest, and past failures painting a bleak picture.

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‎The Premier League sack race is underway. Who’s most likely to be sacked first in 2025-26? Graham Potter, Scott Parker, and Daniel Farke lead the watchlist.

‎Getty/GOAL

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‎Graham Potter

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‎Graham Potter’s return to Premier League management has not inspired universal confidence. Despite inheriting a squad that underperformed under Julen Lopetegui, the former Brighton boss struggled to generate momentum at West Ham last season. Only three league wins followed his appointment in January, and supporters found little solace in the quality of football on display. The departure of Mohammed Kudus, one of the club’s few bright spots, has only added to the unease.

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‎Potter’s identity-driven approach earned him admiration at Brighton, but that same clarity has been absent in his most recent roles. The fanbase’s patience is already thin, and the club's summer recruitment has done little to change the mood. A slow start would likely result in calls for a change in direction—and the board may be less inclined to resist this time around.

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‎Scott Parker

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‎Scott Parker faces perhaps the toughest challenge of any Premier League manager this season. Burnley’s squad has been weakened by the loss of key figures such as James Trafford, CJ Egan-Riley, and Josh Brownhill. Though Manchester City veteran Kyle Walker has been brought in to offer leadership, questions remain about whether the team has enough quality to survive.

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‎His promotion record is exemplary, but Parker’s Premier League track record tells a different story. The top flight has not been kind to him, and there is little evidence that this time will be any different. With Burnley’s American owners expecting quick returns on investment, a winless start could leave him with little room to maneuver.

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‎Daniel Farke

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‎Daniel Farke begins the season with his position already under intense scrutiny. Despite guiding Leeds back to the Premier League, speculation surrounded his future immediately after promotion. There were strong indications the club considered replacing him, which has done little to bolster confidence among fans or players.

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‎Farke's two previous attempts at surviving in the Premier League both ended in relegation, and there’s a widespread sense that he may not be granted the time required to learn from past mistakes. Leeds’ supporters are eager for a more competitive showing this time around, and should results begin to slide, the club’s leadership may not hesitate to act—especially after previously considering a managerial change.

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‎The Bigger Picture

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‎Across England’s top tier, the reality remains unchanged: the Premier League is unforgiving. Clubs must balance long-term planning with short-term survival, and managers rarely enjoy the benefit of time. Even those who have achieved recent success are now working with limited margins for error.

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‎With massive financial stakes, global exposure, and passionate supporter bases to satisfy, poor results can turn into a full-blown crisis in a matter of weeks. Managers like Potter, Parker, and Farke may each have their strengths, but history suggests that at least one of them could be out of work before the autumn leaves begin to fall.

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‎Who Goes First?

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‎The early weeks of the season often determine a manager's fate. A string of defeats, uninspiring performances, or mounting unrest in the stands can accelerate decisions in the boardroom. Based on current trajectories, Graham Potter, Scott Parker, and Daniel Farke are all entering the new campaign with more to lose than most.

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‎Whether it’s West Ham, Burnley, or Leeds that acts first, the sack race is very much alive—and the countdown has already begun.