5 coaches who will be sacked this season

Carlo Ancelotti was the first high-profile coach to be sacked this season when his Bayern Munich side tumbled to a heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, but he will certainly not be the last.

All over Europe, there are managers twitching nervously with barely quarter of the season played in most top leagues.

Here are the men who have little chance of being in charge come next summer.

#5. Ronald Koeman

When Koeman arrived at Everton in the summer, there was the promise of great things ahead of the Toffees. The club invested heavily to sign the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen and went all out to lure Wayne Rooney back from Manchester United. Already early season hopes have started to fade, and in quite an alarming manner, too.

After seven fixtures, the Goodison Park side have won only twice, while perhaps the most alarming thing for them is a feeble four goals scored while they have conceded 10. All of the promoted sides are outperforming them to date, with the latest embarrassment a home defeat to Burnley.

Things are going no better in the Europa League, either. A thumping loss away to Atalanta was followed up by a limp draw against the minnows of Apollon. The Dutchman cannot continue in such a vein.

#4. Slaven Bilic

Slaven Bilic

West Ham are another Premier League club who had hoped for a good deal more than a relegation battle, though under Slaven Bilic that is where they are headed. Results on the park have been poor, with a late winner required before the international break to see off fellow strugglers Swansea at home. They were then lucky to draw at Burnley.

The vibes away from field are not good either. Robert Snodgrass, who was shunted out on loan to Aston Villa, criticised the Croatian for not knowing what position to play him in, suggesting a chronic lack of research when it came to making signings.

With fan discontent starting to show, it seems a matter of time before the 49-year-old is shown the door.

#3. Vincenzo Montella

Despite spending big, AC Milan are struggling in the Serie A

Much had been expected of AC Milan this season, with murmurs even hoping that the club would be able to mount a title challenge. So far, however, Vincenzo Montella has been unable to inspire the San Siro giants even into the league’s top six.

With four defeats from eight matches and more goals conceded than they have scored, there is little doubt that the Rossoneri have flopped at the start of the season. A derby loss to Inter has not aided his cause either.

Huge sums of money were invested in the summer, with the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Andre Silva and Hakan Calhanoglu among those side for vast fees. There has been no return to date and it is surely only a matter of time before the coach pays the price.

#2. Michel

Michel (right)

With Malaga propping up La Liga with just one point from a possible 24, the former Sevilla, Olympiacos and Marseille head coach should already be planning just what to do with all his forthcoming spare time.

An incredible 19 managerial changes were made in La Liga last season, and though this campaign is barely two months old another three have already gone.

In Michel’s defence, he has lost some key players over the course of the summer, including Sandro to Everton, and has not had the resources to buy replacements at similar prices, yet his squad should still be far more competitive than it has been.

After the international break, there’s a match against Leganes and, if the coach lasts that long, the small matter of Barcelona at Camp Nou.

#1. Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger could be in his final year at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger recently celebrated his 21st year in charge of Arsenal, but the club is heading in the wrong direction under the veteran Frenchman, who has been hanging on by his fingertips for months now.

Key players Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are out of contract at the end of the season, and should the Gunners fail to finish in the top four then there will be an increased lobby to sack the club’s most successful ever manager. At some point the board will have to listen.

Sure, the Gunners have started the season relatively well, but their performances have been unconvincing and they are already miles behind pace setters Manchester City. No-one really thinks they can win the league and even the top four looks difficult. With a reputation as they have, that should not be seen as an acceptable state of affairs.

The only thing that can save Wenger is the board’s nostalgia.