Premier League 2017/18: 5 managers who are already under pressure

The Premier League is known for its unpredictable results and there was more to come over the past weekend that witnessed a shock 1-0 win for Stoke City over Arsenal. While the Stoke City fans rejoiced over Jese Rodriguez's winning goal at the Bet 365 Stadium, it was rather gloomy for the Arsenal supporters.

Similarly, while some teams like Manchester United, Huddersfield and West Bromwich have gotten off to perfect starts, others are already reeling under pressure and are desperate to get their first win.

It may only have been a fortnight since the start of the new Premier League season, but there is already a considerable amount of pressure on some managers. Here are the five managers who would already be feeling the heat.

---

#5 Rafa Benitez

Newcastle United are back to the Premier League but almost immediately find themselves struggling so early in the season. Rafa Benitez has made six new signings but his team are yet to open their account and have even failed to score a goal. The Magpies lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham on the opening day before losing to their fellow newly promoted Huddersfield side.

Newcastle are already struggling to find their feet and the fans may not be very patient with the former Liverpool manager, Benitez, as they will want to avoid the drop back into the Championship.

#4 Slaven Bilic

Bilic is desperate for his team to kick-start the new season

West Ham United splashed the cash to complete their club-record signing Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City in the summer and much to the dismay of Slaven Bilic, the Austrian forward was sent off at Southampton on Saturday. The Hammers have spent close to £65 million this year, including £45 million in the summer and yet they find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League table.

The manner in which West Ham were dismantled at Old Trafford on the opening day coupled with their loss at St. Mary's over the past weekend means that the pressure is building fast on Bilic's shoulder. No manager would be more desperate to get a result on the next weekend than West Ham's Slaven Bilic when the Hammers travel to Newcastle.

#3 Frank de Boer

Frank de Boer signed for Crystal Palace on 26 June 2017

The newly appointed Dutch manager of Crystal Palace, Frank de Boer started his career in England in the worst possible manner as Palace were humbled 3-0 by Huddersfield on the opening day. To make matters worse, De Boer also lost his key player Wilfried Zaha for a month through a knee injury.

Crystal Palace followed up with another loss at Liverpool and are struggling just like Newcastle United and West Ham United. Palace have also not scored a goal yet.

Two weeks into the new season in his new job and Frank de Boer is already feeling the heat. He would be desperate to win his first match for Crystal Palace when they entertain Swansea next weekend.

#2 Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger was left to rue his side's missed chances at Stoke City

The FA Cup triumph last season was Wenger's seventh as the manager of Arsenal and his third in the last four years. This silverware evidently eased some pressure on Wenger and helped him get a contract extension at the end of last season. However, Arsenal's failure to qualify for the Champions League last season, for the first time in 20 years, means that Wenger is under greater pressure than ever to deliver results this season.

And it seemed to be deja vu for the Arsenal supporters on the opening day of this season as they trailed 2-1 and then 3-2 against Leicester City at home before late goals from Ramsey and Giroud saw the Gunners snatch a late win.

However, the respite was only momentary as Arsenal slumped to a 1-0 loss at Stoke. Adding to this fact, Arsenal's next three fixtures include tough trips to Liverpool and Chelsea with a home game against Bournemouth sandwiched in middle. It may not be long before the "Wenger Out" chants are back at the Emirates Stadium.

#1 Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte has won 79% of the matches in charge of Chelsea so far

The manager of Chelsea will inadvertently almost always find himself under pressure from the club's owner, Roman Abramovich. Indeed, the former Italy coach Antonio Conte is the ninth different manager in the last 10 years to be holding the post of Chelsea's manager.

It will not be a comforting fact for Conte to know that the Blues do not afford half as much time to their managers as some of the other clubs.

For instance, Carlo Ancelotti was sacked in only his second season despite having won the double in his first season in England - the Premier League as well as the FA Cup. Chelsea had played entertaining football under Ancelotti and had scored 103 goals in 38 games en route to their Premier League success in 2009-10.

Further, another Italian tactician Roberto Di Matteo was sacked in his first full season itself despite leading Chelsea to their first ever Champions League triumph along with an FA Cup title.

This is why Antonio Conte's job is as secure as it was when he took up the job and he will be judged based solely on the performances of the team this season. Chelsea's loss against Arsenal in the Community Shield will also not be forgotten easily.

The opening day loss at home to Burnley will not have gone down well with the owners either and although their win at Tottenham was a timely response, they have a tricky fixture list coming up ahead.

Chelsea face Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City in their next five games and the atmosphere at the Stamford Bridge and Conte's job security will very much depend on the outcome of those matches.