Under-pressure Premier League managers at mercy of owners’ whims

An international break can be a treacherous time for managers who are no longer the most important figures at their clubs

UNDER PRESSURE: Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers.

An international break can be a treacherous time for under-pressure club managers. Sackings were expected during the recent run of Nations League matches and friendlies. Even on the morning of the Queen’s funeral there was wide speculation that Steve Cooper would be relieved of his duties at Nottingham Forest. That the announcement had been delayed, suggested the rumour mill, was only out of respect for Her Majesty.

Cooper remains Forest’s manager, and will lead his team into the return of the Premier League. On Monday at Leicester, he will shake the hand of Brendan Rodgers, another manager that WhatsApps and social media ITKs (“In-The-Knows”) were suggesting had been given his cards.