We’re a month and a half into the 2018-19 season and there is a lot of unpredictability in the top five European leagues.
Several of the heavyweights are struggling while some surprising outfits have done extremely well. Without taking anything away from the dark horses who have stood out, a few managers responsible for their team’s poor show must be scrutinised.
We take a look at three managers who are under pressure to achieve positive results and regroup their team immediately.
JULEN LOPETEGUI
Julen Lopetegui
A dark cloud has been looming over Real Madrid the last few weeks. After a defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, Lopetegui showed signs of recovery and a smooth transition as he rallied his men to a five-match unbeaten run in the league which included four wins. Los Blancos were also involved in a 3-0 thrashing of Roma in the Champions League. However, things have gone downhill ever since.
A 3-0 defeat to Sevilla set the dominoes rolling. This was followed by a lacklustre display in the home derby against Atletico which ended goalless, a side incidentally which was recovering from a poor start to their season at that point failing to make the most of it added some pressure on Lopetegui.
Los Blancos followed this with 1-0 defeats to CSKA Moscow and Deportivo Alaves in the Champions League and the Spanish league respectively. Levante running away with all three points at the Bernabeu for the second time ever might just be the final nail in the coffin for the Spaniard who was ousted as national-team boss just four months ago.
Real Madrid have been shambolic in defence, pallid in midfield and toothless up front. Should he stay on as Madrid manager, Lopetegui faces a stern test at Camp Nou next week and can’t afford to be beaten by the league leaders. A defeat in the Clasico will surely send him on his way out.
NIKO KOVAC
Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac
Bayern Munich are, quite surprisingly, third in the Bundesliga table, four points below leaders Borussia Dortmund who have remained unbeaten in the league so far.
Winning 16 points from a possible 24 doesn’t warrant concern for most clubs in the top five European leagues. However, Bayern Munich have set a high bar for themselves in the past which has heaped pressure on head coach Niko Kovac.
His side have just ended a four-match winless streak across all competitions with a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg. This included a 2-0 defeat away to Hertha Berlin and a shocking 3-0 hammering by Borussia Monchengladbach at the Allianz Arena. Results such as these are unacceptable at a club like Bayern.
Kovac is definitely under pressure to produce results. On an optimistic note, the German has a chance to redeem himself in the “Der Klassiker” which is just 20 days away. Bayern Munich can cut Dortmund’s lead at the top or even leap above them, should things go their way.
JOSE MOURINHO
Jose Mourinho
The “Special One” was under immense pressure since the beginning of the season after Manchester United won just one game in their first three. A shock defeat to Brighton was followed by a humiliation at the hands of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham as the Red Devils were beaten 3-0 at Old Trafford.
United were winless in four straight games in all competitions which also included a defeat to Frank Lampard’s Derby County on penalties in the League Cup. Rumours of a possible sack was looming over the Portuguese going into the game against Newcastle United just before the international break.
However, an inspiring 3-2 comeback after going 0-2 down followed by an away stalemate at the Stamford bridge has saved Mourinho’s blushes temporarily.
Underneath the thin veil of the sudden surge in positivity lies an insecure defence and an underperforming frontline. Besides, United will be tested by Everton and an in-form Bournemouth before the Derby away at the Etihad Stadium against a high-flying Manchester City.
Mourinho’s Red army also face Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League twice during this period. The next few weeks will be vital for Mourinho and the Portuguese will be hoping to inspire his team to pull through and not descend into the ‘infamous’ third-season chaos.