Who will be the first Premier League manager sacked in 2024/25?

A new Premier League season is on the horizon, which means all twenty managers will be putting the finishing touches to their tactics and squads in readiness for a long and gruelling campaign.

While the likes of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery are likely to be safe from the managerial chopping board, a number of bosses know that a strong start to the campaign is essential in order for them to stay in their job.

We look at some of the managers that we believe could be in danger of unemployment sooner than the rest of the division.

Nuno Espirito Santo - Nottingham Forest

Former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo only took the Nottingham Forest job in December 2023, but his tenure is already under severe threat after a disappointing campaign.

Despite avoiding relegation by six points - even with a four-point deduction - Nuno’s spell as Forest manager has not hit the heights that many will have hoped for, with his current 26.92% win percentage the lowest of his managerial career.

This is Nuno’s first pre-season with Forest and he has stamped his authority by heavily trimming what was an overly large squad, with 13 players sold, loaned out or released from the first team squad - as well as five players returning to their parent clubs including Gio Reyna and Gonzalo Montiel.

Forest have spent £63.25 million on transfers so far in this window and there will be pressure on these new players to hit the ground running at the City Ground.

Should these signings falter or results fail to go his way, Nuno’s third spell in the Premier League could come to an abrupt end.

Enzo Maresca - Chelsea

It may be surprising to see Enzo Maresca’s name in this list given that he only took charge of the Blues at the end of the season and is yet to manage a competitive game.

However, given Chelsea’s history of changing managers, the former Leicester City boss may require instant success in order to be safe from unemployment for at least the Christmas period.

Maresca won the Championship with the Foxes last season, however his side did squander a healthy advantage at the top of the table to finish just one point ahead of runners-up Ipswich Town.

The Blues have once again been active in the transfer market in spending over £96 million on new players, so the pressure will be on Maresca to ensure that this money was well spent.

Russell Martin - Southampton

Russell Martin brought Southampton up to the top-flight via the play-offs last season however, with the Saints fancied by many to go back down to the Championship, he may need to pull away from the bottom three early if he is to have the confidence of the owners at St. Mary’s.

There are many new faces on the south coast for Martin to bleed into his squad and this may take time.

The loss of Che Adams on a free transfer to Torino may also hurt his striking options, so, should the Saints falter in front of goal, the former Swansea boss could be shown the door.