Division 1 Manager Power Ranking

Following on from TFF's news-feed topic of managers and sackings after the end of season 3 TFF blog will be taking a further look into all 20 teams and managers in Division one of TFF. We focus on the promise land of Division one, where spaces might open up for the upcoming managers, and what kind of chain reaction we could see once the curtain is drawn on season 3.

We've ranked the 20 teams on expectation, squad resources, managers time at the club, previous standing, and how much they have impressed.

As we compose this list it should be taken into account that only the top 6 sides in the land had to publicly make targets. While this hasn't stopped other brave clubs and managers its fair to say the rest just don't have to publicly put themselves out there so to speak. While sacking's aren't necessarily TFF's thing (and shouldn't be expected) I've made a power ranking of who's safe and who's not.

20th-18th

20. Stoke

While manager Warren may have set modest exceptions Stoke have failed for one reason or another to live up to that hype. While 51 games in charge certainly doesn't put Warren immediately at risk his own public comments suggest otherwise. A Mid-table finish the task but relegation seeming more likely. Stoke head the list for the most likely managerial change come the end of season 3.

19. West Brom

West Brom without the pressure of a set target come in 19th... for a host of reasons. Firstly we take into account the managers time spent there, Colas has 121 games under his belt and has led West Brom since the creation of TFF. Coupled with two seasons of just about surviving season 3 really needed to head in a different direction, sitting joint bottom and having sold West Brom's superstars can sum up their season perfectly. Back to back relegation's have been mentioned for West Brom when you compare the mid-table side's West Brom were on par with in Season 1 Colas' time should be limited.

18. Everton

Everton come in at 18th and 3rd in the top 3 most in danger. Lets look deeper into this as some may think this is uncalled for.. Andy has had Everton since the creation of TFF. An impressive 143 games in charge, 13th and 5th place finishes don't cause too much concern it can be said not to mention a cup final in season 1. So lets get into why there here. Largely inactive and can go missing are a few quotes to come out of Everton's camp when asked about their manager. The mentioned cup final an embarrassment when you consider the team that was left out for it. Everton can be summed up in a few words unpredictable and unreliable. If there to reach maximum potential it can be argued a new manager is needed.

17th-13th

17. Southampton

There's no favouritism here in the power rankings as you'll see almost immediately. 17th place come's Paul and Southampton. 15th and 6th place finishes in the first two seasons similar to Everton as mentioned above, so this season's current 16th place is disappointing to see. By no means clear of relegation danger Southampton could find themselves playing Division 2 football next season. Paul's impressive 138 games in charge also means he has led this team since day one. Its worth noting that a impressive squad has been built in that time, but as we all know the better resources we have more is expected. Southampton beat Everton into 17th purely because of both managers starting positions and Paul's activity in trying to address his problems.

16. Arsenal

Favouritism not here ! In 16th comes Arsenal. We probably don't need to get into huge depth with why Arsenal come 16 on this list. With almost 3 seasons in charge and the most games in charge at a single club (149). Arsenal find themselves here due to the resources at their disposal and there results to match, with the gameworld's most expensive squad and perhaps best 11 a season 2 collapse and failure to lift silverware (Who cares about the SMFA Cup) calls for people to take notice. Currently fighting for top 4 this season with a realistic chance of missing out could lead to the second big club causality come the end of season 3.

If worst case is avoided Arsenal will probably be looking at finishing 3rd for the third time. Will that result plus a potential Cup win (Arsenal in semi-final action) be enough to keep the current manager there for season 4 ?

Only pushing for the title in season two before the collapse, more is expected from outsiders.

15. Wigan

Now we enter into the territory of manager's who should be considered safe but perhaps only for so long. Wigan fall nicely into the power ranking mid-table. With exceptions low, and while relegation is never wanted sometimes there's just no helping it. Youssef has now managed Wigan for 62 games only 1 game less then the previous two manager combined. So is now perhaps the time we can start to point the finger and ask about their current squad's situation and how much is down to the current manager.

When we take into account a 50m pay day for promotion what do they have to show for it ? The current squad is more of a mid-table Division 2 team on paper and at first glance it looks as if no real thought was put into transfers for Division 1 football. Back to back relegation has also been touted for Wigan perhaps then they could be on the search for a 4th manager ?

14. Burnley

Burnley in division 1 ? Yes you can be forgiven for forgetting about Burnley every now and then. A quiet manager with little to say and a team that don't really excite or surprise. B-Mart however has nicely amassed 83 games in charge and currently has them in 15th one better then season 2's 16th place finish. B-Mart can consider himself safe above everything else.

It looks as Burnley will be enjoying a 4th season in Division 1 and when we take a look at the teams that have experienced relegation already its a job well done. Perhaps you wont find Burnley or B-Mart troubling the top 10/8 anytime soon but then again what expectations would Burnley give themselves anyway ?

13. West Ham

West Ham what a squad ? Bag's of potential and some player's you just don't expect to see outside of the top 6... Let's dig.

Avoided relegation (16th) by 6 points in season 1, but really never looked in danger. Season 2, 12th place one point off 10th. This season started badly but have improved and currently sit 13th. However you have to ask yourself with the stadium and gate resources when should they be breaking into the top 10 ? or at least making a name in cup competitions ? Nick Justice has built well and that can not be overlooked youthful with a prospect of looking dangerous in a few reviews time. Safe for sure but surly expectations have to grow here.

12-11

12. Bournemouth

The perfect job ? Bournemouth found themselves on the hunt for a new manager 12 games ago. A team that hasn't really found love in TFF with 5 different managers in their short history so far. It was a perfect take it and you're safe job, up stepped Andrew Achilleos. Bournemouth after promotion weren't expected to survive even less so after Dan's departure to Watford. So with the 50m spent, two managers later and Bournemouth already in the bottom 3 when Andrew came in he can be considered pretty safe. If they are relegated it was expected and Andrew can rebuild in division 2. If they stay up at someone else's expense then what a rescue job !

11. Crystal Palace

A fine example of what a manager with experience and know-how can bring to a team. Crystal Palace certainly don't stand out on paper rating wise when we look at the squad that's there. However Gareth has kept them ticking over in his 89 games as boss. 9th place last season a decent feat for this squad.

The key point here is that you never hear Crystal Palace nor Gareth mentioned negatively results wise or for final standings. Perhaps to be considered for a bigger move some more will have to be done with that squad rating wise. However Gareth deserves this level of safety you have to wonder if were at West Brom for example would they be in the trouble they are in ?

10-5

10. Tottenham

We're reaching the safe point now if we hadn't almost touched upon it already with 12-11.

Tottenham feature 10th here and for these reasons... 58 Games Jay has now with Spurs enough to accredit the squad to him, let's make no mistake while that Spurs team isn't on Arsenal/Chelsea level it was a massive re-build job. Jay has his doubters some suggesting that actually that squad hasn't improved since Rob's mini revival of it during his short stay at the Lane. Recent deal's with Hull aside Tottenham have bounced back well from the Hammer Day's. To be knocking on the door for 4th is a massive job well done, many thought the damage done by Hammer would condemn Spurs to being a mid-table side for season's to come. A place back in the set-ups top 4 would truly be special.

9. Aston Villa

The hardest placement for me in this power ranking... They could be higher in some peoples view could be lower in others here's why 9th's a fair ranking...

Current standing 7th Villa were as high as 3rd not to many games ago however since the reviews they have slipped and well most saw it coming. Lets make no mistake about it 7th is impressive holding 3rd for as long as they did was too. Some will say they brought old and high with most being droppers. Compare them to Wigan, both received the 50 Million and look where both are now.

Sure Villa have the gates on their side but if Wigan brought old and high would they find themselves joint bottom ? Fact's are this IF transfers have ensured Villa are staying in Division 1 for this season and perhaps the next, Villa should be heading for a top 10 finish.

You will see other managers ranked higher because of the City Shortlist (which I know IF was on) but taking into account the struggles of both season 1/2 and the fact that Villa team isn't set-up to last in division 1 and taking into account where that 50m investment has gone (Take a look its gone thanks to the droppers) IF is safe for sure but can't be listed higher.

8. Leeds United

A solid 56 games in charge of Leeds now for Alessandro Ioli and certainly he has kept Leeds marching on in division 1. Richie is a hard man to follow in the footballing world of SM a homegrown fan who did bits for Leeds. Alessandro took the mantle and hasn't stopped running. Establishing Leeds in Division one with a 13th place finish last season and now sitting in 11th fighting for a top 10 finish.

A very solid squad which doesn't look out of place in division one with Muller, Buffon, with some very much fancied youth to match. Could easily be touted for bigger things in the future hence Leeds position above Villa's.

7. Newcastle

Newcastle come in 7th and here's why... A division two title winning manager in Mark who has held the Newcastle job since day one. Sure promotion was expected for a club that size in season 1 division 2 but that didn't mean it was guaranteed (Aston Villa)

Season 3 has been the most impressive by far currently sitting 4th in the table and sure the gates are good and its a big club but for just the second season in Division 1 its impressive when you see how United, City and Liverpool were managed before. Much has been made of the building at Newcastle and even more about how they did it (Looking at you Craig) but whats done is done and what they have is what they have. Newcastle could come unstuck later in the gameworld if Mark doesn't step up his internal transfer game now Craig has left the building. That and because Mark wasn't considered for the City job is why Newcastle find themselves 7th.

6. Leicester

Let's get this out there first.. some criticism came Nick's way for the City shortlist but shortlisted the managers where and for that you have to be more then safe.

Why's Fert here then ? Firstly a day one manager 137 games managed, a 8th place finish in season 1 (Only Burnley by a point and top 6 higher) a impressive start to life and the Kingpower. Some have said Leicester had a largely title winning squad at the start of TFF ? By no means was it a title winning team rating wise in SM so 8th was damn impressive.

In fact Leicester haven't finished outside the top 10 in the two seasons gone. A solid squad has been assembled too but the main reason for Leicesters 8th was Fert being shortlisted for City. That should suggest that this man is as safe as they come in Division 1.

5. Liverpool

There's a whole host of new managers at bigger clubs, all being given a season at least by Nick Justice with their new clubs so don't expect any shock changes. Especially considering how long it takes to and could take to get back to Division 1's summit.

Liverpool come in 5th and how different could it have been in not for goal difference deciding last season's title. Liverpool's shocking start to season 3 mean's they cant be placed higher then 5th with a good squad and a excellent buy in Salah perhaps they can turn up next season. 51 games in now for Johnny season 4 will be when we can expect some heat to be applied, currently they lack depth for cup runs as well as a assault on league. Johnny however seem's to have Liverpool at least fighting back in 8th.

4-1

4. Man City

What a difference a week makes City and old manager Craig would easily be propping up 20th-18th in these power rankings. Nick Justice made good on his mission to swing the axe on those underachieving with Craig being asked to step down.

Mark Stewart is only 2 games into his time at City and so is safe for what you'd think will be the entirety of Season 4 if Nick's one season rule is to go by. However you have to feel Mark will get results with that squad a long time in the making after turning down Spurs and Liverpool. Expectation will be knocking on Manchester City's front door again Im sure.

3. Man United

Another fairly new appointment means United are also safe from having to look for a new manager. Kev held on for as long as it was possible unfortunately the results just weren't kind to United and being absent from the top 4 two season's running isn't good.

That being said Noisy hasn't had it all his own way since joining either. However United are now knocking on 4th's front door something you could say is a improvement. A cup semi-final is also on the card's beat Chelsea and we could see United shockingly lift silverware for the first time in TFF in under a season with Noisy at the helm.

2. Watford

As safe as they come ! Dan at Watford in 2nd and it can be said taking them past the glass ceiling Noisy had already hit with them.

Dan has promotion to his name with Bournemouth already, and you can be forgiven for assuming Watford's fall from grace after their 4th place finish last season. However Watford seem to have found another level under Dan currently 2nd 10 point's better of then 3rd with 18 wins in 25 games.

While keeping most of the squad together Dan has tweaked in places, Watford look nailed on for top 4 with it looking unlikely they'll be caught in 2nd only reason why he wont be considered for top job's yet is due to his move being recent. Keep up this form with Watford and Dan will be a shoe in for top jobs.

1. Chelsea

Favouritism ? Nope won't find that here !! Put your hands up if you expected Chelsea here...

Safe as houses ! Officially the safest job in TFF and in Division 1. Chelsea won last season's League and Cup making them the first ever double winners and almost won the treble. This season they find themselves 10 points clear of Watford in 1st and find themselves in two domestic semi-finals. Glen has built well having managed Chelsea from day one. Glen comes in 1st for the division one manager power rankings season 4 could see Chelsea assert total domination over division 1 and indeed in TFF.