Di Matteo, Martinez & the managers in limbo as summer merry-go-round approaches

Di Matteo, Martinez & the EPL managers in limbo as summer merry-go-round approaches

May 9, 2012 7:00:00 AM

Some of the Premier League's top bosses could be on the move at the end of the season, with uncertainty continuing to hang over their futures

ANALYSIS
By Chris Myson

Euro 2012 may be taking place during the close season, and the Olympic football tournament is already gathering plenty of attention several months before a ball has been kicked, but there are likely to be as many column inches devoted to transfer speculation as there is to action on the pitch.

This summer in particular, there appears to be a string of stars across the Premier League who find themselves in limbo. However, it is not just those who take to the field who have uncertain futures with the summer break just weeks away.

Goal.com looks at some of the highest-profile current Premier League managers who are still not certain where they will be next season, what their chances are of leaving and which clubs could be interested in them if they were to seek new challenges.

Roberto Di Matteo - Chelsea

Possible Destinations: Swansea, West Brom

After Andre Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea, many were surprised when No.2 Roberto Di Matteo was handed the chance to be interim manager until the end of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Since taking over in March, however, the Italian has completely turned the Blues’ fortunes around, placing trust back in the club’s senior players while getting the best out of some of the main under-performers from the Villas-Boas regime.

While they have failed to reach the top four in the Premier League, Di Matteo led Chelsea to FA Cup glory and, remarkably, saw them past Napoli, Benfica and then Barcelona to book a place in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Those successes make him the favourite to take the job on a permanent basis but the unpredictable nature of owner Roman Abramovich means his future could still be up in the air if Bayern were to be triumphant on 19 May.

Whatever happens, Di Matteo has significantly boosted his reputation and will be a man in demand both in England and abroad. Ironically, a vacancy has opened at his former club West Brom, while other clubs, such as Swansea, would be keen on him if their own managers are snapped up in the months ahead.

Roberto Martinez - Wigan

Possible Destination: Aston Villa

After keeping Wigan up in dramatic fashion last season, few will have blamed Roberto Martinez if he had taken up the offer on the table to manage Aston Villa.

However, he showed a loyalty not often seen in the modern game by staying true to the word he had given to the Latics owner Dave Whelan and remained at the club.

Just a couple of months ago, with the club struggling in the bottom three, it looked like Martinez may regret his decision, but a remarkable run of results – including victories against Manchester United and Arsenal - have secured safety with a game to spare.

There is likely to be a vacancy at Villa again in the summer and it would not be surprising if they tried to tempt Martinez for a second time.

While Villa have been dour under the guidance of Alex McLeish, Wigan have turned on the style, and the Spaniard's commitment to attacking football is likely to mark him out as a wanted man.

Alex McLeish - Aston Villa

Possible Destinations: Blackburn, Wolves

Aston Villa fans were unenthusiastic enough when their club recruited ex-Birmingham boss Alex McLeish as manager in the summer and since then support for the Scot has continued to plummet.

A dreadful season for the Villans has seen them flirt with relegation and struggle to inspire with their style of play, just seven wins from 37 games leading to continuous calls for the manager’s head.

Villa may have released a statement backing McLeish in recent weeks, but it appears almost certain that he will be given his marching orders in the summer.

A poor season at Villa, following up his relegation – despite winning the League Cup – with Birmingham, means Premier League offers could be few and far between this summer.

McLeish may have to drop down to the Championship and bring a team up to secure his return to the top tier. Blackburn fans are still desperate to get rid of Steve Kean after their own relegation and another midlands club in Wolves are searching for a permanent manager.

Whatever happens, McLeish’s future is certainly up in the air heading into the summer and his name is almost certain to be one of those on the managerial merry-go-round.

Harry Redknapp - Tottenham

Possible Destination: Chelsea

A few months ago, Harry Redknapp was one of the most-wanted managers in the country. He was cleared of tax evasion, looked like the hot favourite for the England job after Fabio Capello’s departure and had his Tottenham side flying near the top of the table.

Since then, however, his Spurs side has suffered a poor run of form and could now miss out on Champions League football, while the Football Association went against popular opinion and appointed Roy Hodgson.

That leaves Redknapp scrapping to keep his job at Tottenham, with the club reportedly having doubts over whether they should offer him a lucrative new contract.

Redknapp’s name had initially been mentioned in relation to the Chelsea job and, despite his recent troubles, it would likely take a surprise move from a top club to see him leave White Hart Lane this summer.

Brendan Rodgers - Swansea

Possible Destination: Tottenham

After taking Swansea to promotion last season, Brendan Rodgers’ side were strongly tipped to make an instant return to the Championship, particularly after they were comprehensively defeated by Manchester City on the opening weekend of the season.

However, the Welsh side have surprised everyone this season and amazingly are still in the hunt for a top 10 finish and nine points clear of the relegation places, results that have been achieved while staying true to an attractive style of football.

The combination of flair, results and management of a tight budget has earned the manager huge respect in the game and, unlike some of the others on this list, Rodgers knows his club are desperate to keep him and he will only be on the move this summer if he is tempted by a bigger club.

He was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, but with Redknapp missing out on the England job, he may end up staying at the Liberty Stadium for another year unless there is some serious movement on the managerial merry-go-round.

The combination of flair, results and management on a tight budget has earned the manager huge respect in the game and, unlike some of the others on this list, Rodgers knows his club are desperate to keep him and he will only be on the move this summer if he is tempted by a bigger club.

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