The first two Premier League managerial casualties of the season has occurred during the international break. Both Manchester United and Crystal Palace have sacked their managers after abysmal starts to the season across their league and European competitions.
United have replaced Michael Carrick, the club legend who has been under pressure for a month. After a great tenure as Caretaker manager, it has been an unsuccessful tenure after taking the job permanently.
As for Crystal Palace, Pierre Sage has been sacked after a poor run of form with only three wins across the Premier League and Europa League.
Who are the leading candidates to replace the fired managers?
Carrick’s permanent gig has fallen flat
Carrick brought the magic back to Old Trafford during his temporary reign. No manager had as many league wins as Carrick after his appointment, when Ruben Amorim was sacked.
He won 12 games and collected 39 points, more than any other side in the league. Eclipsing eventual Premier League champions, Arsenal and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Both sides that Carrick had beaten during his temporary stint.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe was eventually hired for the full-time role, but things had slowly begun to unravel during pre-season. After a series of Lacklustre signings, slow possession-based football and a lack of running or fitness. Something from last season had gone missing.
Many questions were raised during Carrick’s reign. Fans wondered if last season’s results were due to Amorim’s conditioning of the players and not playing in any competition besides the Premier League.
Heading into this season, United looked dreadful against newly promoted Hull City and struggled against sides down to 10 men in the league.
He managed a win against Sabah in the champions League, but it was far from an impressive result. Partly down to the standard of the opposition they faced.
Carrick’s only league win came against Ipswich Town, and after that fixture went 10 games without a victory. That abysmal run ended after scrapping a win against Roma, but by then the writing was on the wall.
His final stand came against Aston Villa in a 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, where his side went 2-0 down within five minutes.
The club is in turmoil, along with Carrick’s stubbornness to revert to the tactics that worked last season. He had also managed to anger his club captain, Bruno Fernandes, with his style of play.
Carrick leaves United cemented in the relegation zone. A gigantic task lies ahead in the wait for his successor.
Reports suggest Mauricio Pochettino will become the new manager of the Red Devils.
Sage runs out of ‘Thyme’
Sage’s reign as Palace manager comes to an abrupt end with his side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. His side managed two wins but has the worst goal difference in the league by a substantial margin.
His side sit on a -14 goal difference and have the most losses in the league.
Their European form is not particularly great either. Sage managed one win from four games, but better results were expected against sides they have faced so far.
The former RC Lens manager joined Palace in the summer of 2026, gaining plaudits after taking the French side into the champions League.
The Frenchman wasn’t backed properly in the transfer window, but his negative style of play and lack of progression with the squad he obtained left him on the chopping block.
His side were great at keeping the ball but never in troubling areas; his footballing philosophy isolated Palace’s front line, which has been potent in recent years.
Time has officially run out for Sage to steer the ship onto an upward trajectory. Palace are seemingly close to an agreement with Thomas Frank to take the helm. A manager who would be a great fit for a side with an exciting group of players.
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