The managers across Europe who could leave their jobs this summer

The summer break is the perfect time fans get excited about new signings, but it's also the perfect time of year for club hierarchies to take stock and think, hmm, do we need to make a change in the dugout.

Some clubs have already revealed their plans for the 2021/22 season, wasting no time in shaking things up and planning for the future. Jose Mourinho has been unveiled as Roma's manager for next season, while there will also be upheaval at top of the Bundesliga - RB Leizpig boss Julian Nagelsmann replacing Hansi Flick in the Bayern Munich hot seat.

But they're highly unlikely to be the only ones employing new faces next season, with the traditional managerial merry go-round likely to be in full swing. Here, 90min takes a look at the managers who could be leaving their roles once 2020/21 is all said and done.


1. Steve Bruce (Newcastle)

Bruce is the most disliked man in Tyneside | Pool/Getty Images

The most unpopular man in Newcastle after Mike Ashley, Steve Bruce's time at the club has been turbulent to say the least.

On the field, the Toon army have struggled to get any momentum going and the less said about the brand of football on offer, the better. Off it, money has been spent - but there's still a feeling that the Magpies have no real ambition to get anywhere.

With safety just about secured, a freshen up can't be discounted - particularly with the club's fans continuing to voice their displeasure at Bruce.


2. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves)

Has Nuno taken Wolves as far as he can? | Pool/Getty Images

Wolves' journey under Nuno Espirito Santo has been nothing short of spectacular, but things do appear to be grinding to a halt at Molineux.

The serious head injury suffered by Raul Jimenez has hit the club hard, and they've grossly underperformed during 2020/21 - often looking bereft of ideas unless Adama Traore is piling down the wing at pace.

Nuno has done superbly, but may feel he's taken the club as far as he can.


3. Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace)

Hodgson's contract is up at the end of the season | Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

Veteran manager Roy Hodgson has had one of the most distinguished managerial careers of all time, but it's hard to get away from the fact that Crystal Palace are treading water.

Since taking charge of the Eagles, the former England boss has overseen 11th, 12th and 14th place finishes in the Premier League - safe, but ever so uninspiring. By the time 2021/22 gets underway, he'll be 74 - so it's perhaps time for some fresh ideas in south London.


4. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)

Arteta's time at Arsenal has been shocking | Julian Finney/Getty Images

Cheer up, Mikel, it's not been that bad at Arsenal!

Actually, it has. The Gunners boss bought himself some time by winning the FA Cup last season, but there's been very little progress made in his first full season in charge.

If anything, the club have gone backwards - and they're now facing up to the grim reality of being without European football for the first time in 25 years.


5. Rudi Garcia (Lyon)

Garcia's contract expires this summer | John Berry/Getty Images

Ligue 1 has produced one of the most entertaining title races of the season, with Rudi Garcia's Lyon well and truly in the mix.

Unfortunately, Lille or PSG are the likely winners - and although that's unlikely to directly influence not extending Garcia's contract, the fact he doesn't really get on with club president Jean-Michel Aulas could be a deciding factor in leaving Lyon.


6. Claude Puel (Saint-Etienne)

Puel just about steered Saint-Etienne clear of relegation | Marcio Machado/Getty Images

It seems a long time ago that Claude Puel was standing on the touchline of Southampton and Leicester, but he's only been in charge of Saint-Etienne since 2019.

It's not been plain-sailing for Puel, sadly, and having scraped their way out of relegation trouble last season, Saint-Etienne are having a bit of a nothing campaign this time around.

Puel's also refusing to publicly talk about extending his contract - which has a year left to run - and that could be indicative of an imminent exit.


7. Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)

Zizou's future is being speculated on | Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Despite winning three successive Champions League titles during his first spell in charge, Zinedine Zidane's follow-up stint at at Real Madrid hasn't been as fun.

Yes, they did win La Liga during 2019/20, but the club are in financial ruin because of COVID-19, and really, really need a rebuild of the playing squad. The Frenchman may not be the man for that particular task, not that he'd have the final say on matters anyway - that'll be the honour of one Florentino Perez.


8. Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)

End of an era? | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

It's been a decade since Diego Simeone took the reins of Atletico Madrid and he's undoubtedly been the best thing that has ever happened to them.

However, having looked like sure-fire winners of this season's La Liga title, Los Rojiblancos have inexplicably allowed Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla to get back into the mix.

It's now a four-way fight for the title, while Atleti's Champions League campaign was disappointing and they were humiliated in the Copa del Rey. Time for something new, Diego?


9. Ronald Koeman (Barcelona)

Koeman's been constantly linked with a move away | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

It's a bit mad to think that three of the four teams involved in La Liga's title race could conceivably change their manager if they don't lift the trophy.

But that's probably what Ronald Koeman was expecting when he took charge of Barcelona, knowing that anything but success in every single competition is likely to be deemed not good enough.

Joan Laporta's re-election as president may spare him, but you'd be a brave man to bet on the Dutchman being in charge next season.


10. Gennaro Gattuso (Napoli)

Gattuso has done a good job | Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

The fiery AC Milan legend has, on the whole, done a pretty good job at Napoli, but there's every chance Gennaro Gattuso's side won't qualify for next season's Champions League.

And if there's anything we know about club president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, it's that he's a man with little patience. The two have also engaged in a public spat, which can only spell one thing come summer time.


11. Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)

Time to go? | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Andrea Pirlo, despite his legendary status in the game, was a surprise hire last summer after Juventus had opted to bin title-winning boss Maurizio Sarri.

In his defence of what's been a shocking 2020/21, La Vecchia Signora were hardly at their free-flowing best under Sarri, hinting that a period of transition was coming after a decade of dominating in Serie A.

Unfortunately for Pirlo, this season has been worse than transitional, it's been bloody awful. Dumped out of the Champions League by Porto, Juve are having to scrap just to secure a top four finish - which is far from acceptable for a very demanding board.


12. Antonio Conte (Inter)

It wouldn't be the first time Conte walked away after success | Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Antonio Conte has just won Serie A with Inter, what do you mean he might not be at the club next season?

Well, Conte does have previous of walking away after success - and the decision may be taken out of his hands anyway, owing to the crushing debt that I Nerazzurri are in.

He has a year left on his contract, but could be swayed to head back to London to take up the job at Tottenham - time will tell if he gets what he wants at Inter this summer.


Source : 90min