Five Premier League managers whose stock is on the rise this season

English football is currently home to arguably the strongest collection of managers in Premier League history, with several of the world’s elite coaches currently in charge across the division.

Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel are just some of the world-class names, though there are a number of coaches currently boosting their own reputations with strong starts to the current campaign.

From novices of the Premier League to wily veterans punching above their weight, here are five Premier League managers whose stock is on the rise this season.

Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira departed the Premier League as one of the division’s greatest ever footballers, before making his return to the division in a coaching capacity this summer, tasked with a significant rebuilding job at Crystal Palace.

The Eagles embarked on a huge squad overhaul during the summer transfer window, with nine senior players departing Selhurst Park at the expiry of their contracts in South London.

The task facing Vieira was unenviable, the mass changes leading to uncertainty as the incoming head coach sought to bring in much-needed reinforcements and reduce the average age of a squad that had stagnated under predecessor Roy Hodgson.

Crystal Palace have an xGA of just 11.4 in the Premier League this season. Man City are the only side in the league with a better record [8.1].

Patrick Vieira has started very well. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/27IHHnqzeo

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 8, 2021

Vieira’s transfer dealings have been astute, both for the immediate and long-term future, with the arrivals of Joachim Andersen, Odsonne Edouard, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi adding both quality and potential for further growth.

Conor Gallagher’s signing on loan from Chelsea has also proven a masterstroke, the midfielder earning a senior England call following a series of stand-out performances for the Eagles, scoring four league goals and transforming Palace into team of drive and dynamism.

Palace headed into November’s international break on the back of successive wins and a six-game unbeaten run, whilst upcoming fixtures with Burnley, Aston Villa and Leeds will hold no fears for a team full of confidence at present.

Graham Potter

Graham Potter continues to be linked with Premier League positions away from Brighton, a testament to the work he has conducted across his two-and-a-half seasons with the Seagulls.

Brighton have emerged as one of the most attractive sides in the division and have began to eradicate some of the wastefulness that undermined past performances, with Potter’s side in seventh after 11 games and just five points off the Champions League places.

The Seagulls have shown confidence in playing football from the back and seek short, sharp interchanges in the attacking third, their bravery having been showcased with a strong performance to earn a point at Liverpool before the international break.

The 46-year-old has shown versatility and innovation during his Premier League career to date, fluctuating between 3-4-3, 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1 systems during the opening months of the current campaign.

However, an improved clinical touch is still required for Brighton to reach the next level, having drawn five times in a winless six-game run since the end of September.

Brighton boss Graham Potter, his assistant Billy Reid and first-team coach Bruno joined The Big Sleep Out on Friday night in the centre of the city to raise awareness and raise vital funds for the homeless in Brighton & Hove.

👏👏👏

(via @OfficialBHAFC) pic.twitter.com/CEx73n9RLl

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) November 14, 2021

His off-the-field manner has only earned Potter additional plaudits, with the Brighton boss spending the international break raising awareness for the homeless, sleeping rough for charity as part of the project ‘Antifreeze’.

David Moyes

David Moyes’ reputation continues to soar at West Ham, transforming both his current side and the perceptions behind his managerial ability following a difficult period post-Manchester United.

Moyes’ return for a second spell at the London Stadium has seen the Scot turn West Ham from relegation candidates to Champions League chasers, the Hammers currently third in the Premier League after ending Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season last time out.

Having finished sixth to secure Europa League football last season, many predicted a fall-off from West Ham as the club juggled continental commitments, but Moyes’ side are performing above all expectations in 2021/22 to date.

West Ham have beaten Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Tottenham and Leicester this season.

David Moyes 👏 pic.twitter.com/nFJqOR342Q

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 7, 2021

Already this season the Hammers have beaten Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Leicester, whilst the east London outfit are top of their Europa League group and through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

No side has won more points across their past six Premier League fixtures, whilst just twice previously have West Ham ever enjoyed a better start to a top-flight league season.

Moyes’ recruitment has been superb and he has built a squad and atmosphere to delight the West Ham support, with few teams relishing the prospect of facing a team packed with energy and set-piece threat.

Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank oversaw Brentford’s first-ever promotion to the Premier League last season, navigating the second-tier play-offs to secure the Bees’ position amongst England’s elite.

Brentford’s arrival into the top flight was reward for several seasons of meticulous and methodical progression, a number of shrewd signings simultaneously improving the squad and bringing in huge funds following sales to Premier League sides.

Neil Maupay, Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma were amongst the high-profile exits that helped Brentford build a promotion-winning side, one which has made a strong start to their first season at this level.

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Brentford opened the season with a fine win over Arsenal and lost just once in their first seven games, their performances keeping the club clear of relegation trouble despite a poor run of recent form.

Frank’s unwillingness to diverge away from his principles has already seen Brentford earn some notable results with the Gunners, West Ham and Liverpool all squandering points to the Bees, who will hope to regain their momentum after the international break and consolidate as a Premier League outfit.

Bruno Lage

Wolves decided on a new direction during the summer as the Nuno Espirito Santo era ended at Molineux, the Portuguese coach leaving the club after four seasons in charge.

Nuno’s tenure had seen Wolves rise from the second tier to secure European qualification, but the football often proved uninspiring and last season’s regression sparked change from the hierarchy.

Bruno Lage’s appointment was deemed a gamble given his lack of experience in the Premier League, whilst three consecutive defeats to start the season did little to increase optimism.

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Since then, however, Lage has turned around Wolves’ fortunes with five wins from eight fixtures, rising to eighth in the Premier League and just one point outside the division’s top six.

The signing of Hwang Hee-Chan has proven inspired with the South Korean adding a new dimension to Wolves’ attacking options, forming a fine understanding with Raul Jimenez following the latter’s return from serious injury.

Fellow arrival Jose Sa has also impressed and earned a recall to the Portugal squad this month, whilst the improvements from Ruben Neves and Max Kilman under the new head coach have also pleased.

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