The international break looms — and so does the sack race
International breaks have long been circled in red by chairmen looking for a clean moment to swing the axe. With the next one on the horizon, a handful of Premier League bosses are glancing over their shoulders.
David Tully, writing on November 2nd 2026, flagged that the upcoming pause in domestic action is seen as a convenient window for clubs to change manager. In that context, he suggested there is a high probability that one or two coaches have only one more match to save themselves.
Tully’s piece set out to rank the top five managers most likely to be axed by their Premier League employers — a list that will make uncomfortable reading for those involved.
Who’s under the cosh?
The identity of the five isn’t revealed here, but the logic is familiar. A break in club football offers a rare chance to make a change without the immediate glare of a matchday, and boards often prefer to act then rather than in the heat of a defeat.
For the managers concerned, the next fixture takes on added significance. One more match to prove themselves — or one more match to seal their fate.
About the author
David Tully has spent fifteen years as a football reporter. He began as an intern at Snack Media before moving into freelance work across a range of sites. At the start of 2023 he took up his current role as a content writer for the Football News Network.
As we get closer to the next international break, some Premier League managers will be sweating about their jobs.
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