The best managers of the season so far
The European football season is past its midpoint now and considering how strange the last year has been due to the coronavirus pandemic, things look to have settled back down for the time being. We’re still some way away from the business end of the season and those familiar with football betting know that things are at their most unpredictable in the latter stages of a competition.
As more games are played, we get the chance to assess who has performed well this season and who needs to up their game — managers included. An influential voice in the dugout can be the difference between winning and losing a game and whilst the Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone discourse has been trilled countless times, we thought we’d take a look at some less conventional managers that have impressed so far this season.
Graham Potter
When Brighton lost Ben White over the summer and failed to secure a real marquee signing, all free football tips had tipped the Seagulls to struggle and flirt with relegation. However, under the guidance of Graham Potter they have gone from strength to strength. The former Swansea boss values good football and believes in his philosophy, something his players have jumped in on and thrived in, starting the season like a house on fire, placing as high as fourt,h before results gradually evened themselves out.
Despite the dip in form, Brighton will need to do everything in their power to keep hold of Potter — a young coach who can develop players brilliantly, possesses excellent communication and man management, all whilst working with less of a budget than other clubs can offer him. We look forward to the end of the season to see if Potter’s future remains at the Amex or lies elsewhere.
Rúben Amorim
At just 36, Rúben Amorim wouldn’t be the first name to come up in a list of top managers, but with experience that defies his age, the Sporting Lisbon boss deserves some recognition for the great job he’s done so far. Originally tipped for the Wolves job before Bruno Lage was appointed, Amorim joined Sporting from Braga, where he only lost two games in his tenure and was quickly snapped up, winning the Primeira Liga with just one defeat.
Defensively organised and dangerous at home, Sporting carried their good form into the Champions League as they clinched second place in a tough group that included Ajax and Borussia Dortmund. It will be interesting to see how they get on against Manchester City in the round of 16, but a Sporting win would surely increase Amorim’s already high demand of suitors.
Bo Svensson
Over the years, Mainz have produced a conveyor belt of top managers, with Champions League winners Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel both spending time on the Rhine River. The progression Bo Svensson has made at the club should mean he’s soon to be in that conversation of legendary Mainz managers if the Bundesliga outfit continue on their current path.
Having been in charge at the MEWA Arena for just over a year, he has taken Mainz from the cusp of a relegation battle to the solidity of mid table, all whilst balancing the books nicely in terms of transfers. It was the fourth manager of the season for Mainz as they performed a great escape thanks for the tactical nous of Svensson, who helped guide them to a 12th place finish.
It won’t be long before a bigger club comes calling though in a manor akin to Julian Nagelsmann at Hoffenheim. For now, though, Mainz can make the most of the charismatic Dane and try to finish as close to the UEFA Conference League as possible.
Image source
