Hello Rank Squad!
We're in the heart of an onslaught of Champions League weeks, but on the one breather we have, we decided it was time to bring back a Ranks classic, in the form of Sacking or Saving Europe's Under-Fire Managers, for the SIXTH time. Once a year, we sit down and analyse those managers currently on the hottest seats, and try to work out whether they need time or the chop.
Before we get into it though, we discuss Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, where Harry Kane defied the glitz and glamour to become the first English player to lift the trophy in 25 years. We hand out some well deserved flowers to a man who feels like a throwback in the modern era, as well as talk through a couple of other bits from the ceremony - Fabian Ruiz finishing 10th, a lovely redemption arc for La Reina, Alexia Putellas, and Joan Laporta just completely getting it wrong when at the podium to speak.
Then it's onto our list of managers on the hot seat, starting with the big one from the Premier League - the future of Michael Carrick at Manchester United, especially in the light of the club giving him a stay of execution for the time being. From there we also discuss Pierre Sage's situation at Crystal Palace, as well as Sunderland's Regis Le Bris, Fulham's Álvaro Arbeloa, and Coventry City's Frank Lampard.
Then we head xontinental, as Jack takes a look at who's under it in Europe - visiting three big hitters in Italy in the shape of Maurizio Sarri at Atalanta, Max Allegri at Napoli, and Luciano Spalletti at Juventus; as well as Rui Borges at Sporting CP and the seemingly doomed Manolo González at Espanyol (who might already be gone by the time this is out, but who was a brilliant story in his own right and we will miss!)
It's Ranks!
And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon?
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