SI published a feature naming Michael Carrick, Pierre Sage, Álvaro Arbeloa and Frank Lampard as the four Premier League managers most at risk of being fired first. SI also wrote that no manager had yet been fired in the Premier League campaign.
Carrick and Manchester United
SI wrote that Manchester United had thumping home wins over Ipswich Town and Sabah FK, and defeats to Hull City, Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Atlético Madrid under Carrick in the opening months of his first full season in charge. Manchester United then lost 3–0 at home to Bournemouth.
SI wrote that candidates to replace Carrick were being strongly evaluated after the 3–0 home loss to Bournemouth. SI also wrote that United fans chanted Carrick's name after the Bournemouth loss and then booed as he retreated to the tunnel.
Sage and Crystal Palace
SI wrote that Crystal Palace had Premier League wins against Fulham and Nottingham Forest under Sage, and that those were their only league victories so far. After eight games, Crystal Palace had conceded the second-most goals in the league, with 19.
SI wrote that there had already been reports of a dressing room fallout at Crystal Palace and rising tensions between Sage and the board after the summer transfer window.
Arbeloa and Fulham
Fulham had three Premier League defeats in a row under Arbeloa. Fulham also drew with Liverpool and Manchester United, suffered a late collapse against Ipswich Town, and then had consecutive victories over Hull City and Coventry.
Lampard and Coventry City
Coventry City had recent wins against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United under Lampard. Lampard had overseen six defeats in eight Premier League matches at Coventry City, with the team scoring 6 times and conceding 15 in those eight matches.