Premier League Sack Race Power Rankings: The Safest Seats (20–11)

The managerial carousel is revving up again, but not everyone’s clinging on for dear life. Here’s my take on the Premier League sack race — the calm end of the pool, places 20 to 11 — where job security looks sturdy, form is strong, and boards appear in no mood for panic. If you’re weighing up the mood around the dugouts as much as the matches themselves, have a look at the best betting sites to gauge how the markets see it too. In this game, silverware, stability and projects with purpose buy a manager time.

How we’ve judged it

Context is king: recent results, squad transitions, injuries, boardroom appetite for change and, crucially, whether the fanbase is still onside. With that in mind, here are the bosses least likely to be packing their desks any time soon.

20. Mikel Arteta — Arsenal (last season: 2nd)

Three straight years of getting close without getting over the line is maddening, yet the project remains trusted. Arteta had big absences to juggle with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz out for spells, but Declan Rice took on greater responsibility and Arsenal went deep in Europe, bowing out only in the Champions League semis to eventual winners PSG. The wait for a major domestic prize goes on, and seeing Liverpool and Spurs collect honours will sting, but even with Martin Odegaard’s injury setback, the Gunners look organised and on course. Arteta’s seat? Cool as you like.

19. Pep Guardiola — Manchester City (last season: 3rd)

City’s blip was seismic by their standards. Rodri’s ACL rupture derailed the title defence and the run finally ended. But if the club were ever going to sack Pep, last season would have been the moment — instead, he inked a deal through 2027. Kevin De Bruyne’s departure signals a refresh, new sporting director Hugo Viana has arrived, and additions like Tijani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Aït-Nouri suggest evolution, not revolution. Pep’s future is always more about his choice than the club’s. The chop? Unthinkable.

18. Arne Slot — Liverpool (last season: 1st)

A title-winning debut is as good as it gets. Slot earned the trust capital that managers at Anfield traditionally enjoy. The champions have gone big: Alexander Isak for a record fee, plus Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Teething issues? Sure — three defeats on the bounce raise an eyebrow — but bedding in that many signings takes time. The culture’s intact and the football is progressive. Only a prolonged slump changes the picture.

17. Oliver Glasner — Crystal Palace (last season: 10th)

Palace’s first major trophy under Glasner was a genuine fairytale, and the football’s been bold with it. Even minus Eberechi Eze for stretches, the Eagles kept their edge, piecing together a 19-match unbeaten run that only Everton halted. Glasner’s swagger — and his willingness to challenge the division’s heavyweights — carried all the way to Wembley. The mood in south London is buoyant; there’s zero appetite for change.

16. Andoni Iraola — Bournemouth (last season: 9th)

Remember the uproar when Gary O’Neil was replaced? Looks a touch daft now. Iraola has Bournemouth punching up, taking scalps — a 3-0 at Old Trafford, a league double over Arsenal — while evolving the style. Even after losing Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) and Ilya Zabarnyi (PSG), they’ve kept their bite with Antoine Semenyo stepping up. If anything, the bigger risk is a bigger club tempting him away.

15. Régis Le Bris — Sunderland (promoted)

The Wembley climb back to the top flight buys time, and Le Bris has earned it with adaptable, modern coaching. He’s trusted the kids — Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham — and added savvy with Granit Xhaka handed the armband. Of the promoted trio, Sunderland look the best equipped to stick. Ninth after seven games and playing with Premier League know-how — this is no novelty act.

14. David Moyes — Everton (last season: 13th)

Moyes steadied a listing ship in January 2025 after that punishing 10-point deduction had dragged the Toffees back into trouble. With the Friedkin Group now at the helm and Goodison’s mood reset, the football is pragmatic and prickly again. Jack Grealish’s loan adds punch, and a 3-2-2 start includes ending Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run. James Tarkowski talking Europe doesn’t sound outlandish under this manager. Security level: solid.

13. Thomas Frank — Tottenham Hotspur (last season: 17th)

From Brentford legend to Spurs head coach, Frank’s step up comes with pressure and Champions League nights. Taking over from Ange Postecoglou — who delivered Europa League glory — split opinions, but investment has sharpened the squad and, crucially, the football looks lively again. Results are trending north and the fans are warming. A sacking? Only if the wheels inexplicably come off.

12. Eddie Howe — Newcastle United (last season: 5th)

Ending a 56-year trophy drought with the Carabao Cup bought Howe serious credit, and he didn’t stop there: Champions League qualification returned as well. Even after cashing in on Alexander Isak to Liverpool, recruitment — Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa — keeps the project on course. With the ownership ambitious but patient, Howe’s case is rock solid.

11. Fabian Hürzeler — Brighton & Hove Albion (last season: 8th)

Thirty-one years old, highest level of calm. The league’s youngest manager arrived from St. Pauli and immediately looked at home. An ugly 7-0 against Forest might have spooked a lesser side, but Brighton reset and kicked on. The next leap is silverware — Palace’s FA Cup win will sting — yet Hürzeler feels like a long-term bet. Brighton don’t panic, and neither does he.

From here on, the temperature rises. But for this lot, the only “sack race” they’re running is away from it.