Will the three-week break put more pressure on managers?

So far this season two coaches have lost their jobs - Paul Heckingbottom at Preston North End and Michael Duff at Wycombe Wanderers. That includes the managers of Fulham and Manchester United, who on Sunday meet at Craven Cottage in the final fixture before players jet off around the world with their countries. It will all be pretty new to Alvaro Arbeloa, appointed as Fulham's manager in the summer after taking charge of just 28 games as Real Madrid boss in the second half of last season. But with no wins and three defeats in his first four Premier League matches, and speculation of unrest among the squad due to players' social media activity, the pressure is already on Arbeloa. It was the first time United had led at home by two goals and lost since they were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham in 1976, half a century ago. Coming on the back of the 1-0 loss to 10-man Manchester City, and with their only victories this season against Ipswich Town and Sabah, Carrick needs results.

In the past 10 years only two managers - Watford's Javi Gracia in 2019 and Nottingham Forest's Nuno Espirito Santo last year - moved on during this break. What about the October stoppage? Again, only two managers have previously lost their jobs during the same period - Francesco Guidolin at Swansea in 2016, and Xisco Munoz at Watford in 2021. In the past 10 campaigns, nine coaches had left their jobs by the time the second international break came along - which is where we are in the number of games. With the first international break upon us, rumblings around certain clubs that have started the season poorly have surfaced. In my time, the October/November international breaks, the pause just after the Christmas period, and then early March would be the three sticking points for any manager who was struggling with results.

Why these breaks are used for clubs to make changes is plain to see. The pause in the season gives football clubs the chance to appoint a new manager with time for them to settle into their new role, to take stock of the surroundings, staff and time to prepare for their first game in charge. After Christmas, usually the first game is an FA Cup match, which again gives the new boss a chance close up to see what they have to work with. First impressions can be a vital starting point, so again the manager has time to prepare and deliver their principles to the lads.

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