Very few managers have ever recovered from a poor start and turned things around.
The Arsenal board are hoping that Unai Emery will turn things around but the odds are against him.
I did a quick bit of research looking for evidence of high profile managers turning things around. There was very little.
Sir Alex Ferguson is shown up as the perfect example at Man Utd. Some will argue that Jurgen Klopp did it at Liverpool. But really, that is about it.
I found this on the website 90min – 5 managers who recovered from poor starts to be successful at their clubs but three of them simply do not apply, Pochettino, Sarri and Conte. Their bad starts were right at the start within ten games, not after 18 months.
The Arsenal board should be asking themselves if Emery has the ability to do what almost every single manager in a similar position has failed to do.
I would love to be able to come up with a list of managers that have recovered after 18 months. It is with great regret that I cannot.
It is hard to see Emery being able to be that unique manager that does the unlikely. I mean, he has not really shown any signs that he is capable of doing that.
Some may argue that it is not as bad as what it is being made out. They will point to finishing 5th last season and reaching the Europa League final, that Arsenal was very close to making the Champions League. Some will also argue that we are just twelve games in.
They have valid points, maybe some patience is required. But surely that patience is built on the belief that there is a manager in place with the ability to turn things around?
I just do not see too many that are convinced by that.