Right club, right manager – why fit still defines success

WHEN it comes to managing a club, some managers simply fit better than others.

For example, David Moyes was perfect for Everton and West Ham, but not for Manchester United. The United job proved too big for him. However, during his earlier spell at Everton, Moyes led the club to a Champions League finish, even surpassing their city rivals.​

Moyes later guided West Ham to a European trophy before returning to Merseyside last season. West Ham, since then, have struggled near the bottom, while Everton climbed to eighth, just three points behind Liverpool.

Can Moyes deliver another miracle and take Everton into a coveted European spot? Based on their recent 3–0 dismantling of Chelsea, belief is certainly growing among the blue half of Merseyside.​

Jordan Pickford once again showed why he is England’s number one. In contrast, Robert Sanchez appears to lack the confidence required to perform at the highest level.

The issues may extend beyond the pitch, as Liam Rosenior looks out of his depth. Chelsea are on a poor run, with several heavy defeats, raising serious questions about whether he is the right fit.​

Chelsea are a club with a history of elite managers such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel.

Rosenior is not yet operating at that level.

Among rival fans, he is even labelled a “LinkedIn manager” – strong on presentation, but lacking results.

If Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League, will BlueCo remain patient or make another managerial change?​

Rosenior is not alone under pressure. Arne Slot is facing increasing scrutiny after Liverpool failed to build on their Champions League win against Galatasaray, losing instead to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Another disjointed performance saw Slot throw on attacking players in search of a solution, but without any clear structure.​

It was Liverpool’s 10th league defeat of the season, their worst record in a decade. The last time they reached double-digit losses, Brendan Rodgers was still in charge and giving out white envelopes at the end of the season.

Perhaps the most concerning statistic is that Liverpool have been outrun by their opponents in 26 of 30 matches this season. That level of drop-off would have been unthinkable under Juergen Klopp. The intensity is gone, and so is the identity.​

This is unfamiliar territory for Liverpool fans after years of success under Klopp. Slot does not appear to be the natural fit like Klopp. He inherited a strong squad and initially found success, but after significant investment, his limitations are becoming clearer.

The frustration among supporters is growing, especially as performances continue to decline.​

If Everton were to overtake Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot, it would mark a significant shift on Merseyside. The question now is whether FSG will act decisively or remain patient with Slot.​

At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, another harsh reality was exposed. Champions League momentum does not guarantee Premier League results. Spurs suffered yet another defeat under Igor Tudor as Nottingham Forest secured a convincing 3–0 victory.​

The match resembled a boxing contest early on, with Forest absorbing pressure before striking decisively. Football is a cruel sport; if you do not take your chances, you will suffer from it. Once ahead, they controlled the game with composure and discipline. The result allowed Forest to leapfrog Spurs in the table.​

Tottenham are now firmly in a relegation battle, and Tudor does not look like the man to guide them out of it. With no league wins under his management, he is learning quickly that the Premier League is far more demanding than Serie A or Ligue 1.

Spurs showed glimpses of fight, but not enough to suggest survival is guaranteed.​ They were fortunate that West Ham also dropped points. Otherwise, Spurs would have entered the international break in the relegation zone.​

Finally, congratulations to Manchester City for winning the League Cup with a 2–0 victory over Arsenal at Wembley. It brings an end to Arsenal’s hopes of a quadruple this season.

Pep Guardiola once again demonstrated his tactical brilliance.​

The key question now is whether this defeat will impact Arsenal’s title challenge. The international break offers an opportunity to reset. For Arsenal, the priority remains clear: the Premier League title. Everything else is secondary.