'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Graham Potter
After becoming a casual topic for chats in football circles about how underrated he is, Graham Potter is finally becoming the hot property in the Premier League. Under his tutelage, Brighton have started the season in sublime fashion. Potter is known for lifting teams from the mud and putting them on a pedestal with the big boys.
In his first job at Swedish club Ostersunds, he took them from the fourth tier of to the top division Allsvenskan in successive seasons. Before anyone could get a fair idea of what was happening, Ostersunds were competing in the Europa League qualifiers and made it into the group stages in 2017.
A brief spell at Swansea followed after his successful venture in Sweden. In 2019 he took charge of Brighton and Hove Albion. In his two seasons at Brighton they have finsihed 15th and 16th respectively, clocking a points tally of 41 both times.
Potter has shown great faith in his players and has always backed them regardless of the results. Shane Duffy is a case in point who, after enduring a horrendous loan spell at Celtic last season, is one of Brighton's biggest sparks this season.
The fluidity of Brighton's system and the quick transition that they put in while shifting from attack to defense and vice versa is a testament to Potter's genius. Brighton line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation on paper but their clever transition allows them to attack in a 3-2-5 role with the wing-backs heavily involved.
Brighton play like a proper top six club would desire. The Seagulls can play out from the back, are confident in possession and can progress the ball through midfield at will. Brighton's xG has been pretty high as well, but they have lacked clinical finishing in front of goal and Potter can hardly do anything about it.
#2 Steven Gerrard
The fact that as soon as Newcastle United's Saudi takeover was complete rumors linking Steven Gerrard to the club started emerging is proof of his credentials. At a club with a rich history like Rangers, Gerrard inherited a challenge that many before him succumbed to.
Fierce rivals Celtic dominated the Scottish Premiership for a decade and the Rangers faithful's wait for the club's 55th title felt like it would never end. Enter Gerrard. The Liverpool legend started tackling the loopholes one by one. He gave them an identity to stick along with, something that had been very oblivious under those previously at the helm.
Recruitment was on point and brutally aimed at replenishing the engine as only four players from the 2019-19 season were part of their Invincible campaign last season. The Scottish side functions with a double pivot in the middle of the park with their full-backs heavily involved in attack.
Gerrard, a midfielder himself, ensures that his team allow enough space and time for their midfielders to roam around. Stevie G hands immense positional responsibility to his players and can be seen fuming when his players are caught out of position unnecessarily. In his 186 matches at helm, Rangers have won 120 games and lost only 27.
It certainly seems like a move to a more competitive league with a new club is just around the corner for Gerrard.
#1 Thomas Frank
There weren't many who were aware of Thomas Frank until this season when Brentford successfully realized their dream of becoming a Premier League side. The 47-year old is in his ninth year of senior football management. His tactics have been central to the Bees' meteoric rise from a mid-table Championship side to one of the Premier League's most exciting clubs.
Frank relies on a 3-5-2 system that quickly turns into a 3-4-2-1 as Brentford grow into the game and find themselves on the frontfoot while attacking. The Bees play high-intensity football backed by relentless pressing and Frank has conditioned his team extremely well to find empty spaces.
Unlike Steven Gerrard, who lays great emphasis on positional responsibility, Brentford are adventurous and there is frequent change of positioning involved. The Danish manager likes his centre-backs to play the ball from the back and allows for them to join in the play higher up the pitch.
Frank's ever-evolving tactics helped Brentford finish third twice in the Championship in each of the previous two campaigns. And though the promotion play-off final results were not in the favor of the Bees in 2019-20, last year was all theirs.
After ten attempts the club finally made it into the English top-flight and they are providing all the entertainment one would have asked for. Brentford have only lost two of their opening eight games this season, both 1-0.
One against Premier League title favorites Chelsea and the other against high-flying Brighton. They also produced a remarkable 2-0 win over Arsenal in the opening day of the season.
The 3-3 draw against Liverpool was the highlight of their Premier League journey so far and it was proof that Frank is more than capable of handling pressure situations. Brentford might soon have to try everything they can to keep hold of the Dane.
