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#3 Steve Bruce (Newcastle United)
Steve Bruce was able to save his skin following a decent run of form in the Premier League towards the business end of the season last time around.
Newcastle were on an eleven-game winless run at one stage and were under serious threat of being relegated. That was when they signed Joe Willock from Arsenal on a season-long loan deal and the young midfielder was able to rescue their Premier League season.
The Magpies have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign the 21-year-old on a permanent deal. Newcastle United, under Mike Ashley, have been under considerable financial pressure. Given that, the reported £20m investment they made in Willock shows the club's intent.
Ashley is hopeful that if he can convince potential buyers that the future is bright for the club, he can get a deal over the line to hand over the reins to the Premier League club.
So a below-per performance come the start of the season would very well bring the curtains down on Bruce's two-year-long stint at St James' Park.
#2 Xisco (Watford)
Watford appointed former Valencia winger Xisco as their new manager back in December last year. The Spaniard did a decent job in helping the Hornets earn automatic promotion to the Premier League.
However, as a few of their previous managers have found out, it is hard to work under the Italian owners at Vicarage Road. The club replaced as many as six managers (two of them caretakers) between January 2018 and December 2020.
Gino Pozzo, the club's managing director and owner, has developed a reputation for being a close observer of proceedings at Watford. He has often been found at the club's training grounds and keeps a close eye on the progress of his players and manager.
Though they have a relatively negotiable first month-and-a-half in the Premier League, Pozzo's patience might soon run out. Especially if he starts feeling that his club isn't performing as per expectations under Xisco in the Premier League.
#1 Patrick Vieira (Crystal Palace)
Patrick Vieira is back in the Premier League, though, this time as manager. Whether he can recreate the magic he did as a player with Arsenal remains to be seen
The Frenchman stepped into coach almost five years following his retirement. His first stint was with Major League Soccer side New York City. Though his side lost in the Conference semi-finals in 2016 it was more or less a satisfactory season for Vieira as manager.
The stint with Nice in Ligue 1 was a step up. But a run of five straight losses and an elimination from the group stages of the Europa League eventually led to his sacking.
The Premier League is obviously the toughest of the three duties he has handled so far and there is a chance that the pressure might turn out to be too much for him.
The Eagles start their Premier League campaign against Chelsea and will face West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Leicester City, Arsenal and Manchester City in their first 10 games.
As was the case with Sheffield United last season, a slow start, resulting in the side hitting rockbottom, could endanger Crystal Palace's season. That could bring an abrupt end to Vieira's career as a Premier League manager.
