5 managers who could be sacked before next season

#2 Paul Lambert (Stoke City)

Lambert needs to do well with Stoke after a poor recent managerial run

The Scottish manager was an underwhelming appointment when he took over from Mark Hughes in January. His last spell in the EPL had ended miserably, with a 29.6% win ratio with Aston Villa.

Two poor periods with Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers followed, and Lambert seemed like a manager who had lost his way. Little wonder, then, that Stoke fans might not have been so enamored with him joining their club.

The team haven't fared well under his tutelage so far either: he has overseen just one win out of nine games. Stoke currently sit second bottom of the league, three points from safety. Lambert maintains they have a good chance of avoiding relegation but it will be a tight call (the team above them, Southampton, have a game in hand, for example).

They still have Liverpool and Spurs to face in their remaining fixtures, and Lambert will need to inspire his players but this looks to be difficult. Striker Saido Berahino has reportedly been banished from the club's trading ground after a falling out with his boss; Xherdan Shaqiri has publicly lambasted the quality of his teammates, something that won't please Lambert.

He seems like a manager struggling against fate. He was appointed on a two and a half year contract but if Stoke are to be relegated this season, Lambert will certainly be replaced.