Roberto De Zerbi Gets 2/10 After Tottenham Take Two Points From Five Premier League Games

Roberto De Zerbi received a score of 2 out of 10, the lowest rating among Premier League head coaches in an early-season assessment published by Mirror Football. Tottenham have taken two points from their opening five league fixtures, leaving the club bottom of the standings despite significant summer spending on squad additions and continued difficulties securing home victories.

Mirror Football reporter Ryan Taylor said an immediate dismissal would be premature, but warned results must improve quickly: “It’s a worry but it’s still too early to suggest De Zerbi deserves the boot, though results must improve quickly.”

David Moyes received the assessment’s only perfect score, 10 out of 10, after guiding Everton through an unbeaten seven-match start across all competitions. Everton did so with limited squad depth after a transfer window that left key positions short of cover.

The lower ratings also included Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeloa and Crystal Palace’s Pierre Sage, both on 3/10. Arbeloa has collected two points from five matches; early attempts to introduce an expansive attacking style exposed defensive vulnerabilities. A recent clean sheet against Liverpool and the development of a midfield pairing featuring Shea Charles and Sander Berge have offered signs of stability. Fulham’s upcoming match against Ipswich Town is identified as a critical milestone against a direct survival rival.

Sage, who succeeded Oliver Glasner, has overseen three defeats in his first five league games while managing changes to the team’s defensive personnel. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick was rated 4/10 after collecting five points from five matches. The assessment points to a gap between United’s possession-based tactical framework and the results needed to meet the club’s objectives.

In the middle tier, Marco Rose was given 5/10. Bournemouth remain winless in domestic league play despite progress in European competition, and face nine matches in 28 days after the international break. Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea tenure began with strong attacking performances, but recent outings have prompted questions about defensive and midfield balance; he received 6/10.

Also rated 6/10, Nottingham Forest’s Oliver Glasner is adapting his preferred formation to the personnel available in a squad in transition. Unai Emery has had to contend with player turnover and injuries at Aston Villa, but retains backing based on his previous structural record at the club. Frank Lampard’s Coventry secured a first league victory against Nottingham Forest after four consecutive defeats against a challenging opening fixture list.

Several managers received 9/10. Enzo Maresca maintained a perfect league record at Manchester City, capped by a Manchester derby win, while scoring contributions across the forward line have spread the attacking workload beyond primary striker Erling Haaland. Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, whose high-pressing system helped secure wins over Arsenal and Coventry, faces a test of team endurance in upcoming European fixtures.

Keith Andrews led Brentford through a five-match unbeaten league start, with effective in-game substitutions noted in the assessment. Daniel Farke earned nine points without defeat at Leeds through tactical adjustments and the integration of summer transfers, although his long-term contract status remains unresolved. Hull’s Sergej Jakirovic collected eight points from five games after major squad changes following promotion.

Mikel Arteta was rated 8/10 after Arsenal opened their title defense with one defeat in five matches; squad rotation was identified as a key factor for the rest of the campaign. Newcastle’s Matthias Jaissle also scored 8/10, collecting eight points after recovering from an early heavy loss to Leeds.

Regis Le Bris received 7/10 for Sunderland’s European progress and competitive performances against top-tier opponents. Gary O’Neil, also rated 7/10, earned two early victories to stabilize Ipswich’s opening campaign. Andoni Iraola’s 7/10 reflected an unbeaten start across three competitions at Liverpool, despite uneven team performances.

Early Premier League managerial assessments can carry operational and financial consequences. Top-flight English clubs have historically averaged between six and 10 managerial changes a season, and boardrooms frequently assess coaching staff during early international breaks between Matchweeks 5 and 10.

Under the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), decisions about managerial changes involve financial calculations. Severance packages for departing coaching staffs, the cost of appointing new management and playing-squad restructuring all affect a club’s compliant spending limits. Expanded UEFA continental tournament formats have also increased match density, leaving clubs competing in Europe with significantly less training-ground time to address tactical issues between fixtures.