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Gillette Pressure Rankings | Top 5 PL managers feeling the heat

Every Monday morning on OTB AM, we bring you the Gillette Pressure Rankings - and this week we to...



Every Monday morning on OTB AM, we bring you the Gillette Pressure Rankings - and this week we took a look at the top five managers who will be feeling the heat heading into next season. 

Regardless of the final top-flight standings, there are a number of Premier League managers who will be looking over their shoulders heading into the 2020/21 campaign.

For some second place just isn't good enough, while for others the pressure will be to move much further away from the relegation dogfight when the action resumes in September.

Eoin Sheahan took us through the top five:

5. Dean Smith (Aston Villa)

"You might disagree with this. There's a little element of truth to what Roy Keane is saying - this [avoiding relegation] is possibly the last note of positivity before things start to get real.

"Jack Grealish being linked with everybody is not idle paper talk... you lose your best player.

"You're getting a stronger Premier League next season with Leeds and West Brom coming in... I think Villa get relegated even with Jack Grealish, so they need to spend, and they need to spend well."

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4. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

"Frank Lampard has already spent a tonne of money going into next season. They absolutely need to turn that money into a Premier League title challenge.

"Otherwise, Frank Lampard is in trouble. [Their signings] all point towards a Premier League title challenge that the board will expect, and I'm not sure Frank Lampard will deliver it."

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard celebrates their win with Antonio Rudiger after the final whistle during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London.

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3. José Mourinho (Tottenham)

"I think you put yourself under added pressure when you are celebrating and being jubilant and hugging and cheering when you've finished sixth in the Premier League.

"Tottenham seem pretty happy with themselves finishing sixth and qualifying for the Europa League.

"José Mourinho is under pressure for a number of reasons - first of all, the chairman has form on making big decisions based on small-ish sample size.

"Mauricio Pochettino's sacking shocked a lot of people. Will José Mourinho get a bit of extra time because he's José Mourinho? Maybe. I don't necessarily think so."

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2. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United)

"I think he will be under pressure immediately once the first ball is kicked next season. It's the same situation as Frank Lampard here.

"So, what is the next step for a team that's finished third in the Premier League? They have to try and crack the big two. Can that Manchester United squad crack the big two next season? I don't believe so."

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1. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

"There is no club under greater pressure at the moment to deliver. It comes immediately against Real Madrid in a few weeks' time.

"They've also put pressure on themselves for the Premier League next season - 18 points off Liverpool is how they finished. It was a terrible, terrible season by their own standards."

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Gillette is inspiring people to be the best versions of themselves – through its partnerships with sports best role models such as Paul O’Connell, they aim to inspire more people to be the best versions of themselves and show they’re made of what matters.

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Read more about

Dean Smith Eoin Sheahan Frank Lampard Gillette Jose Mourinho Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Pep Guardiola Pressure Rankings