If you have ever played Football Manager – or Championship Manager for those of us of a certain age… – then you will know that the conclusion of a major international tournament will typically bring about a number of managerial casualties.
Indeed, the FIFA World Cup will bring a number of expectations along with them as national federations will want to make sure that they are not embarrassed on the biggest stage of them all.
This, subsequently, puts even more pressure on the shoulders of the manager and the group of players he selects to go out there and perform. This year’s competition will be no different, even if the conditions are perhaps not the best in regard to playing football.
Now, while Betway Sportsbook may have Brazil as the favourites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter, we already know that there will be some change at Selecao regardless of whether they are successful or not in Qatar.
Tite has already announced that he will be leaving his post following the conclusion of the competition, while The Netherlands will have Ronald Koeman starting his job with the national team following the end of the tournament, too.
However, will we see any managers getting sacked in the morning? Quite possibly.
Indeed, a lot of it will depend on the results and performances that are put in on the field as we mentioned, but for some countries, it will be to win the competition or do not bother coming back.
Didier Deschamps may feel he is in that particular category after guiding France to success in 2018, but suffering a poor 2020 Euro Championships. He does have a record of never being sacked, though, so perhaps he will walk rather than blotch his CV?
Another man that may also decide to protect his resume should the team he manages fail to do well in this year’s competition is Luis Enrique. He will lead out Spain in Qatar, and while they are not favoured compared to others, there will be some high expectations given the squad that they have.
Lastly, Gareth Southgate might be feeling the pressure as England boss more and more recently. A disappointing UEFA Nations League campaign thus far which has seen two defeats to Hungary will have left him feeling the heat, even before he got to the Middle East.
And, with a disappointing end to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in a competition many back home felt was England’s best chance, and a penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the 2020 Euros, some might feel that a Final appearance is a bare minimum this year.
