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Premier League Managers As Sneakers
After a short break, the Premier League 20/21 season is well and truly underway, with it expected to be the most competitive season yet. Unpredictable scorelines are nothing new but still come as a surprise. If we start on VAR controversies only three games in; we could be here all day, so let's keep it moving.
Sneakers and football don't share many overt similarities, but sneakers do offer versatility for many things; such as, how you wear them, and for describing the performances of the Premier League managers that finished in the top ten from the 19/20 season. What more could a sneakerhead or football fan want?
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool - 1st
Getting Liverpool their first Premier League title in 30 years isn't something to be looked over. The 19/20 Liverpool squad were taken to new heights by Klopp; their Premier League run is one for the books. If Klopp had an undefeated season the OW x AJ4 'Sail' would have been his, but the Dior x Air Jordan 1 is just as good. Have you seen the resale prices?
Pep Guardiola: Machester City - 2nd
The 19/20 season should have been another head-to-head challenge between Liverpool and City for the title, but Liverpool just had that edge. Guardiola had shooters in his squad, with City scoring 102 goals. But, his odd lineups and defensive struggles let him down. Although most of his success comes from his days with Messi, no manager without talent - *coughs* and money - wins back-to-back league titles. The Nike SB Dunk Low 'Chunky Dunky' was a strange sneaker, but the silhouette has a great history.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær: Manchester United - 3rd
A man in over his head, just like Moyes he got the United job and bagged third on a technicality and through capitalising on his rivals failures. Many - us included - have enjoyed the suffering of United fans and, long may it continue with Ole at the wheel. The Adidas ZX Flux comes to mind when you think about Ole; people warmed to it at first but, eventually, it fell off the face of the earth, which is the direction he's going. But how much longer will Ole last?
Frank Lampard: Chelsea - 4th
Although Ole dunked on Super Frank twice, achieving a top-four finish (level on points with Manchester United) with a transfer ban was not an easy feat. For his first season in charge, Lampard overachieved as Chelsea received the least top-four predictions for the 19/20 season. There's no better sneaker than the adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner, to sum up, Lampard's 19/20 season, surrounded by uncertainty at first but it delivered the goods in the end.
Brendan Rodgers: Leicester City - 5th
Brendan Rodgers had everyone fooled at the beginning of the season. Leicester had a decent run, beating Spurs and Arsenal along the way. Rodgers had set Leicester up for a top-four finish, but two wins out of nine after the restart was never enough. The Air Jordan 1 Mid 'Smoke Grey' summarised Rodgers season, good; but not good enough.
Jose Mourinho: Tottenham Hotspur - 6th
The Special One has accolades for days, but the latter years of his managerial career haven't been all glitz and glamour. Stepping into the job in November, Mourinho's first season at Tottenham was like a black Supreme x Air Force 1. His Spurs took three points off of Arsenal, Leicester and Manchester City but still didn't qualify for the Champions League. Mourinho was capable of getting the job done, but back-to-back injuries held him back.
Nuno Espirito Santo: Wolverhampton Wanderers - 7th
Nuno's Wolves done the double over Manchester City, were on course to qualify for the Europa League until Arsenal swept that out from under their feet through their FA Cup win. Nuno has cemented Wolves as a top ten side, able to grab points off the big six due to his ability to adapt their game depending on the opponent. Look no further than the Converse Chuck Tylor All Star. You can dress it up, or dress it down; it'll always be a staple sneaker in any collection.
Mikel Arteta: Arsenal - 8th
Arteta took over Arsenal in January providing some relief to the "Emery, wallahi you are not a coach," brigade. He kicked off his managerial career with a convincing 2-0 win over Manchester United. Although Arsenal registered their worst finish, Arteta has implemented structure and organisation into the team. The Air Jordan 4 Black Cat is the best AJ4 colourway and, so far, Arteta's appointment looks like the best decision made by the board.
Chris Wilder: Sheffield United - 9th
To take newly-promoted Sheffield United to a top ten finish in their first season back in the Premier League was not expected by anyone. Wins and draws against the big six show that Wilder knows how to set up his team to hold their own. He is the ever-reliable Nike Air Max 95 OG Neon, durable as ever and in a league of its own.
Sean Dyche: Burnley - 10th
The highlight of Sean Dyche's season was beating United at Old Trafford as well as nicking a point at Anfield. But he'll want to forget about the 'White Lives Matter' banner flying over the Etihad, before a 5-0 loss to Manchester City. Dyche sets Burnley up to play long balls from the back and to play a low block. There's nothing drippy about him, but he'll grind out a win somehow. The Reebok Classic Leather comes to mind; you either love them or hate them.
How did we do - is there any sneaker you'd change?
Spotlight
Are you looking for some authentic and entertaining football podcasts and content creators to follow throughout the season? Look no further than these platforms:
Deluded Gooner: Twitter - YouTube
Goal Diggers UK: Twitter - YouTube
The Beautiful Game: Twitter - YouTube
The Final 3rd: Twitter - YouTube
Touchline Fracas: Twitter - YouTube
Black Lives Matter:
blackmentalhealthmatters.carrd.co/
Music: Yizzy - Thierry Henry