In Focus: Five jobless managers ready to take charge

Sacking season is well and truly underway in the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo and Steve Bruce have already lost their jobs with the campaign only three months old.

But their loss will be somebody else's gain. We take a look at the best managers currently out of work.

Frank Lampard

Unemployed since his Chelsea sacking in January, Frank Lampard will be itching to get back into management.

Though he ultimately failed at Stamford Bridge, his desire to bring through young players will be attractive to many potential employers.

And his spell at Derby should not be underestimated either.

The Rams were not expected to challenge for Championship promotion under his tutelage but he guided them to the play-off final, as well as a memorable EFL Cup win at Manchester United.

It remains to be seen whether a top-flight club will be willing to take a risk on Lampard, or if he will have to win promotion from the second tier to get a shot at the highest level again.

Eddie Howe

It is scarcely believable that Eddie Howe has been out of management for 15 months.

And that absence may be beginning to affect his standing in the race for vacant jobs.

Newcastle will reportedly choose Villarreal boss Unai Emery over him.

That is despite Howe’s long tenure at Bournemouth, where he guided them from League Two to the Premier League and kept them in the top flight for five seasons.

Howe is said to be choosing his next job carefully — yet it might be time to jump in wherever he is offered.

Nuno Espirito Santo

Nuno Espirito Santo’s short-lived time at Tottenham should not put other clubs off employing him.

The Portuguese showed at Wolves that he is more than capable of managing a successful Premier League side.

At Molinuex, he was adored by the fans until a slightly underwhelming final season and built a good rapport with the players.

Nuno’s football may not be the most entertaining and that will dissuade potential suitors.

But if a team is stuck in a relegation battle, the 47-year-old is a safe pair of hands.

Paulo Fonseca

It seems inevitable that Paulo Fonseca will eventually get a chance to manage in England.

The ex-Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk boss has been linked with numerous Premier League jobs over the past six months.

While it does not look like he will end up at Tottenham or Newcastle, Aston Villa are said to be interested in the 48-year-old after a downturn in form under Dean Smith.

Fonseca has taken charge of numerous Portuguese clubs as well as a successful three-year spell at Shakhtar.

But his last role at Roma was not a bona fide success and there may be some reservations among fans if he was appointed.

Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman’s spell as Barcelona boss will not be remembered fondly.

But the Dutchman was not dealt an easy hand, especially with Lionel Messi leaving in the summer.

Prior to his role at Barca he had helped reinvigorate the Netherlands, leading his country to the final of the 2019 Nations League.

His time at Southampton — his first post in England — can also be deemed a success, having guided the Saints to finish seventh and sixth.

But an underwhelming stint at Everton combined with a shambolic period at the Camp Nou may harm his chances of another role in the Premier League.