Published On: January 5th, 2024
The FA Cup is all set to return this weekend. For the unversed, the game will be live on ESPN+. Everyone has one crucial question: which manager needs to win the competition among all the Premier League teams?
FA Cup Latest News
20 top-flight sides will enter the competition at the third-round stage of the FA Cup Fixtures Premier League today. The exciting part is that only six points separate the top five clubs competing for the FA Cup. This emphasises the importance of the oldest domestic cup in the world, which still has many participants.
Many managers are eying the FA Cup results today as they eye bigger competition prizes. On the other hand, a few others are eyeing this year’s key players. Yet, the main motto is to win the FA Cup, which will help these managers save their jobs.
FA Cup Fixtures Today
ESPN, the channel hosting the FA Cup, eyes the top bosses of the competition that will take place this exciting weekend.
● Pep Guardiola, Manchester City
Guardiola’s principal fear relates to guarding against a drop in hunger. This is as per the standards following Manchester City’s stunning success. The FA Cup is the first competition of the year, which they need to defend. So, Pep Guardiola’s team will be fighting against the Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town.
● Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool
Klopp already knows what fighting on four fronts can do to anyone’s team. Liverpool played 63 games in 2021-22. This is how the team pursued an unprecedented quadruple. It ended up with the domestic double of the FA Cup. Yet, it fell short in the Premier League and lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
● Unai Emery, Aston Villa
He has won two Coupe de la Ligue titles and two different Coupe de France titles. He also boasts three successive Europa League titles with Sevilla. Yet, Emery will want to avoid a repetition of last season’s early exit to Two side Stevenage.
● Eddie Howe, Newcastle United
Howe would have never expected a trip to bitter local rivals Sunderland. The Newcastle United team members have shown signs of fatigue as what seems to be an injury-depleted squad. The team needs help to cope with the demands of combining a top-four push with six games in the Champions League group stage.
● Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
Arteta has transformed Arsenal during his four-year tenure. But there remains a gap between the level needed to fulfil their aspiration of lifting the Premier League trophy. All eyes are on the actual ability of this team at present, and this could be filled by an FA Cup triumph today.
● Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur
Postecoglou has already guided Tottenham to the Premier League’s top four. Currently, the team is five behind the leaders Liverpool. Ande’s team has an attacking brand of football that has enthralled the audience.
● Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea
Pochettino won the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France with PSG. Yet, a few people still question his ability to deliver trophies. Winning the FA Cup would be great for Mauricio Pochettino and his team.
● Erik ten Hag, Manchester United
Manchester United has some systemic problems that the FA Cup needs help fixing. Yet, Ten Hag is trying to prove he should remain as manager already! Hence, Manchester United’s first FA Cup triumph since 2016 would strengthen his argument.
