A new mini-feature on the site for the new season is the introduction of the manager Power Rankings, where every month we list out the Top 5 tacticians from across Europe’s top leagues. October’s Power Rankings features five managers who’ve played key roles as the table begins to take shape.
5. PATRICE GARANDE // CAEN
The 55 year old Frenchman who was the assistant manager of Caen from 2005 to 2012 before getting pushed up and put in primary control of the club. Garande oversaw Caen’s undefeated streak of three games that were played in the month of November. The club, currently sitting third in the league had a solid 7 points taken from a possible 9 last month, courtesy of wins against Guingamp and Bordaeux and a draw against Angers; 6 goals scored in the process and conceding just two. An eventual second half against Guingamp and a more than entertaining away game against Bordaeux should put Garande is the right books with fans.
Formations Used: Garande primarily stuck with a 4-1-4-1 system through out the month of November. One can argue why bother changing something that seems to work.
Key Player: A tough contest for this one between Nicholas Seube and Andy Delort with both having an impact on their teams performances in their respective parts of the pitch but Delort is given our vote due to to goals he bagged as well as the fact that Seube was brought off after 60 minutes against Angers.
4. VICTOR SANCHEZ // DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Victor Sanchez has made his way up since starting his coaching career in 2010 since getting the role of assistant manager at Getafe. The Spaniard now sits at the helm with Deportivo under his control and has done rather well for himself. Deportivo played three games in the month of November and went undefeated through the month with a draw to begin with and two wins to seal a good 7 points from a possible 9. A draw against Levante and wins against Celta and Las Palmas saw his team score 5 goals and concede just one. After a poor October, the team’s performance in November can be given due praise for placing them in the European spots.
Formations Used: Sanchez saw switched primarily between two formations in the season so far: a 4-2-3-1 with Lucas being an important part of the attack as seen in the games against Levante and Celta and a 4-4-2 as seen against Las Palmas.
Key Player: Lucas Perez was the key player for Victor Sanchez’s side in November with credit due to his goal scoring form during the month. The 27 year old bagged three in three games.
3. MAURIZIO SARRI // NAPOLI
The 56 year old has had a long managing career so far and the latest venture sees him take over a Napoli side that wasn’t too pleased with Rafa Benitez. The month started off with a stalemate at Genoa but things definitely did pick up from there: a 1-0 win against Udinese followed by an away victory against Hellas Verona courtesy a 0-2 scoreline built the perfect run in for the game against Inter on the last day of the month. Sarri’s men sealed the month in style with a 2-0 home victory against the table toppers bringing the club’s performance to simple yet power stats: 10 points from a possible 12 with letting just one goal in. We’d say the Napoli faithful ought to be happy with that.
Formations Used: Sarri employed a 4-3-3 throughout the month of November. Higuain and Callejon were key components of the Napoli attacking with Insigne joining them in three out of the four games.
Key Player: Without doubt, Higuain stands out in terms of performances in the month of November. The former Madrid man consistently found the back of the net 4 times in 4 games.
2. JURGEN KLOPP // LIVERPOOL
Having joined the Merseyside club after the departure of Brendan Rodgers, all eyes have been on the German, analysing his every move. Klopp’s Liverpool had three games in the month of November: an upbeat Palace side, Manchester City and Swansea. Despite starting of the month with a disappointing loss against the Eagles, the enthusiastic 48 year old spurred his side on to a significant victory over Manchester City with a comprehensive 1-4 scoreline at the end of the 90. Liverpool carried forth their positive energy over to the game against Swansea where they one by a one goal margin. November saw six points from a possible 9 for Klopp and given how relatively new he is to the English football scene, we’d say that’s more than half decent.
Formations Used: Klopp has stuck to a 4-2-3-1 throughout the month of November with a variety of faces in and out of the front four and understandably so since Klopp is bent on searching for his best combinations himself.
Key Player: Despite featuring in two of the three games in November, Countinho worked out to be our key player for Klopp’s Liverpool side in the month of November, thanks to his two goals and an assist.
1. LUIS ENRIQUE // BARCELONA
Former Roma and Celta manager Luis Enrique is in his second season with the Catalan club and seems to be doing a good job on and off the pitch. Barcelona had three games in the month of November: a tricky fixture against Villarreal, an El Clasico to deal with and a match against Real Sociedad. Domination would be the right term to describe Barcelona’s performances in November having scored a total of 11 goals and conceded none. Just to emphasize the domination, of the 11 goals, 4 of them were scored at the Bernabeu.
Formations Used: A standard interchangeable Barcelona styled 4-3-3 was used throughout the month with Neymar and Suarez the key figures in attack.
Key Player: Neymar takes the imaginary trophy we’d like to had out for his performances in November: 5 goals and 2 assists. Irrelevant but we’d still like to plug the fact that he is still 23.
Written by Razim Refai
- Talent Radar Young Players Team of the Week #24: Niklas Sule, Kingsley Coman, and more - March 15, 2016
- Talent Radar Young Players Team of the Week #21: Alireza Jahanbaksh, Jurgen Locadia and more - February 16, 2016
- Talent Radar Young Goalkeeper Rankings: Jack Butland reclaims top position - February 16, 2016
