As the 2025/26 Premier League season reaches its halfway point, a handful of managers are under increasing scrutiny for the way their teams are playing. While some clubs have found rhythm and identity on the pitch, others continue to struggle with tactics that seem either outdated or poorly suited to their squad.
Here are the main Premier League managers whose teams are suffering from clear tactical issues this season.
Premier League Managers With Tactical Dilemmas
Ruben Amorim – Manchester United
Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been one of the most discussed tactical stories of the season.
Appointed in November 2024, Amorim brought his favoured 3-4-2-1 system to Old Trafford. Despite a major summer investment in attacking players like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, United have struggled to click consistently.
Critics have argued that the Premier League manager’s rigid formation does not suit his personnel and limits creativity, particularly in midfield and chance creation. Many have publicly questioned his insistence on the system, saying it leaves key attackers in awkward positions and fails to maximise the strengths of United’s squad.
The team’s results have been mixed, and while they have shown resilience at times, tactical confusion remains a recurring theme.
Amorim himself has resisted calls to change his philosophy, famously saying he would not abandon his tactical approach “not even for the Pope.” However, recent matches have seen tentative shifts, including using a four-man defence out of necessity.
Thomas Frank – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s season under Thomas Frank has also attracted criticism.
After a promising stint with Brentford, Frank was hired by Spurs in June 2025, but results have been inconsistent, and league position underwhelming. Fans and pundits have pointed to Tottenham’s inability to establish a clear attacking identity – the team often appears predictable and suffers from obvious tactical issues that make them easy to analyse and disrupt, almost as if opponents have enough material to do my dissertation on how Spurs set up and where their structure breaks down.
Recent defeats and poor runs have increased the pressure on the Premier League manager, with some former Spurs players calling for a change in leadership.
While Frank has shown tactical flexibility at times, Spurs’ struggles to control games and convert possession into goals have been telling. Opponents often find space in wide areas, exposing a defensive structure that lacks cohesion.
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Rob Edwards – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves’ campaign has been one of the bleakest displays of tactical dysfunction in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Under manager Rob Edwards, Wolves have endured a historically poor run – failing to win any of their first 17 league games and matching an unwanted Premier League record for the lowest points tally by Christmas. Their style of play has been criticised for lacking shape, confidence and attacking threat, with opponents frequently exploiting gaps between the lines.
Whether it’s the team’s defensive frailties or a failure to adapt tactics mid-game, Wolves have looked overwhelmed by the demands of the division. With relegation looming, Edwards faces a major test to reset his tactical plan in the second half of the season.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / News Images
Recording Date: 08.12.2025
