With the 2025/26 Premier League season now halfway through, some managers are coming under increasing scrutiny on the way their teams play. While some clubs have found a rhythm and identity on the pitch, others still struggle with tactics that seem outdated or inappropriate for their teams.

Here are the key Premier League managers whose teams are suffering from clear tactical problems this season.

Premier League managers face tactical dilemma

Ruben Amorim – Manchester United

Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been one of the most discussed tactical stories of the season.

Amorim takes over in November 2024, bringing his preferred 3-4-2-1 system to Old Trafford. Despite significant summer investment in attacking players such as Brian Mbemo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Cesko, United have struggled to maintain consistent performances.

Critics believe the Premier League manager’s rigid formation does not suit his personnel and limits creativity, particularly in midfield and chance creation. Many have openly questioned his insistence on this system, saying it puts key attackers in awkward positions and fails to maximize the United side’s strengths.

The team’s results have been mixed, and while they have shown resilience at times, tactical chaos remains a recurring theme.

Amorim himself has resisted calls to change his philosophy, famously saying that he would not abandon his tactical approach “even for the sake of the Pope”. However, recent games have seen a tentative shift, including the use of a four-man defense out of necessity.

Thomas Frank – Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham’s season under Thomas Frank has also attracted criticism.

Frank was hired by Tottenham in June 2025 after a promising spell at Brentford, but results were inconsistent and league positions were poor. Fans and pundits point to Tottenham’s inability to establish a clear attacking identity – the team often appears predictable and has glaring tactical issues that make them easy to analyze and undermine, almost as if opponents have enough material to complete my thesis on how Tottenham were built and how their structure fell apart.

Recent defeats and poor performances have increased pressure on Premier League managers, with some former Spurs players calling for a change in leadership.

While Frank showed tactical flexibility at times, Spurs’ efforts to control the game and convert possession into goals spoke volumes. Opponents often looked for space out wide, exposing a defensive structure that lacked cohesion.

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Rob Edwards – Wolves

Wolves’ season has been one of the most dismal displays of tactical failure in the 2025/26 Premier League.

Wolves have endured their worst record in history under head coach Rob Edwards – winning none of their first 17 league games – and equaled their lowest points tally in the Premier League before Christmas. Their style of play has been criticized for lacking shape, confidence and attacking threat, with opponents often exploiting the gaps between the lines.

Whether it was the team’s defensive weaknesses or a failure to adjust their tactics mid-game, the Wolves looked overwhelmed by the demands of the division. With relegation looming, Edwards faces a major test in the second half of the season as he recalibrates his tactical plans.

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Credit: IMAGO/News Photos

Recording date: December 8, 2025