In a season as unpredictable as any, with the big boys getting a reality check across the German and French Leagues, to teams trying to find form over in England. It’s the box office names to be slightly in the shadows this year and face media scrutiny; we’re looking at you here Pep Grumpiola and Carlo Ancelotti.
Yeah, yeah, the eyebrow man is currently top of the Bundesliga – but only on goal difference, and failed to win his Champions League group – on a more positive note for Carlo, they did draw Arsenal in the last 16.
There’s also been managers who have forked out a summer bill only comparable to Donald Trump’s Presidential election campaign, who then decide to be more, Ebenezer Scrooge, by cancelling Christmas due to his side’s poor form; there’s certainly no Jose Mourin-ho-ho around Manchester this year.
But, there’s others who have really impressed; really put the cat amongst the pigeons by overperforming this side of the calendar year, and all deserve the full Christmas trimmings come the 25th of December…
Walter Mazzarri
Full credit to the next Pochettino of the league. The Hornets are somehow seventh in the league, even with a pair of strikers who couldn't finish their dinner. Source: Twitter
Lucien Favre
Somehow got Balotelli playing ok, and managed to knock PSG off their perch by leading Nice to the top of Ligue 1 so far. What's next in France, the National Front to run the country? Source: Twitter
Claude Puel
Southampton; forever the club who get ransacked in the summer. Yet, they always come again, and find a solution. Going solidly at 10th in the league, helps with Virgil van Dijk at the back, and big Charlie Austin up top. Source: Twitter
Tony Pulis
Not even a bill just shy of four million from Crystal Palace will stop, Tony. There's no old school like the old school, and Pulis is the headmaster. Source: Twitter
Eusebio Sacristan
Perhaps not known to some, but to give you an insight, Eusebio took over from Moyesie at Real Sociedad. Yeah, that club, another one the Scot did his best to ruin. Well, Eusebio has taken the Basque club to fifth in the league season, one off CL spot and that's just on goal difference. Fair play, pal. Source: Twitter
Sean Dyche
Currently on a slightly bumpy run with one win in four. But the Viking himself has led his side to 13th in the league; some improvement from a couple of year ago. Source: Twitter
Ralph Hasenhüttl
Don't care what you say about, RB Leipzig, the fact they are level on points with Bayern Munich is stunning. Money hasn't always brought success, so you've got to take your hat off to the Austrian gaffer. Source: Twitter
Anotnio Conte
Come on then, get your pitchforks out and start moaning that the Italian has millions to spend blah blah blah. We don't care, to put a nine game winning streak together, after struggling so badly means Conte's got top spot for the manager of the season so far. Source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: The XI who are playing way above their pay grade this season
These chaps have all had an outstanding few months, and we’ll see what the new year brings them all. They might even have a summer credit card the size of Mourinho’s if they can continue in the same form for 2017.
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