Ranking EPL's six new managers

As we're now a third of the way into the English Premier League season, it's a good time to judge the new managers at the helm of some of the most famous clubs across the land. With new philosophies clashing and playing styles altered by fear of failure and the need for results, it certainly hasn't been easy for the six new managers who took charge over the summer.

While some have fared better than others, amazingly all six still have jobs, as the infamous "sack race" has yet to yield a victim. Don't hold your breath though.

In the past, the financial cash cow of the EPL has caused trigger-happy chairmen to fire managers extremely early in campaigns. And with the threat of relegation to the Championship bigger than ever this season -- due to the EPL television rights money doubling for next season -- some of these new managers might not be around much longer.

But let's put that negativity aside; here's how the EPL's six new managers have fared so far:

1. Steve Clarke, West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion has been the surprise team of the EPL, and in his first head-coaching role, Clarke has excelled. The Scotsman is stamping his own style on the Baggies, with a blend of steely defense and lightning-quick, counterattacking soccer.

Romelu Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea, is pivotal to West Brom's game plan. The towering Belgian teenager is charged with holding the ball up and relieving the pressure the Baggies soak up. When Lukaku does that, his teammates come alive. Penetrating runs from midfielders arrive to support, with a successful quick transition game responsible for West Brom currently sitting fifth in the table.

To read the full story about how the six new managers in the EPL have done this season, plus get all of ESPN Insider's soccer content, sign up and become an Insider.

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Joe Prince-Wright

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Joe Prince-Wright is a freelance writer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is a former college soccer player and now plays for Arbroath FC in the Scottish Second Division. He's covered the English Premier League, Serie A, Major League Soccer and the U.S. national team for several years.