Ex-refs chief names the Premier League’s two worst-behaved managers, reveals where Mikel Arteta places in the hall of shame
Mikel Arteta is just above now-sacked Wolves boss Vitor Pereira in terms of the worst-behaved managers in the Premier League this season.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that he feels Mikel Arteta still the worst conduct of any manager but has cleaned up his act in recent times.
Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware in recent years has seen Arteta grow increasingly overzealous towards the opposition on the sidelines while his side are playing.
He picked up the most bookings of any Premier League manager in 2023-24, but was further down that list last season as he seemed to calm down somewhat.
Vitor Pereira certainly did not look calm at any point while he was in charge of Wolves, and their dismal fortunes at the start of this term seemed to only rile him up further and eventually cost him his job.
Pereira was sent-off against Brighton in October after he kicked a spare match ball in the direction of the dugout, but he avoided a touchline ban and was instead fined £15,000 for misconduct.
Wolves recently sacked Pereira for the club’s poor form, but speaking exclusively on Football Insider’s Final Whistle show, Hackett picked him out as one of worst-behaving managers in the top-flight, but still behind Arteta so far this season.
He said: “Sometimes I have sympathy with Mikel Arteta because, I’ve got to tell you, Arsenal have (been on the end of) some pretty awful decisions over recent seasons.
“In fairness, yeah I’d put Arteta at the top. The manager of Wolves (Vitor Pereira), I think he was a bit of a nightmare for referees too.
“Arteta, I think in recent weeks, to be honest with you, has improved his behaviour, and therefore I think we should recognise that. He seems to have calmed down a little bit. Is that because his team is near the top? I don’t know.
“I think he suddenly recognises that, when he did get that ban (at the end of last season)…sitting in the directors box watching a game of football and not being able to communicate accurately with his coaching staff, he recognised then the importance of trying to avoid future yellow cards or red cards.”
Ollie Farrow also thinks Arteta is the most unruly Premier League manager right now
Former PGMOL chief Hackett previously told Football Insider that Arteta had “damaged” Arsenal’s reputation with his poor conduct on the sidelines.
Football Insider creator and Arsenal fan Ollie Farrow shared Hackett’s sentiments on Arteta on the show and also admitted that he sees him as the worst-behaved boss in the Premier League.
He said: “I think, and this is obviously going against my club, but (the worst-behaved PL manager) is probably Mikel Arteta.
“He’s never in his box, he’s always going out, screaming. Obviously he’s had a few cards here and there, so I think it has to be Arteta.
“I love it. It’s good to have a manager that shows that he loves his club and wants to win games, but obviously you have to (play by) the rules, and if you’re breaking them, you’re going to get sanctioned.“