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A for Antonio Conte but D for Jose Mourinho: Matt Le Tissier grades the Premier League's top-six managers

Jose Mourinho waves to the Old Trafford crowd at the final whistle
Image: Premier League's top managers graded by Matt Le Tissier

Soccer Saturday pundit Matt Le Tissier grades the performances of the Premier League's top-six managers after a third of the season - and it's bad news for Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola have unsurprisingly attracted praise ahead on Saturday's top-of-the-table showdown, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 11.30am.

However, the former Southampton forward has given the "could do better" treatment to Arsenal and Tottenham managers Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino as the north London outfits struggle for form, while Jose Mourinho comes out bottom of the class.

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Here's how Le Tissier has rated the top six's bosses...

Pep Guardiola: B-

I'd say he's been just a bit above average. I was possibly expecting a bit more but I wasn't expecting miracles straight away. Maybe I was expecting City to be a bit more prolific under him.

Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the EFL Cup 4th Round
Image: Pep Guardiola's Man City can return to the top of the table on Saturday

There's been a lot of games where they've wasted chances and they maybe need to have a bit more of a killer instinct. That cost them against Middlesbrough and they've also dropped points against Southampton and Everton when they probably should have won.

Antonio Conte: A

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte celebrates during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Chelsea at Riversi
Image: Antonio Conte's Blues head to the Etihad on a seven-match winning run

He's taken a team which were at best average last season, finishing mid-table, and has sorted them out quickly, changing the formation when he saw it wasn't working.

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To have turned them round so quickly and to have Eden Hazard and Diego Costa back to their best obviously shows great man management so get an A from me.

Jurgen Klopp: A

Rain covers the glasses of Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp as he applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Sout
Image: Jurgen Klopp's men have scored an unmatched 32 goals this term

Again, Liverpool have made big strides to improve from last season. They're probably the best team to watch in the Premier League, scoring more goals than anyone else so far, and are looking like genuine title contenders.

Arsene Wenger: C

Lucas of PSG celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Arsenal
Image: Arsenal lost command of their Champions League group to PSG

I can only give Wenger a C. The reason I say that is the least you expect from Arsenal is to be fourth and not win their Champions League group. They're fourth now and will probably pull Barcelona out of the final 16 draw so it's same old from them.

It's all just a bit average from Arsenal, nothing particularity bad but nothing their fans can really get excited about.

Mauricio Pochettino: C-

Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts at the end of the UEFA Champions League group E football match
Image: Mauricio Pochettino watched his side fall short in their must-win Monaco clash

He has only lost one game in the Premier League but the Champions League failure is certainly a disappointment. Seven points off the top and not to have got out of their group is below expectations considering how good Tottenham were last season.

Jose Mourinho: D

Jose Mourinho shows his frustration after Manchester United are denied a penalty
Image: Jose Mourinho's men have just one league win in seven

To be 11 points off the top of the league is not where United expected to be at this stage. He's been sent to the stands twice already this season so behaviour has been pretty poor as well. If you get a top manager and give him £100m, you don't expect to be this far off the pace after 13 games so it's a fail so far for me.

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