Has changing managers helped these EPL teams?

Since the Premier League season kicked off in August, nine managers have been sacked. Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Everton, West Ham, West Brom, Swansea, Stoke, Watford and Southampton have all parted ways with their managers this term. For some, it has worked, but for others it hasn't at all.

Crystal Palace

The Eagles sacked manager Frank De Boer on September 11th, becoming the first Premier League team to fire a coach after the start of the season. The club hired former Fulham and England manager Roy Hodgson and the team's results improved. Palace moved out of the bottom three after matchday 17, but after four straight losses, the team has returned to 18th in the table; it's two places better than when Hodgson was hired. Crystal Palace were winless and goalless when Hodgson took over.

Leicester City

Claude Puel took over for Craig Shakespeare in October and has taken the team from relegation strugglers to upper-mid-table. Leicester have improved greatly under Puel and the Foxes could finish in a Europa League place. Leicester will also compete this weekend in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

Everton

So much was expected of Everton this season, but Ronald Koeman couldn't get results despite his lavish offseason spending. Koeman was sacked with Everton in 18th place and struggling. His successor, Sam Allardyce, has led the Toffees back up the table. Currently ninth, Everton have an outside shot at making the Europa League.

West Ham

Just three points above the relegation zone, West Ham have done marginally better since David Moyes took over the club. His signing was loathed by Hammers' fans as Moyes got Sunderland relegated a season ago. The club's offseason signings under Slaven Bilic have not worked out and Moyes decision to play veterans to fight off relegation saw promising youngster Reece Oxford loaned out. The Hammers have put together more points under Moyes, but West Ham are far from the danger zone.

West Bromwich

West Brom fans praised the club for sacking Tony Pulis and his ugly, boring style of football. Unfortunately, fans should be aware of what they wish for. Manager Alan Pardew has failed to mount much of a fight. The Baggies went from being slightly outside the relegation zone to propping up the table. West Brom are currently eight points from safety and it is a big gulf.

Swansea City

No one expected Swansea to improve as much as they have under manager Carlos Carvalhal. The club hired Carvalhal just days after he was fire by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. Since arriving at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea have collected 18 from 30 points. The club is also playing in the FA Cup quarterfinals against Tottenham Hotspur.

Stoke City

Stoke are one point from safety and the team has the talent to lift itself out of the relegation dogfight. The team has lost just twice since Paul Lambert took over for Mark Hughes. However, Stoke have won just once. Lambert has made the team incredibly hard to beat as Stoke have picked up four draws. The consistency has helped the Potters in their fight for safety.

Watford

The case of Watford and Marco Silva was a strange one. The team got off to a red-hot start, but Everton's attempt to sign Silva in October caused Watford to cool off. Since hiring Javi Garcia as Silva's replacement, the team has won 10 of 18 points possible. The move has paid off as Watford have strengthened their midtable position and should finish far from relegation this season.

Southampton

Southampton have paid for their sale of the team's best players in each of the last few seasons. The club has sold stars to Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham. It looks like the well has gone dry as the team has struggled. On March 12th, manager Mauricio Pellegrino paid the price for the team's poor play – he had only been hired last summer. The team have replaced him with Mark Hughes and Southampton's hopes now rest on a coach that was sacked by another relegation rival a few week ago.