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Frank Lampard, Slaven Bilic and Chris Wilder have already fallen victim to the Premier League sack race this season, and it is highly unlikely that the list will end there. Chelsea and West Brom had decided that enough was enough for Lampard and Bilic respectively some time ago, thus kicking off the annual English top-flight sack race, with Sheffield United the latest to make a decision on the man in the dugout.
Whether or not Thomas Tuchel, Sam Allardyce or Paul Heckingbottomwill work out in the long-run remains to be seen, but there are some positive signs already, at least for the German at Stamford Bridge. Their appointments, though, have certainly given other managers in the league a word of warning, in that there is a long list of managers out there who could come in and take over at any given time.
If recent history is anything to go by, a flurry of managerial replacements could occur in the coming months, as we approach the business end of the competition. The last campaign saw plenty of heavy-hitters relieved of their duties, including Mauricio Pochettino and Unai Emery in north London, as well as Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham and Marco Silva at Everton.
Watford meanwhile went through their yearly routine of sacking managers every few months, with Javi Gracia, Quique Sanchez Flores and Nigel Pearson all in and out of the dugout in a flash in an ultimately devastating campaign for the Hornets.
With issues like prize-money and European spots up for grabs, as well as the small matter of relegation, a handful of bosses can expect to be in for a nervy end to the season.
We take a look at the latest betting odds for the next manager to be sacked in the Premier League.
Steve Bruce
Odds to be sacked: 3/1
It’s been another hugely frustrating season for Newcastle fans. Summer arrivals Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis all provided much optimism ahead of the new season, with loan signing Joe Willock having a similar effect on spirits around St James’ Park.
But such high spirits almost always seem to be short-lived for the Magpies, with supporters growing increasingly frustrated with issues on the pitch, and even more so with issues off it.
The majority of fans are understandably upset with current manager Bruce, whose tactics and choices never seem to go down well, particularly with the club now hovering dangerously above the relegation zone. With young and exciting managers such as Frank Lampard and Eddie Howe now available, Bruce may not have many matchdays left as Newcastle manager.
Prediction: Sacked
Sam Allardyce
Odds to be sacked: 6/1
The former England manager was brought in to do what he does best; saving the club from relegation. But things haven’t quite gone to plan for Sam Allardyce at the Baggies so far. Despite a handful of positive results, he has struggled to have any real impact, with the club struggling in 19th in the league table.
Conceding goals has been a real issue for Allardyce’s men, who boast the worst defensive record in the league by some margin. Their 57 goals conceded is 12 worse than Sheffield United’s, while their 20 goals scored is also a major issue, with the Blades the only team behind them in this respect.
Allardyce was undoubtedly only brought in to stave off relegation, and so if he fails to live up to expectations, the Baggies will more than likely appoint a manager for the long-run, one that can help them bounce back into the top-flight next season when the inevitable finally happens.
Prediction: Sacked
Jurgen Klopp
Odds to be sacked: 10/1
Both surprisingly and unsurprisingly, Liverpool favourite Jurgen Klopp now finds himself high up in the list of English football’s next manager to be sacked. The German has become a heroic figure at Anfield, delivering the club their first league title in 30 years, and their first-ever Premier League title. He also guided the Reds to Champions League glory in 2019, and has built a squad bustling with attacking talent.
Wins have, however, dried up in recent months, with the club’s long-standing unbeaten home record falling at the hands of Burnley in January. Moreover, Liverpool have since gone on a six-game losing streak at Anfield, with their former fortress now a place of nightmares.
Despite Klopp’s perfect relationship with the fans, rumours continue to circulate regarding his future, with his name strongly linked with the recently available German national team job. Scottish Premiership winning boss and former Red Steven Gerrard meanwhile has been touted to return to Merseyside in a managerial capacity.
Prediction: Safe
Roy Hodgson
Odds to be sacked: 12/1
Despite guiding Crystal Palace to consistent mid-table finishes, boss Roy Hodgson remains among the leaders that could lose their job this season. The former Liverpool and England manager certainly boasts plenty of experience and know-how, but it hasn’t stopped his name from being put on the list of potential candidates to be sacked.
Again with young, up-and-coming managers looking for another chance at succeeding in the Premier League, the Palace board may feel that now is the time to bring in fresh blood, with the removal of Hodgson and several of his players perhaps key to that transition.
In this world of managers losing their jobs for even the smallest mishaps, a managerial change at Selhurst Park certainly isn’t inconceivable, but to sack Hodgson would seem very harsh, unless a readily-made replacement has already been lined up.
Prediction: Safe
Jose Mourinho
Odds to be sacked: 12/1
Another perhaps shock name on the list, but many Tottenham Hotspur fans remain sceptical of the Special One and his abilities in the dugout. The Portuguese boss has stolen the headlines wherever he has been, be it Real Madrid, Inter, Porto, Chelsea, or Manchester United, and he is now once again the star of the show in north London.
The likes of Gareth Bale and Dele Alli had been left frustrated under Mourinho, but his idiosyncratic tactics have now resulted in both attackers returning to form, with Bale particularly hitting the heights everyone knows he is capable of.
Jose has come under fire for his negative style of play with his current team, but he put such criticism to be when his side become only the second club in Europe’s top five leagues to score 100 goals in all competitions in their recent victory over Crystal Palace.
Prediction: Safe
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