Premier League Sack Race
Premier League Sack Race

Premier League sack race: Jokanovic gone, maybe Mourinho, perhaps Pochettino?


After Fulham got rid of Slavisa Jokanovic in the international break after just 12 games in charge, we weigh up those other managers with job security issues.

Cottagers boss Slavisa Jokanovic became the first Premier League manager to lose his job after Fulham's woeful start to the season. They occupy bottom spot and have not registered a win in nine matches. Claudio Ranieri has been drafted in immediately to try and change the fortunes at Craven Cottage.

Southampton and Crystal Palace have taken up the two positions outside of the relegation zone, which have shortened the odds of their respective managers receiving the boot, too.

Manchester United have seen their results pick up, both in the Premier League and the Champions League, and in turn Jose Mourinho’s odds to be sacked have lengthened quite drastically. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, heavily linked with the vacant Real Madrid post, has been cut from 66/1 to 20/1 by way of contrast, despite Santiago Solari getting the job at Real, with his contract set to run until 2021.

Sporting Life's Billy Lumsden looks at these five managers who could be next on the chopping block..


Mark Hughes (Southampton) - 6/4

A costly goal was ruled out for Mark Hughes' Southampton
Mark Hughes' Southampton are in desperate need of points.

Saints find themselves in a similar state of affairs to Fulham, as Mark Hughes’ side have not registered a victory in eight matches. Southampton have only lost two of their last five, to Chelsea and Manchester City, but have drawn the other three in that period.

Danny Ings has scored half of Southampton’s goals this season with four, which shows how much they are lacking in the final third. The ex-Manchester City and Stoke manager must address this issue before it is too late and he is out of the door.


Jose Mourinho (Manchester United) - 3/1

Jose Mourinho sends a message to the Juventus fans after Manchester United victory
Jose Mourinho looks to have silenced his critics for now.

Defeat to their bitter rivals in the Manchester derby ended a four-match unbeaten run for the Red Devils, which had seen them win three and draw the other away to Chelsea.

They also chalked up their most impressive Champions League result under Mourinho as they came from a goal down in Turin to dispatch Juventus after they scored two in four minutes.

Despite that derby defeat, then, the odds of Mourinho making a surprise departure have lengthened by some distance.


Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham) - 20/1

Mauricio Pochettino: Should he stay or should he go?
Mauricio Pochettino: Should he stay or should he go?

This is the most eyebrow-raising manager in the top five, it would seem, as Pochettino’s odds have been slashed since the Real Madrid job became vacant. While the others are under the gun due to performance issues, Pochettino's exit possibilities are more to do with his success - when other jobs become available across Europe, his name is in the mix.

As well as the lure of Madrid, there has been unrest both in terms of finances and Spurs' protracted stadium move, all while the Wembley pitch comes under fire. Could we see a surprise exit for the fans' favourite?

Santiago Solari has been named as the Real Madrid boss until 2021, but whether he will be the man in charge at the start of next season remains to be seen, with Pochettino's odds staying the same in the process.


Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace) - 5/1

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson
Hodgson may be feeling the pressure

Palace are without a win in seven Premier League matches and have slipped to 16th in the process, albeit their last four matches have been against Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton. It does not get much easier either for the Eagles as they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United after the international break.

The two games after could well be crucial for turning a corner regarding their Premier League campaign, as they host Sean Dyche’s Burnley before taking on Brighton at the AMEX. Time will tell for Roy Hodgson as results must start improving if he is to maintain his job.


Neil Warnock (Cardiff) - 10/1

Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock

The Bluebirds have registered two wins in their last four matches, earning three quarters of their overall tally for the campaign in the last third of Premier League matches they have played, which is why the price on Warnock to get the sack has lengthened.

However, his outfit only face fellow strugglers Southampton in what is a tough next six fixtures, which Cardiff must attain points from if they are not to be chasing their tail after the Christmas period.


Verdict

Jokanovic's odds were short for a reason, with Mark Hughes the new favourite to be the next manager to leave, which cannot be far away from happening if the Saints do not start producing more goals, and more importantly, the results to lift themselves up the table.

At the prices, don't rule out Pochettino being the next Premier League manager to leave at 20/1, with Real Madrid looming as an ever-enticing possibility, combined with the concerns over the new stadium and current Wembley conditions. It may be worth considering an exit for the man in the hot-seat at Spurs, even if it isn't to Spanish giants Real.


UPDATED: Next Premier League manager to leave market (via Sky Bet)

  1. Mark Hughes (Southampton) – 6/4 (WAS 6/1)
  2. Jose Mourinho (Manchester United) – 3/1 (WAS 4/6)
  3. Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace) – 5/1 (WAS 28/1)
  4. Neil Warnock (Cardiff) – 10/1 (WAS 6/1)
  5. Claude Puel (Leicester) – 16/1 (WAS 20/1)
  6. Manuel Pellegrini (West Ham) – 16/1 (WAS 20/1)
  7. Claudio Ranieri (Fulham) - 20/1
  8. David Wagner (Huddersfield) – 20/1 (WAS 22/1)
  9. Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham) – 20/1 (WAS 66/1)
  10. Rafa Benitez (Newcastle) – 20/1 (WAS 10/1)
  11. Sean Dyche (Burnley) – 33/1 (WAS 20/1)
  12. Chris Hughton (Brighton) – 40/1 (WAS 33/1)
  13. Marco Silva (Everton) – 40/1 (WAS 40/1)
  14. Javi Gracia (Watford) – 50/1 (WAS 40/1)
  15. Nuno Espírito Santo (Wolves) – 50/1 (WAS 66/1)
  16. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) – 66/1 (WAS 66/1)
  17. Maurizio Sarri (Chelsea) – 100/1 (WAS 100/1)
  18. Unai Emery (Arsenal) – 100/1 (WAS 100/1)
  19. Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) – 150/1 (WAS 150/1)
  20. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) – 250/1 (WAS 250/1)

No manager to leave before May 12th, 2019 – 150/1


Odds correct as of 1200 BST on 13/11/18

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