Premier League sack race: Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Neil Warnock (clockwise, from the left) are all contenders
Premier League sack race: Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Neil Warnock (clockwise, from the left) are all contenders

Premier League sack race: Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and more ranked by job security odds


The international break has halted the Premier League campaign for now, after eight rounds of action so far in the 2018/19 campaign.

Manchester United and Jose Mourinho have come under some scrutiny both in the Premier League and the Champions League, while Newcastle and Cardiff have endured winless starts to the season.

Southampton and Fulham currently occupy places in the bottom five of the Premier League table, despite Slavisa Jokanovic making a vast array of summer signings.

Sporting Life's Billy Lumsden dissects some of the managers' starts to the season, using Sky Bet odds to assess the top five managers likely to be relieved of their duties.


Jose Mourinho (Manchester Uniited) - 4/6 to be next Premier League manager to leave

The 'Special One' failed in his quest to sign a defender during the summer transfer window, despite being linked with Harry Maguire, Jerome Boateng, Diego Godin and more at one given time, leaving the Portuguese disgruntled with the board.

The Red Devils defence has since been suspect, particularly in their defeats to Brighton and West Ham. Scott McTominay played in defence for parts of the game against the Hammers, while Ander Herrera was found out as he played right centre-back in their 3-0 loss to Tottenham.

On top of this, rumours have continually surfaced, including a video from the training ground last month, of Jose and Paul Pogba having what seems to be a disagreement in the same week the World Cup winner was stripped of his vice-captaincy role. The dramatic comeback at home to Newcastle may have bought Mourinho time, but Ed Woodward may not wait much longer until sacking Mourinho if their woes continue.

Jose Mourinho: No need to panic
Mourinho's time may be limited

Mark Hughes (Southampton) - 6/1

Hughes and the Saints have only mustered a solitary win from their opening eight fixtures, and sit 16th in the Premier League table. The man in the St Mary's hot seat did capture the signing of Danny Ings, who has netted half of Southampton's six goals this season. One of the problems appears to be deriving from a lack of creativity in the final third as well as end product, which Hughes must work on if results are to pick up and his odds in this market are to lengthen.

Danny Ings celebrates after scoring for Southampton
Danny Ings has netted three times for Hughes' side so far

Neil Warnock (Cardiff) - 6/1

The king of Championship promotions surprised many by guiding the Bluebirds to the top-flight last year, but Warnock has once again found it hard to adapt after undergoing a winless start to the season.

His side have only managed to record four goals, conceding 17 and averaging just over two per game. The defence and attack needs to be strengthened otherwise he may face the boot - football clubs have short memories.

Neil Warnock and Sean Dyche
Alarm bells may be ringing for Warnock

Rafa Benitez (Newcastle) - 10/1

Similar to Mourinho, it has been rumoured that there has been unrest and conflict involved with the relationship between Mike Ashley and the Newcastle coach. That does seem to have been resolved, although the results have not seemed to follow that trend as the Magpies have failed to register a win from their first eight, which has subsequently left them in 19th. Benitez could be worth a bet at this point with the chance of results remaining the same.

Rafa Benitez arrives at St James' Park ahead of Newcastle v Chelsea
Tensions between Benitez and Ashley seem to have been dealt with

Slavisa Jokanovic (Fulham) - 16/1

Jokanovic has brought in numerous big-name and potentially top-quality signings - Andre Schurrle, Luciano Vietto and Jean Michael Seri among others - yet the results have not been up to scratch and have left the Cottagers needing points after surrendering a couple of leads. With eight games gone, they have the potential to be chasing their tail come the end of the season, even with Aleksandar Mitrovic finding the net like he is currently.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scores for Fulham against Watford
Mitrovic has notched five goals in eight Premier League games

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

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

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


Odds correct as of 1500 BST on 12/10/18

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