The Premier League has already seen five managers lose their jobs this season and we’re still in November. Most recently, Aston Villa decided to part ways with the very manager that won them promotion back to the Premier League in Dean Smith. Other managers are under pressure and could lose their jobs in the coming weeks.
Bet Central takes a look at the outright odds for the next manager to get the sack in the Premier League:
Ole Gunner Solskjaer (1.50)
It’s not a big surprise to see the Man Utd boss as the favourite to get sacked. The Norwegian is under a lot of pressure, especially when you consider the calibre of signings Man Utd made in the summer transfer window.
Performances have been appalling and there has been a lack of identity at Old Trafford. The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has had to save United on several occasions in the Champions League is another cause for concern. Perhaps what might keep Solskjaer in the job longer is the fact that Antonio Conte recently joined Tottenham which leaves Zinedine Zidane as one of the few world-class managers without a job.
A title challenge was expected from Man Utd this season but they are currently sixth in the table, nine points off league leaders Chelsea. With a tough run of fixtures to come, Man Utd will have to improve significantly on their recent results and performances if Ole is to stay at the wheel.
Claudio Ranieri (7.50)
One of the main reasons why the bookmakers would have Ranieri as the second favourite to lose his job would have to be the fact that he is employed by Watford. Watford are a side who are renowned for sacking managers as they were the first club to pull the trigger this season. They have had 17 managers in the last 10 years.
The Hornets parted ways with Xisco Munos after ten months in charge after he also guided them to automatic promotion from the Championship last season. He was then replaced by Ranieri which was an appointment that raised a lot of eyebrows considering the fact that the Italian hasn’t done too well in his last three jobs after winning the league with Leicester City in 2016.
I do see Ranieri losing his job this season but I think there are a few other managers who could go before him.
Rafael Benitez (9.00)
Benitez was a controversial appointment by Everton considering his history with the Toffees’ biggest rivals, Liverpool. Despite that, I felt he was a suitable replacement for Carlo Ancelotti who departed for Real Madrid.
The Spaniard had a decent start as Everton manager and also made some shrewd signings in Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray. Everton are winless in their last five matches which is why there is a lot of pressure on Benitez. To be fair he’s been without Dominic Calver-Lewin, who has missed the majority of the season.
I don’t see Benitez losing his job anytime soon as I expect Everton’s results to improve but with his Liverpool connection, the fans could turn on him very quickly.
Marcelo Bielsa (15.00)
The Argentine is a hero at Elland Road as he guided them back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence. They finished in the top 10 in the league last season with their eye-catching, fast and furious style of play.
However, lack of signings in the summer has seen the Whites struggle to replicate the performances of last season. Bielsa is also in his fourth season at the club which could be a sign that the players are in need of a fresh face with new ideas. El Loco being in his fourth season with one club is unusual for him but I still don’t see Leeds firing him mid-season. He will probably leave his post at the end of the season.
Ralph Hasenhuttl (15.00)
A lot of people tipped Southampton to go down this season which is understandable considering how poorly they ended the previous campaign. The Saints also lost key players in Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard to Aston Villa and Leicester City respectively. Ryan Bertrand also joined Leicester after leaving Southampton on a free transfer.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has been fantastic for Southampton and I doubt that the powers that be at Saint Mary’s are looking to replace him anytime soon. They’ve also made some decent acquisitions in Tino Livramento, Adam Armstrong and Chelsea loanee, Armando Broja. Hasenhuttl’s side are currently 13th in the standings and have won three of their last four matches. I wouldn’t put my money on the Austrian losing his job anytime soon.