With the Premier League slowly taking shape, it’s the time of year when managers fear for their lives, but who is tipped to be the next one sacked?
‘Tis the season for some sackings. So often, the cheer and goodwill of the festive period is something not shared by managers in the Premier League, with the non-stop nature of this time of year leaving many out of a job by the end of it.
So far only Paul Heckingbottom has lost his post, from the seemingly impossible job at Sheffield United, with Blades hero Chris Wilder taking the reins. Five managers had been sacked at this time last year, 13 the final total, so with pressure mounting upon many, who will be the next man to lose their job?
Steve Cooper (4/6)*
The bookies’ favourite, Steve Cooper has been here before. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been surprisingly patient with the Welsh manager, showing loyalty to the man who brought the Reds back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years. Twice last season he was forced to show public backing for Cooper, who eventually turned the tables and kept his side up.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, without the support of the Forest fans, the manager would likely be out of a job by now. Despite being 5-0 down at Fulham, the travelling Reds chanted Cooper’s name until the end, showing the players who they back. Their reaction against Wolves was one for the gaffer, but as the festive period gets going, Forest must turn around their rotten form of one win in twelve, or Cooper could be getting a big pay-off as his Christmas gift
Erik ten Hag (5/4)*
Old Trafford thought they had found their man. A third-place finish, a Carabao Cup and some promising summer signings. Fast-forward to December and ten Hag has a target on his back like he never has before. He’s had plenty to deal with, public spats with players and chaos behind the scenes, but as Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League bottom of their group, his job remains well and truly on the line.
Despite winning November’s Manager of the Month and sitting 6th in the Premier League table, performances have been the main reason for concern. Close and arguably undeserved home wins against Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, coupled with the recent humbling by Bournemouth has meant the Dutch manager is seemingly fighting for his job. The Red Devils win more games than they lose, but that isn’t enough at Manchester United.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoy Hodgson (8/1)*
At the ripe old age of 76, the return of Roy last season shocked the Premier League and the fact he stayed on after keeping Crystal Palace up was perhaps more eye-catching. The Eagles have been blighted by injuries to key players like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, whilst also losing star player Wilfred Zaha in the summer.
But those excuses rarely hold up in football, with Palace’s wretched run of two wins in ten leaving Hodgson under fire. It doesn’t get easier for the former England boss, with Man City, Brighton, Brentford and Arsenal all coming up for the Eagles, said to be circling Cooper should he lose his job at Forest. It seems if one goes, the other may go just as quickly.
Embed from Getty ImagesMauricio Pochettino (14/1)*
Letting Thomas Tuchel go looks like one of the worst decisions in recent Chelsea history. Since then, the Blues have gone on a well-documented spending spree, going through three managers and falling further down the league. Pochettino is without his club captain Reece James, alongside Ben Chilwell and summer signing Christopher Nkunku among others, but his squad is better than 12th place.
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While Poch may not be a game away from losing his job, a home fixture against Sheffield United provides a huge opportunity for his side to turn the corner for good, with so many starts not being converted into runs of form this season. With Wolves, Palace and Luton to follow, the next four games could be make or break for the Argentine.
Chelsea have won 39 points from 39 Premier League games in 2023 so far – no ever-present PL side have won fewer in this period (excluding deductions).
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 10, 2023
39 – Chelsea, Crystal Palace & Nottm Forest
40 –
41 –
42 – Bournemouth
43 –
44 – Everton
45 –
46 –
47 – Wolves
48 – Fulham pic.twitter.com/CQxEFC3m76
David Moyes (20/1)*
While the supporters are keeping Cooper in his post at Forest, the same can’t be said for David Moyes at West Ham. Many have wanted him gone over the past few years, and his Conference League win may have provided the perfect time to say goodbye. Instead, he stayed, and the Hammers,s were top of the table for a stage early on, but a patchy run of form has seen momentum halted.
Many fans feel Moyes’ rather negative football limits the likes of Lucas Paquetá and Mohammed Kudus, and a team that played on the front foot would whet the appetite more at the London Stadium. His excuses seem to rattle fans too, with the Scottish coach often praising performances that aren’t commendable. But with the Hammers sitting in 9th and with three wins from five, the old cliché comes back around, be careful what you wish for.
*Odds via Sky Bet on 13/12/2023