Who will be the second Premier League manager to be sacked this season…
Neil Warnock became the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season, following Crystal Palace’s Boxing Day defeat by Southampton. The 66-year-old had only joined the Eagles for a second time in August 2014, following the departure of Tony Pulis.
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Attention now turns to other managers that are under pressure. Pre-season favourite Sam Allardyce is now one of the most secure Premier League bosses after West Ham’s excellent start to the season, while the rumours surrounding Arsene Wenger look wide of the mark.
Here are the top ten candidates in the sack race:
10) Sean Dyche (Burnley)
Burnley are firmly in the relegation fight, as they no doubt expected to be, and by keeping them within touching distance Dyche has done all that he can be expected to do on his budget.
9) Roberto Martinez (Everton)
Everton’s indifferent season has begun to take its toll on Roberto Martinez, whose position has been called into question in recent weeks. It would still be a huge surprise for him to go however.
8) Paul Lambert (Aston Villa)
Despite signing a new contract earlier this year, Villa’s form has been mixed to say the least, and his future is likely to rest on where his team finish this season, with an improvement on last season’s relegation scrap a must.
7) Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool)
The pressure has eased slightly on Rodgers in recent weeks, but you have to think a couple of negative results would have people calling for his head again after Liverpool’s difficult and disappointing start to the season.
6) Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers)
The Rangers boss has picked up some decent results in recent weeks, and also boasts the league’s in form striker with Charlie Austin, whose goals have shot them up the table. But still needs to sort out the away form.
5) Gus Poyet (Sunderland)
This season’s draw specialists have been dangerously short on quality in the final third, and that has cost them this term. You have to think Poyet, having masterminded a win over Newcastle this month, will be given a bit more time.
4) Steve Bruce (Hull City)
Hull have struggled badly this season, and have been in the relegation zone for much of December. Nonetheless, their Boxing Day win over Sunderland should keep him in the job for a little while longer.
3) Nigel Pearson (Leicester City)
Leicester’s form has been desperate in recent months, and they are in danger of getting cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table. The players and fans still seem to be behind Pearson for now, but for how much longer?
2) Alan Pardew (Newcastle United)
His sacking looked an inevitability at one point in time, but a purple patch eased the pressure on him and pushed Newcastle up the table. But their form has dipped again recently, and Pardew’s position is still far from safe.
1) Alan Irvine (West Bromwich Albion)
A win against Aston Villa aside, Albion’s form has been very poor of late. The owners have proved trigger happy in the past, and Irvine openly admitted that he was under pressure after their Boxing Day defeat.
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