Five early managerial talking points ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season

It may still seem like the sun has only just set on the 2021/22 Premier League season but, make no mistake about it, the opening weekend of the upcoming campaign will be upon us in no time at all.

Below we've taken a look at five early managerial talking points ahead of the 2022/23 edition; focusing on the title race, Erik ten Hag, the Sack Race, the promoted trio, potential dark horses, plus a collection of intriguing bets.

1. Who will win the title?

If you're not named Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp then your chances are likely to be slim. Guardiola has got his greedy mitts on the trophy in four of the last five seasons, briefly relinquishing the accolade to frenemy Klopp in 2020.

The duo are arguably the best bosses on the planet, with another tight and tense two-club title race predicted once again by bookmakers who have installed Guardiola’s Man City as the odds-on favourites to make it three titles on the spin - and five in the last six seasons - while Klopp’s Liverpool are hovering around the 9/4 mark. 

It’s difficult to argue with that given that each super gaffer has showcased their intent early on in the transfer market through the blockbuster additions of Erling Haaland (Man City) and Darwin Nunez (Liverpool).

Can anyone else muster up a challenge?

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea are next in line in the betting at a distance 14/1, compared to 9/2 before the 2021/22 campaign. The Blues finished nearly 20 points off the pace last year and are currently undergoing a summer of change with a new owner at the helm who will have their own vision and demands. Whether they’ll be as trigger-happy as the former incumbent, we’ll have to wait and see. The futures of multiple players are yet to be decided, including Romelu Lukaku, while Raheem Sterling has been linked.

The last manager to succeed in the Premier League title race that wasn’t Guardiola or Klopp, was Antonio Conte who is enjoying a promising transfer window as he begins to properly stamp his mark on Tottenham. Orchestrating a title charge may just be out of reach but with the likes of Conte, Kane, Son, plus a cluster of intriguing new faces, could they spring a surprise at 16/1?

Erik ten Hag - more on him in a mo - and Man Utd are out at 28/1, followed by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at 66/1. Then outside of the ‘big 6’ you’ll find Eddie Howe’s Newcastle next in the running at around the 100/1 mark.

• Best Bet: Chelsea to win without Liverpool & Man City @ 7/4 with William Hill
• Outside Bet: Tottenham @ 16/1 with William Hill

2. What can we expect from Erik ten Hag?

After half-a-year of relentless rumours Man Utd have now locked in their manager: Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman has a huge challenge on his hands as he bids to restore pride, implement his brand of football, give the club an identity again, and win trophies.

There’s still a bucket load of uncertainty and hear-say when it comes to how Man Utd will line-up on the opening day of the season. No one is expecting a title charge, but the Red Devils will be expected to launch an assault on the top-four and challenge for a cup.

United are priced at 17/12 (SBK) to secure a top-four finish, 15/8 (Paddy Power) to win a major trophy, 9/1 (Paddys) to win the League Cup, and also 10/1 (bet365) to win the FA Cup.

For the less optimistic, Ten Hag is 33/1 (Betfair) to be the first manager out of the door and 4/1 (Paddy Power) to leave his post before the end of the season.

• Best Bet: Man Utd to win the Europa League @ 9/1 with Paddy Power

3. Who will be the first manager to leave?

This market is a lot harder to predict without Watford.

Ralph Hasenhuttl, ​​Jesse Marsch, and Frank Lampard are three of the early frontrunners in the betting. Out of this trio, the 6/1 priced Hasenhuttl needs a strong start following the wretched end to the previous season.

Elsewhere there are some intriguing prices to be had: There’s Bruno Lage at 14/1, Thomas Tuchel at 25/1, Eddie Howe at 33/1, and perhaps most interestingly Steven Gerrard out at 40/1.

Check out three managers who could well be worth keeping an eye on in the article below…

• Best Bet: Bruno Lage @ 14/1 with Paddy Power

4. How will the three promoted managers fare?

Last season there were mixed fortunes for the three promoted managers: Xisco Munoz was sacked by Watford after seven games, Daniel Farke lost his job at Norwich the following month, while Brentford’s Thomas Frank was a breath of fresh air en route to a Manager of the Season nomination.

The latest three managers to be elevated into the Premier League dugout are Marco Silva (Fulham), Scott Parker (Bournemouth) and Steve Cooper (Nottingham Forest). The first two have of course managed in the top-flight before, and both been relegated, while Cooper steps into the big leagues for the first time following a sensational season with Forest.

Bookmakers don’t fancy any of their chances. They are currently the three favourites in the ante-post relegation market and you can find odds of 5/1 for the trio to head straight back down to the Championship. As for which side will finish the highest, champions Fulham are the evens frontrunners with William Hill, Forest next in line at 7/4, with Bournemouth available at 3/1.

• Best Bet: Bournemouth to finish bottom @ 5/2 with BetVictor

Who will be this season’s dark horse?

Crystal Palace won plenty of plaudits last season under Patrick Vieira, who changed the club’s style, made them easier on the eye, took four points off Man City, and finished a whisker outside of the top-10. I expect them to continue on their upwards curve and like the look of BetVictor’s 5/2 for a top-half finish.

When it comes to the outright market without the big six teams, we like the look of Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester to triumph at 11/2 with William Hill. The Foxes endured a mixed 21/22 season but finished strongly to claim 8th. They look a decent price providing they can stamp out the defensive slip ups and improve their away form. After all, they did finish 5th in both 19/20 and 20/21, agonisingly missing out on the top-four on both occasions.

• Best Bet: Leicester in the outright market w/o big-6 @ 11/2 with William Hill