Ranked: The odds for every Premier League manager in The Sack Race
Anticipation is building ahead of the new Premier League season which gets underway today!
Below, we run through each of the 20 managers in the Premier League Sack Race, ranked from shortest odds to longest.
(Odds courtesy of Bet Victor)
Xisco Munoz (Watford): 6/1
A surprising appointment before Christmas on the back of just 11 games at Dinamo Tbilisi, Xisco Munoz connected a strong squad and delivered automatic promotion. But Watford sacked three managers in their last Premier League outing while only one Hornets boss has lasted a full season since 2017. Munoz’s inexperience could count against him, especially if his troops endure a poor start.
Patrick Vieira (Crystal Palace): 6/1
There was a mixed reaction to the appointment with many rather harshly writing off Patrick Vieira as another Frank de Boer, who the Eagles infamously sacked after four Premier League games. But don’t rule out the Frenchman before a ball is kicked. We are still not quite sure what to make of him as a manager, however he has accrued five years of experience, has worked under some top bosses, and you’d like to think he’ll be given time to mould together a young new-look squad for the future.
Ralph Hasenhuttl (Southampton): 8/1
Could prove to be the early value bet at 8/1. Ralph Hasenhuttl is the second longest-serving Saints boss since Ian Branfoot (1991-1994), but the excitement and optimism gained from reaching the Premier League summit in November has completely vanished. The second-half of the season was an absolute disaster, while two stand-out performers - Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard - have jumped ship to the Midlands. They’ll struggle to replace Ings' goals especially, and they desperately need to improve defensively too. Furthermore, they face Chelsea and the Manchester clubs early doors.
Steve Bruce (Newcastle): 8/1
His future will always be questioned to some extent, regardless of what he does. However, Steve Bruce can be quietly satisfied with a 12th-placed finish last season, although this was thanks to a spirited finale in which they accrued 17 points from nine games. Callum Wilson was an excellent signing last term, but fans will want to see positive, attacking football on a more consistent basis from Bruce’s troops. Simply put, he’s not going anywhere, unless a takeover occurs anytime soon.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal): 10/1
His odds have already been marginally cut from 12/1 to 10/1. Project Mikel Arteta has had its highs and lows: he won two trophies in quick succession then appeared to come close to the sack last Christmas, before mounting a comeback in the New Year. The Spaniard has a talented crop of youngsters at his disposal but the Arsenal fans will demand a big improvement this season.
Daniel Farke (Norwich): 10/1
Norwich took a leaf out of Burnley’s book and kept faith with their manager, Daniel Farke, despite relegation. A cracking decision which resulted in some sumptuous football en-route to another Championship title success. The Canaries are the favourites for the drop but if the German can work his magic then survival is definitely possible. There’s more chance of Farke being lured away to another club, than Norwich wielding the axe.
Thomas Frank (Brentford): 14/1
Thomas Frank has enjoyed three seasons of constant progression which accumulated in an historic promotion to the Premier League. Crucially, the versatile Dane has managed to hold onto goal-machine Ivan Toney but the Bees are by no means a one man team. Only two of the last nine promoted teams have changed managers in the subsequent top-flight season and we fully expect Frank to remain at the helm throughout the course of Brentford’s maiden Premier League campaign.
Bruno Lage (Wolves): 14/1
Has big shoes to fill, despite Nuno Santo’s underwhelming final season. Wolves found his replacement early with Bruno Lage a title winner at Benfica, where he developed a host of young talent. Wolves have plenty of youngsters on the cards and it’s hoped the Portuguese coach can mould together an exciting side who play attacking football. He’ll need time to implement his ideas, but will he get it?
Rafa Benitez (Everton): 14/1
There’s no doubting his record, experience, or successes. Rafa Benitez is strong willed and won’t let the controversy surrounding his appointment affect him. He won the Europa League at Chelsea despite enduring a constant backlash He’s used to high-pressure situations but you still feel he needs a fast start at a club still reeling from the surprise departure of Carlo Ancelotti. With fans back in stadiums, expect the Goodison Park faithful to let their feelings be clear should Rafa’s methods backfire.
Sean Dyche (Burnley): 16/1
We’ll be absolutely shocked if Sean Dyche left in any capacity, let alone if he was the first manager out the door. He has reportedly signed a new deal although that’s not official yet. If Burnley are struggling at Christmas and he’s not given adequate funds in the New Year then maybe he’ll decide he’s had enough. Quitting doesn’t seem to be in Dyche’s DNA though.
David Moyes (West Ham): 16/1
May not reach the fabulous heights of last season (6th) - it was a farce how David Moyes didn’t win Manager of the Season award - but the Scot has now fully won over any remaining doubters. In style too. Jesse Lingard looks to be staying at Man Utd while many of the clubs around them have all got stronger. Moyes will make sure the Hammers aren’t complacent and will need to juggle European football too.
Graham Potter (Brighton): 16/1
Was hotly linked with other Premier League clubs in the summer, however to the relief of Brighton fans Graham Potter remains at the helm, for now. The Seagulls were vastly improved in the New Year and now the task will be to convert chances, with the target a top-12/possibly top-10 finish. His job won’t be on the line even if the Seagulls start slowly again. But should he elevate Brighton to new levels he will once again be linked with a move away.
Dean Smith (Aston Villa): 20/1
Under pressure in his first season, Dean Smith thrived last term although the wheels slightly came off towards the end following the injury to Jack Grealish. The skipper has since departed for a whopping £100m, but Smith has already recruited wisely in the attacking trio of Emiliano Buendía, Leon Bailey, and Danny Ings, while further signings are expected. It’s definitely an exciting time to be a Villa fan but can Smith handle the rising expectations?
Nuno Santo (Tottenham): 20/1
A surprise appointment in the end, Nuno Santo will be keen to win over any doubters. Did a terrific job at Wolves but he’s now at a club targeting trophies and a top-four finish. Losing star Harry Kane would be a monumental blow, and if that does occur it will be fascinating to see how the Portuguese coach reacts.
Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea): 33/1
An excellent manager who more than boosted his reputation after he led Chelsea to Champions League glory, an FA Cup final, and a top-four finish within four months of replacing Frank Lampard. Thomas Tuchel will now be tasked with mounting a title challenge and contesting for medals on all fronts. Should really be safe as houses, but this is Chelsea we are talking about so any faltering form could leave the German feeling a little anxious, especially given the club’s start against Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Man City in their opening handful of games.
Note: Roberto Di Matteo was the first casualty of the 2012/13 season, and he’d won the Champions League and FA Cup double a few months earlier.
Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds): 33/1
Marcelo Bielsa is the longest-serving Leeds manager since Simon Grayson (2008-2012), while this is the longest he’s been in a club job ever. Heads into the new campaign on the back of an excellent 9th place showing last term and it’s no surprise to see him handed long odds of 33/1 in the Sack Race.
Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City): 33/1
Another manager linked with a move to Tottenham but Brendan Rodgers never showed the faintest bit of interest in a switch. He’s built together an exciting and hungry side at Leicester who won the FA Cup for the first time ever. They’ve agonisingly missed out on a top-four finish on the final day of the last two seasons, meaning they’ll be determined to make the step up this term. Will be harder said than done though.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Man Utd): 33/1
Yet to win silverware but has overseen gradual improvement in the Premier League. Man Utd have refused to wield the axe during rough times and proclaimed their loyalty by offering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a brand spanking new deal until 2024. Pressure will undoubtedly return during any rocky patches, but United seem more than confident that they have the right man for the job. After bringing in high-quality recruits in Jadon Sancho and Raphaël Varane, now is the time for OGS to deliver.
Pep Guardiola (Man City): 40/1
Pep Guardiola is going nowhere and now has Jack Grealish in his ranks, with Harry Kane still a possibility. Man City have been handed a tricky start to their title defence with Tottenham, Arsenal, Leicester, and Chelsea in their first six matches. 40/1 for a reason.
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool): 40/1
Pressure appeared to get to Jurgen Klopp at times last season, while he was linked with both the Germany and Bayern Munich jobs. Yet it’s difficult to see Liverpool ever sacking their iconic manager; there’s more chance of him walking. Neither will happen this season.
