The Sack Race: which Premier League manager will go first?

The Premier League has certainly thrown up a few surprises this season, with the likes of Aston Villa and Southampton over-performing, and plenty of sides under-performing. October and November is usually a period where we see the first sackings of the season, but with a delayed start to the season you now get the impression that the first is just around the corner. All the biggest bookmakers have now got their favourites on who will be the next Premier League manager to be sacked, and you can get some pretty good odds on them too, particularly with the landscape ever-changing. It’s certainly the ideal time to place your bets, and the predictions and tips for the next few weeks are leaving this market very open indeed, as there are ample opportunities for managers to play themselves back into a job, or indeed face the chop.

So, who are the managers that could be first this season?

Chris Wilder

After weeks of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Slaven Bilic being favourites to go, Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder is certainly in trouble and is being priced at 2/1 to be the first casualty of the season. Sheffield United have picked up just one point this season and have scored just four times in nine games. Goals are certainly their problem, while they are also not as strong defensively as they were last season. They suffered defeat once again last weekend against West Ham, but what Wilder does have on his side is loyalty from both fans and board given his achievements at the club. That will change sharply though if they don’t pick up results over the coming weeks and their game against West Brom this Saturday is going to be crucial. Lose and he could well be leaving Bramall Lane.

Slaven Bilic

Sheffield United are favourites to win that game though with the bookmakers, and that could mean Slaven Bilic is out of a job. He’s priced at 5/2 to leave his role and become the first top-flight manager of the season to face the chop and we’d certainly back this outcome. Many pundits are expecting Bilic to be sacked over the coming weeks and defeat on Saturday will likely be the final nail in the coffin.

Scott Parker

You get the impression that the Fulham board are going to stick with Scott Parker for as long as they can, but if results continue to be poor then they will have to make a move if they want to ensure Premier League survival. The Cottagers are favourites for the drop and Parker is now 4/1 to be the first manager to be sacked. He won’t be expected to get a result from the next three fixtures, which are Leicester, Manchester City and Liverpool, which could buy him time if he does secure a win. Get through that with zero points though and Brighton on 16th December could be crucial.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

It seems to be the case that pressure mounts on Manchester United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then he gets a few wins to release the pressure and the process starts once again. Victory over Everton and West Brom, despite a poor performance, has helped his cause, especially as the Red Devils now sit five points off the top four with a game in hand. He’s priced at 6/1 to be the first to go, but it’s likely he’s saved himself for at least a few more weeks given those results. They face Southampton and West Ham in the next few games, which could really kickstart their season, while the Manchester Derby could be the big game for Solskjaer which takes place on 12th December. Win that and he may even get a January transfer window to play with!