Preview: First Manager To Be Sacked

William Hill are already taking bets on the first managerial casualty of the premiership season. Below I’ll take a look at some of the possible contenders.

Manchester City’s Mark Hughes is the market leader at 9/2. Hughes is already feeling the pressure after a disappointing first season in charge. The owners are expecting big things with all the new signings he has brought in. Even if City have a good season I don’t think Hughes will stay at the club for very long. With the owners ambition of becoming a big club and a global brand they can afford to bring in a manager with more experience and the right look.

Paul Hart took over as caretaker manager of Portsmouth following the sacking of Tony Adams in February of this year. Hart was appointed permanent manager on a two year contract on July 21st. Portsmouth have lost two of their best players in Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson in the transfer window and with no obvious replacements may find it a struggle this season. Hart is 11/2 to be out of a job first.

Newly promoted Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is 5/1. McLeish is already under pressure from the owners following a poor pre-season tour of Austria. The blues lost all three games and shipped seven goals in the process signing off with a 3-0 drubbing to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal.

Hull City surprised everyone last season with a terrific start to life in the premiership. In December following a poor first half performance against Manchester City Phil Brown became involved in a public dressing down of his team on the pitch. From then on it appeared as through Brown may have lost the dressing room and a bad run of form ensured. Hull were lucky to stay in the top tier finishing in 17th place just a point above relegated Newcastle. Brown is 7/1 to face the chop.

Burnley City’s Owen Coyle is 16/1 to be given his marching orders. Coyle did well to bring Burnley to the Premiership for the first time with some excellent performances which included league cup wins over Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal. Burnley are not expected to produce any miracles this season and it’s for that reason Coyle could lose every game and still keep his job.

West Ham’s Gianfranco Zola enjoyed a good first season in charge of the Hammers developing a side with flair not seen in a West Ham team for some time. In April this year Zola signed a contract extension to keep him at Upton Park until 2013. Zola is 16/1 to be shown the door.

Another 16/1 shot is Wigan’s Roberto Martinez. Martinez took over as the new manager in June this year. Martinez signed a three year contract and was assured by Wigan owner Dave Whelan that his job would be safe for the next three years even if the club suffers relegation.

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