The leading contenders in the Premier League managerial sacking race

Although Christmas is thought to be a joyful occasion for many, it can be an incredibly stressful time for Premier League managers across the country, especially for those struggling at the start of the new season.

With some clubs potential looking at a January shakeup, who are the three Premier League managers leading the relegation race with the bookies?

Mark Hughes is the current favourite in the sackrace betitng odds

Is Jose Mourinho going to be the next man to leave his job?

Is Roy Hodgson’s job under threat at Crystal Palace?

 

Premier League Sack Race November 2018

We take a look at the odds and predictions for the Premier League sack race as the bust Christmas period approaches.

 

1. Mark Hughes – Southampton – 4/5

While Mark Hughes’ late arrival on the south coast may have helped Southampton secure their Premier League status, the Saints have once again started the season in worrying fashion.

Picking up just one win in 12 attempts, the pressure on the former Stoke bosses position has reached an all-time high and many believe that his position at St. Mary’s is becoming untenable.

Still yet to record a single win on home soil, only their goal difference keeps them out of the relegation zone.

Mark Hughes has the lowest win percentage (21.7) of any Southampton manager in their history who has had at least 20 games in charge.

— Richard Jolly 🇺🇦 (@RichJolly) November 4, 2018

Much like last season, it has been their form in the final third that has been most frustrating for Southampton.

Scoring just eight times, they have also now managed to record just one Premier League goal from open play in just over 650 minutes of action.

With Saturday’s clash against Fulham billed as the most important in Hughes’ tenure, it has been reported that yet another defeat at Craven Cottage could force the Southampton board to pull the trigger.

 

2. Jose Mourinho – Manchester United – 8/1

A club that has had the air of a soap opera over the past few months, it is no surprise that Jose Mourinho finds himself as one of the leading contenders in the race to avoid the chop.

Although Manchester United’s fight back in Turin may have signalled a potential re-surge under Mourinho, the Red Devils came crashing back down to earth at the Etihad prior to the international break.

Shipping three and putting in yet another heavily criticised performance against Manchester City, Mourinho’s side now sit way down in eighth.

Manchester United have equalled their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign after seven matches.

10 points – 2013/14
10 points – 2018/19

Not a happy camp. pic.twitter.com/7IQ41BZT9f

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 29, 2018

Without a clean sheet since the 15th of September, United remarkably now hold the fourth worst defensive record in the Premier League.

Despite securing Champions League football for Old Trafford last season, some were surprised by United’s decision to commit his future to the club until 2020 with the option of another year.

While the more vocal part of the Stretford End might still be backing Mourinho, United are yet to record a Premier League title in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and look some way off the pace under the 55-year-old.

 

3. Roy Hodgson – Crystal Palace – 8/1

While nothing could top Frank de Boer’s horrendous start last season, his replacement, Roy Hodgson, has started to fall upon some hard time at Selhurst Park.

Guiding Crystal Palace away from the relegation zone and securing an 11th place finish in the Premier League last season, the former England boss earned himself a one-year extension back in August.

However, after crashing out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Championship outfit Middlesbrough and failing to win any of their last six top-flight outings, the Palace hierarchy could once again be looking for a shakeup in the dugout.

Much like Southampton, fans at Selhurst Park are still waiting for their side to pick up a win on home soil.

Although his position is certainly under some growing scrutiny, Hodgson has insisted he is the man to guide Palace out their rut.

“I think at the moment they realise – in the same way that the players and the coaching staff do – that the performances are good and we are doing what we want to do, but we have to be patient and keep doing the right things.

“In my opinion, in every walk of life, if you continue doing the right thing, you will even out the slings and arrows.”

While Hodgson might be asking for time, patience is not something that Palace have shown much of in the past.

The Eagles have now had eight different managers in the past five years.

 

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