First Premier League manager to leave odds guide

There is no such thing as a honeymoon period in the Premier League for managers these days as they are increasingly expected to produce the goods from day one.

Kenny Dalglish, who lasted just two games of the 1998/99 season when managing Newcastle, still holds the dubious honour of fastest sacking into a new campaign alongside Southampton’s Paul Sturrock. Since then, numerous high-profile names have made an early exit, most notably Brendan Rogers after eight games in charge of Liverpool in 2015.

But who will be first to leave their job this season? Here we take a look at the likely candidates.

Mikel Arteta – Arsenal

Pressure has been building on the Arsenal manager since last season where the Gunners could only manage an eighth-placed finish in the league, their lowest since the 1994/95 season.

Arsenal were top spenders in the summer transfer window, as they added talent in Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale all for fees of over £25 million, so the club cannot be accused of not backing Arteta.

However, they have started the season poorly and currently sit 16th in the league, after one win from four games.

Arsenal fans are beginning to make their discontent known and Arteta will have to swiftly turn things around in the coming weeks if he is to avoid becoming the first Premier League manager to go. Odds of 5/6 about that show how perilous his situation is.

Xisco Munoz – Watford

Watford have a high turnover of managers, with four being shown the door along with two care-taker managers since January 2018.

It looks like a tough gig for Xisco Munoz, who only has half a season of previous managerial experience to call upon.

Watford fans’ hopes were buoyed by a surprise 3-2 opening day win over Aston Villa, but they have fallen to three defeats since and have failed to score a single goal.

Upcoming games against Norwich, Newcastle and Leeds will be key to Xisco’s chances of remaining in the Vicarage Road hot-seat and his future looks far from secure with odds of 7/2 on him being first to go.

Steve Bruce – Newcastle United

Ex-Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been unpopular from the word go at St James’ Park, but somehow he has managed to cling on to his job so far.

A 12th-placed finish last season was probably better than expected, but fans are already beginning to turn this term after his side have taken only one point from four games, which sees them lie second bottom.

Newcastle have recruited minimally in the latest transfer window and Bruce could face an even tougher task keeping the Magpies above the relegation zone this season.

Owner Mike Ashley seems content for now, but history has shown things can turn quickly on Tyneside and Bruce is only 15/2 to be shown the door first.

Patrick Vieira – Crystal Palace

Previous manager Roy Hodgson brought stability to Crystal Palace in his four-year tenure, and he was always going to be hard to replace.

The appointment of Arsenal legend Patrick Viera raised some eyebrows amongst the Selhurst Park faithful, but there are signs the Frenchman may be beginning to find his feet after a slow start to the season.

A 3-0 opening day loss to Chelsea did Vieira no favours, nor did an early League Cup exit at the hands of Watford, but draws with Brentford and West Ham steadied the ship.

Last weekend’s defeat of Spurs will have gone down well, and the recruitment of two-goal debutant Odsonne Edouard from Celtic could be a move that saves Vieira in the short-term at least. He is 10/1 to leave first.

Ralph Hasenhuttl – Southampton

Southampton began last season under Ralph Hasenhuttl in flying form, sitting third in the table after 13 games.

However, their form took a nosedive after Christmas, and they were on the receiving end of a 9-0 thumping by Manchester United as they eventually finished 15th in the table.

This season, after an opening day defeat to Everton, they have looked solid in draws with Man United, Newcastle and West Ham.

Despite Danny Ings’ departure, Southampton still look to have a squad capable of a mid-table finish and odds of 14/1 suggest Hasenhuttl is safe for now.

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