On Monday morning, Slaven Bilic was axed as West Ham United manager after a poor start to the season for The Hammers. The decision was made due to the East London side sitting in the relegation zone going into the latest international break. It has come as no surprise to bookmakers and punters, as Bilic was the clear favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post. With the Croatian now gone, who leads the betting now?
Sean Dyche – Burnley
Best Odds – 2/1
Before discussing the reasons behind Sean Dyche being the favourite in this market, it is important to remember that this is not the next manager to be sacked, but just to leave their post. Of course, this means that if the Burnley manager was to make another job then him leaving Burnley would count towards this.
The rumours have been rife that Everton have placed Sean Dyche as their number one target to become their new manager, having sacked Ronald Koeman a few weeks ago after a dreadful start to the campaign. Everton would likely be able to offer Dyche more money, both in terms of wages and a transfer budget, even though the Toffees are currently 8 points behind the Clarets in the Premier League.
It remains to be seen whether or not Dyche will be willing to leave Burnley, who he has been in charge of since 2012.
Tony Pulis – West Bromwich Albion
Best Odds – 5/1
It is well known that the style of football played by Tony Pulis is not the most entertaining. When you are getting results, this normally becomes less of an issue. However, West Brom have not been getting the results recently, which has piled the pressure on the Welshman.
Pulis himself has admitted that the club’s run of results is one of the worst he has been on as a manager. These words came after Albion lost again at the weekend, this time to 10-man Huddersfield Town, causing some West Brom fans to call for his sacking.
Only one point above the relegation zone, the Albion board could decide to panic.
Paul Clement – Swansea City
Best Odds – 6/1
The struggles that Swansea City have been having so far this season have gone a little bit under the radar, as he has not received anywhere near the amount of criticism as some of his peers. Of course, a lot of this is down to the great job he did in keeping the Swans in the Premier League last season.
However, the struggles are definitely there and Clement will not be helped by another home defeat at the Liberty Stadium at the weekend, with Brighton and Hove Albion running out 1-0 winners.
Swansea are second bottom with just 8 points from 11 games, though it would be a bit surprising if the club pushed the panic button at this time.
Antonio Conte – Chelsea
Best Odds – 10/1
The pressure was certainly on the Italian last week as a disastrous 3-0 away defeat to Roma in the Champions League looked like it could put him on the brink of the sack. Add the fact that he had a training ground bust up with big money defender David Luiz too, and Conte really needed a win against Manchester United.
Thankfully for him, The Blues ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a terrific header from Alvaro Morata. This win and the manner of the performance should ease a lot of the pressure on Conte, but Roman Abramovich is well known for getting rid of managers.
Mark Hughes – Stoke City
Best Odds – 12/1
It has been a strange season for Marks Hughes and his Stoke City side. The club are currently 14th in the Premier League with 12 points, but their results have been up and down to say the least.
The Potters beat Arsenal and drew with Manchester United, but then were hammered 0-4 by Chelsea, 7-2 by Man City and fell to a 1-2 defeat at home to Bournemouth.
The last two results, an away win at Watford and a home draw with Leicester should have eased a lot of the pressure. Some sections of the Stoke support have had enough, but he should last a while longer yet.
Rafa Benitez – Newcastle United
Best Odds – 20/1
The chances of Rafa Benitez being sacked by Newcastle United are very slim, even though their last few results have been extremely poor. Two 1-0 defeats to Burnley and Bournemouth have seen The Magpies fall into the bottom half of the table after a solid start to the campaign.
What may give Rafa’s 20/1 a bit of value is that a lack of investment in the playing squad could force him to look for another project elsewhere, with other Premier League sides looking ready to replace their managers.
Personally though, I think Benitez will be on Tyneside for the long haul and is unlikely to leave mid way through the season.
Mauricio Pellegrino – Southampton
Best Odds – 20/1
Southampton are well known for having a large turnover of players, but they are not frightened to replace their managers either. Mauricio Pellegrino only joined the club in the summer, replacing Claude Puel.
However, things have not gone completely to plan for the Saints and they have had a few disappointing results. Most recently, Burnley came away from St Mary’s with a 1-0 win.
After the international break, Southampton go to Anfield and a few more bad results could put the manager under a bit of pressure.
Outsiders
Watford’s Marco Silva (25/1) has started really well, causing other clubs to be linked with a move for the former Hull City manager. David Wagner (33/1) got Huddersfield Town promoted in his first season and has now started the new season superbly. Wolfsburg made a move for the former United States international last season and without doubt his stock has risen massively since then.
Eddie Howe is also 33/1. Again, it is very unlikely that Bournemouth would sack their long serving manager but other clubs could make a move. As his predecessor only lasted 4 Premier League games in charge, Roy Hodgson at 40/1 could offer value too.
Others
Arsene Wenger – 50/1
Chris Hughton – 50/1
Jurgen Klopp – 50/1
Jose Mourinho – 66/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 100/1
Pep Guardiola – 100/1
No Manager To Leave – 150/1
Matched Betting
Though there are some good value options from this market, remember that you could make money from matched betting. This is through taking advantage of bookmaker offers to make an expected profit.
The general strategy for matched betting is to place a back bet on a selection to win with the bookmaker and then place a lay bet on the same selection not to win on a betting exchange, such as Betfair Exchange. This will cover all outcomes and allow you to qualify for the free bet or bonus on offer.
You can then repeat the same back and lay strategy in order to make an expected profit from the free bet amount. Matched betting offers a number of potential money making opportunities, both short term and long term.