![Dick Advocaat: Saw his side thumped at Leicester]()
Dick Advocaat: Saw his side thumped at Leicester
Dick Advocaat is the new 'sack race' favourite, replacing Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who still looks a short price at 10/1, writes Matt Briggs.
We're only one game into the new season, but the odds are already on the move on which manager will leave his post first in the Premier League.
It was on December 27 when we witnessed the first Premier League casualty of last season after Crystal Palace dismissed Neil Warnock, but with the stakes increasing every year, could we be braced for an early departure?
1. DICK ADVOCAAT (Sunderland)
- Dick Advocaat is the new 7/2 favourite - and a solid-looking one at that - to get the boot first after his men were smashed 4-2 at Leicester on Sunday. His response will not have filled Sunderland's fans with optimism either after he revealed: "The result scared me a little bit, but also the way we played."
I'd be scared too because Sunderland were 3-0 down at half-time to a side, who under new boss Claudio Ranieri, are also expected to struggle.
2. QUIQUE FLORES (Watford)
- Second in line for the boot at 7/1 is Watford's Spanish boss, but he looks short and hard done by after a fantastic opening 2-2 draw at Everton. It could have been even better for the Hornets but for Arouna Kone's late strike, but Flores was content with the draw and said his team showed "soul".
The owners did not waste too much time in chopping Slavisa Jokanovic after his contract demands proved too high, so Flores' position is far from assured but with WBA at home up next he has a great chance to add to his growing stature.
3. BRENDAN RODGERS (Liverpool)
- The bookies had Rodgers down as the 5/1 favourite ahead of the weekend's action, but he always looked a soft favourite to me and he has been eased in the market now to 10/1 after the 1-0 win at Stoke.
Liverpool were far from impressive at the Britannia, but in reference to Liverpool chairman Tom Werner's comments before the weekend I get the feeling Brendan has 'bought' another season at the helm regardless of the results this season.
Werner said: "I think our track record demonstrates that our approach and attitude is very much focused on stability. We have demonstrated that both on and off the pitch.
"We do believe Brendan is the right man for Liverpool and the right man to take the club forward."
4. ROBERTO MARTINEZ (Everton)
- The Everton boss has been quiet in the transfer market and after last season's forgettable 11th-placed finish the Toffees needed a big start against Watford. That didn't happen as they just managed to a grab a point at home to Watford.
Martinez admitted he was "shocked" by the Hornets - not a great advert for his pre-match preparations, but Bill Kenwright is unlikely to make any rash decisions and the 12/1 looks very skinny.
5. TIM SHERWOOD (Aston Villa)
- Timmy's boys won at multi-millionaire-backed Bournemouth (the Premier League's fairytale story or so we're told) at the weekend and I cannot believe the bookies have him as short as 14/1.
Owner Randy Lerner showed patience with previous boss Paul Lambert and given Villa have sold Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph I think Sherwood will be cut some slack if results start going wrong.
6. CLAUDIO RANIERI (Leicester City)
- Enjoyed a fantastic opening-day result at home to Sunderland to immediately buy himself some time, but at 12/1 he could still represent decent value.
Leicester created a glut of chances, but that was more likely down to Sunderland's poor showing rather than Leicester's prowess. The are still likely to struggle this season.
7. SLAVEN BILIC (West Ham)
- The slightly mad Croatian was my ante-post favourite after getting bundled out of the Europa League, but he is a 14/1 chance now after Sunday's 2-0 win at Arsenal.
Bilic has obviously eased in the market after getting his tactics spot on against Arsene Wenger's men and the early exit from Europe could prove to be a blessing in disguise.
8. ALEX NEIL (Norwich)
- City boss Neil is an 18/1 shot after the Canaries' opening 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
Norwich are expected to struggle after failing to impress with their pre-season arrivals, but with expectation low Neil is likely to be afforded plenty of time to try and establish City in the top flight.
9. TONY PULIS (West Brom)
- The Albion boss is a 20/1 shot to go ahead of tonight's home date with Man City.
10. MANUEL PELLEGRINI (Man City)
- Pellegrini (20/1) has just signed a one-year extension to his City deal, but don't read too much into that because it looks like an attempt to minimise the questions over his future.
He knows he has to win the title or Champions League to save his job, but he may well get the season before Pep Guardiola is given the nod.
11. MAURICIO POCHETTINO (Tottenham)
- Spurs struggled to get going at Old Trafford, but still they should have gone away with a draw
12. EDDIE HOWE (Bournemouth)
- Guided the Cherries to promotion and will be interesting to see how patient the club's Russian owner Maxim Denim will be if the club have a poor start. At 22/1 he could represent decent value.
13. GARY MONK (Swansea)
- Looks as safe as houses at The Liberty after a good season last term and the opening draw at Chelsea suggests they can maintain their progress this term. Has a good relationship with chairman Huw Jenkins and I can't be tempted by 33/1
14. MARK HUGHES (Stoke)
- Unlucky to start with a defeat to Liverpool, but he's being afforded the money to bring creativity to his squad and at 33/1 there are plenty of other better bets.
15. STEVE MCCLAREN (Newcastle)
- Arrived in the summer after snubbing the club at least twice. He'll be hoping the club show more confidence in him than he showed them. Also a 33/1 poke.
16. ALAN PARDEW (C Palace)
- Untouchable at Selhurst Park after matching the most number of wins by a Crystal Palace boss in the Premier League (11) in just 19 games in charge. 33/1 looks short.
17. RONALD KOEMAN (Southampton)
- Another boss who looks almost untouchable (40/1). Oversaw a fantastic season last term and more of the same looks likely, albeit with the distraction of Europe.
18. JOSE MOURINHO (Chelsea)
- Something would have to go very wrong, very quickly at Stamford Bridge for Jose (50/1)
19. ARSENE WENGER (Arsenal)
- Awful first result, but he's been in charge since the beginning of time and there's no chance he will get the bullet first at 50/1.
20. LOUIS VAN GAAL (Man Utd)
- Van Gaal has spent a fortune since he arrived at Old Trafford and at 80/1 he is as safe as anyone.
NO MANAGER TO LEAVE 20/1
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