Whos up next in the Sack Race?

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Football Managers, particularly those in the Premier League, have always had a lot on their plate to deal with when running the affairs of a football team. They are the pivotal figure of the club and have the task of keeping all interested parties happy at all times and of course must deliver results on the pitch and who by most chairman, are not given any great length of time to achieve such. A successful manager can expect to be extraordinarily well paid, receive total loyalty from his players, be worshipped by the fans and be respected by the media. However, these are few and far between in football today! Conversely, an unsuccessful manager will have the wrath of all on his head before he is finally given the ‘order of the boot’.

Success of course, comes in varying degrees. In the Premier League for instance a successful season for many is avoiding relegation, for others it is to gain a European place for the following season and for the managers of the elite band of teams, it is a top four place (and qualification for the Champions League) or nothing. For lower league managers, success is everything to do with promotion and relegation, a narrow failure for promotion is usually rewarded with a second crack at the whip, but where relegation means you simply get whipped.

So far in the 2009/10 Season, the Premier League has witnessed only one managerial casualty, that of Paul Hart at Portsmouth and it is inconceivable that he will be followed by others before the season is out. In international football, Scotland boss George Burley has gone, but now that the World Cup final places have been decided, most International managers can feel reasonably comfortable that they are safe for at least until the Euro 2012 Group phases start.

Those who are likely to follow Paul Hart out of the Premier League, is Hull City’s Phil Brown, who has been favourite in the next manager to be sacked betting for some time. In fact, betting on his departure has been suspended recently as the rumours about his impending departure increase; however, he is still there and making life difficult for those who want him out by helping turn around Hull’s recent form.

Rapidly joining him at the head of the sack race is Bolton boss, Gary Megson, who seems as short of ideas as he is of quality players. He will be put under huge scrutiny from now on in after several defeats, which has seen his side become prime relegation candidates.

Mick McCarthy of Wolves could also be in the firing line after his side have struggled to find form since winning promotion to the Premier League. Wolves started off the season quite brightly, but their shortcomings and style of play under McCarthy is now being found out and a drastic re-think could be necessary by The Molineaux board.

Liverpool boss, Rafa Benitez, who has just been given the welcome boost of a vote of confidence from his board, has been in the firing line for some time. His future at Anfield will now be based upon a Premier League top four finish, a target which will be made all the more difficult with Spurs, Aston Villa and Man City all seemingly well positioned for an assault on the top four.

Of course no manager is safe and any of the following could be sacked without warning at any time. Roberto Martinez, the Wigan boss, who was on the receiving end of a 9-1 thrashing by Spurs recently, could he be next a run of bad form on the back of that demolition at White Hart Lane could spell the end of the Spaniard’s short stay in the North West. Mark Hughes of Man City could also be on uneasy ground, with all the money made available to him to not produce the desired results could soon end his days at Eastlands. Gianfranco Zola too of West Ham, who is struggling to ‘cut the mustard’ at Upton Park and the fans are beginning to make their voices heard – that alone is sometimes enough to provoke a reaction from sometimes nervous Board of Directors.