This season, the Premier League has once again showcased its reputation for ruthless decision-making, with four managers already shown the exit door before November wrapped up. It’s starting to feel like my houseplants have a longer lease of life than some of these gaffers, and at least my begonias don’t argue over team selection.
Recent Departures
Nuno Espirito Santo – Nottingham Forest
First through the revolving door was Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest. His time in charge came to an end at the start of October, largely due to a notoriously rocky relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Graham Potter – West Ham United
A few weeks later, Graham Potter found himself in a precarious position at West Ham. After suffering five defeats in six league outings, Potter’s tenure was cut short as the club sought a fresh start.
Ange Postecoglou – Nottingham Forest
The third casualty of this turbulent season was Ange Postecoglou, who was dismissed after just eight matches at Forest. His final match saw the team suffer a humiliating 3-0 loss to Chelsea.
Vitor Pereira – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Most recently, Vitor Pereira was relieved of his duties at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Following a woeful start that left the club anchored at the bottom of the league, Rob Edwards was parachuted in to take over.
The Pressure Heightens at Leeds United
Now, the spotlight has shifted to Leeds United, where Daniel Farke is the odds-on favorite to be the next manager out of work. After a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Elland Road, the local faithful made their feelings known, booing the team off the pitch after witnessing three gilt-edged misses. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri also faced criticism for his positioning, as Morgan Rogers’ free-kick found the back of the net.
Despite the board’s public support for Farke, the pressure has intensified rapidly. He now tops the sack-race betting market, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot trailing closely behind.
A Challenging Road Ahead
Looking at the road ahead for Farke, it is difficult to envision a path to redemption. His team faces a daunting schedule, with three of their next five league fixtures against:
- Manchester City (away)
- Chelsea (home)
- Liverpool (home)
Additionally, they have challenging trips to Brentford and Crystal Palace on the horizon.
When assessing Farke’s likelihood of retaining his position, it is essential to weigh current form, schedule difficulty, and supporter unrest. Regrettably, his side has shown too little for too long, and those heavyweight fixtures could very well be the final straw.
Betting on the Future
If you are considering a small wager on the next manager to leave their post, it’s wise to take into account both the upcoming fixtures and the club’s declining tolerance for poor performance. I would not be surprised if Farke is clearing his desk by the winter break. If he somehow survives this storm, he might have better odds of finding a jar of marmalade in my fridge than keeping his job beyond the Christmas fixtures.