Being in charge of a team in one of the most fiercely competitive leagues in the world comes at a heavy price. Your decisions are constantly scrutinised and your club's supporters represent an army of armchair football managers, all with different opinions on tactics, formations and players. On top of that, if you lose a succession of games the board will cast you aside quicker than you can say Premier League.
The Premier League Sack Race odds are now back up and running, with Newcastle's Alan Pardew the new favourite. Other early contenders to depart include Michael Appleton and Andre Villas-Boas.
The 2012/13 Premier League season saw a total of seven managerial changes. Roberto Di Matteo surprisingly became the first top flight boss manager to lose his job this season after Chelsea sacked him on November 21st. Just 48 hours later QPR boss Mark Hughes lost his job after the board decided a change was needed in order to boost their chances of survival.
Saints gaffer Nigel Adkins became the shock third top flight sacking after the south coast axed him and brought in Mauricio Pochettino. In March Brian McDermott was sent packing by Reading, with Sunderland sacking Martin O'Neill at the end of the month.
Manchester United confirmed on May 8 that Sir Alex Ferguson would be retiring at the end of the campaign. The Scot has enjoyed a staggering 26 seasons at Old Trafford and has now drawn the curtains on his career having reclaimed the Premier League title. Everton's David Moyes was swiftly revealed as his replacement for the start of the 2013/14 season.
Meanwhile Roberto Mancini was sacked on May 13th - a year to the day that he led Man City to the Premier League title. In the aftermath of the season Tony Pulis parted ways with Stoke by mutual consent following seven years at the Britannia. The start of the summer also saw Roberto Martinez trade Wigan for Everton.
We profile all the managers in the Premier League from those fighting for the title and European places to those down the bottom embroiled in a relegation battle. We will be keeping a close eye on Old Trafford over the coming seasons as Sir Alex Ferguson fights to win more trophies before deciding the best time for him to retire. We will also be looking at all the managers trying to fight it out with Sir Alex for honours domestically and in Europe. Those managers include Roberto Mancini, Arsene Wenger and Roberto Di Matteo who will all harbour hopes of winning the Premier League this season.
