How Many Premier League Managers Will Leave Their Post This Season?

The 2012/13 Premier League season is drawing closer and closer by the minute, with excitement levels palpable. From Saturday 18th August all eyes will be on the most exciting league in the world, with the upcoming campaign likely to be as frantic and thrilling as ever. Expectation levels will be typically high at the top clubs, while there is likely to be immense pressure on managers at teams fighting for survival.

Four Premier League managers lost their jobs during the course of the 2011/12 campaign, with a further six clubs making managerial changes since the dust settled on the final day of what was a truly sensational season. After another whirlwind summer a staggering six managers will begin life at new clubs this season, while four bosses will be making their debut in the top flight.
 
Steve Bruce became the first gaffer to lose his job last season, with Sunderland sending him packing at the end of November following a poor run of form. Eight days into the New Year Neil Warnock was sacked by QPR, with Mick McCarthy fired from Wolves just over a month later. At the start of March Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was the fourth and final manager to lose his job, which turned out to be a masterstroke by the London club, who went on to win the Champions League and FA Cup double under caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo.

Since last season ended Aston Villa and Liverpool have sent Alex McLeish and Kenny Dalglish respectively, with Villa prizing Paul Lambert away from Norwich City and Liverpool securing the services of Brendan Rodgers from Swansea. Meanwhile Roy Hodgson left West Brom to begin a new chapter in his career in charge of England, while Harry Redknapp was surprisingly sacked by Spurs.

As things stand Southampton's Nigel Adkins is currently the early favourite in Stan James' Next Premier League Manager To Leave His Post betting market. The Saints have been absent from the top flight for six years and could not have been dealt a more difficult opening fixture, with the South coast club travelling to defending champions Manchester City, who took 55 points from an available 57 at the Etihad last season. Adkins’ men also have to play Arsenal and Man Utd in their opening four fixtures, which means the 47-year-old could be in a spot of bother earlier on. Elsewhere new West Brom boss Steve Clarke is likely to face a tough challenge, while the pressure is also likely to be on West Ham manager Sam Allardyce.

Stan James have slapped down odds of 7/2 for three managers or less to leave their post this season, while a repeat of last campaign with exactly four managers to depart is available at 10/3. Meanwhile you can back five managerial changes to occur at 3/1, while six or more is priced at 6/4. With so many teams remodelling since the start of the year there are unlikely to be any hasty dismissals at the start of the season. However, with that said the ruthless nature of the modern game means that no one is ever safe. Expect the rumour mill to be in full swing around the festive period when pressure really starts to build.

How Many Premier League Managers Will Leave Their Post This Season

• 7/2 - 3 Managers Or Less
• 10/3 - Exactly 4 Managers
• 3/1 - Exactly 5 Managers
• 6/4 - 6 Managers Or More

Odds supplied by Stan James