Sporting Life
Ten Hag, Pochettino, Howe

Sack race: Erik ten Hag odds-on, Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe cut in

By Joe Townsend
14:59 · TUE December 26, 2023

Erik ten Hag will spend Christmas as the odds-on favourite in the sack race after Manchester United suffered a fourth defeat in six games, this time 2-0 at West Ham, but Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe are under growing pressure too.

United's defeat at the London Stadium saw them slip to eighth place in the Premier League table and they have now lost half of their 26 matches in all competitions this season.

Those stark facts, coupled with finishing bottom of a Champions League group containing Copenhagen and Galatasary, would already have Ten Hag's position under heavy scrutiny, but the confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group's 25% purchase of the club has heaped further pressure on the Dutchman.

Pochettino was cut in from 12s to 6/1 after his 10th-placed Chelsea side lost 2-1 at Wolves on Christmas Eve, an eighth league defeat of the season, seemingly aiming to compete with United for who can have the most dismal campaign.

Howe's price was trimmed from 16/1 to 9s following Newcastle's chastening defeat at Luton, which continued a terrible campaign on the road for the Magpies - they have collected only five points from nine away fixtures thus far.

Next Premier League Manager to Leave (odds via Betfair)

  • Erik ten Hag - 17/20
  • Roy Hodgson - 5/1
  • Mauricio Pochettino - 6/1
  • Eddie Howe - 9/1
  • Vincent Kompany - 14/1
  • Nuno Espirito Santo - 16/1

Odds correct 1530 GMT (24/12/23)

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