Written by Guy P.

So far this season, 3 English Premier League managers have seen the P45.  Last November, ruthless Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sacked manager and fan-favourite Roberto Di Matteo.  Two days later QPR supporters were relieved when chairman Tony Fernandes finally dispensed with the services of Mark Hughes, whose expensively assembled side were languishing at the bottom of the league without a win all season.  And, last week, in a widely criticised decision Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese dismissed Nigel Adkins – this despite the fact that the newly promoted team were not in the  EPL relegation zone.

So who else is walking the tight rope in the EPL sack race?

Rafa Benitez – The choice of the former Liverpool manager to replace the popular  Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea was met with contempt by the club’s fans.  Performances to date have done little to dispel their belief that the Spaniard’s appointment was a poor decision.  The insipid display against Swansea earlier this week in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup being a case in point.  Though it would seem unlikely that Chelsea will extend the contract of under-fire interim boss Benitez, whose contract is due to expire in the summer, it is expected that he will remain in his post until then.

Could Chelsea actually sack the interim manager for another interim manager before a permanent boss takes over from the new interim manager?

Verdict – William Hill: 14/1

Alan Pardew – Newcastle have been as poor this season as they were impressive last and there are growing signs of discontent amongst The Toon Army, who have recently voiced their disapproval at a number of Pardew’s substitutions.  However one might assume from the frenetic transfer activity at Newcastle during the January Transfer Window that chairman Mike Ashley is not planning to relieve Pardew of his duties just yet.

Verdict – William Hill: 4/1

Paul Lambert – The Aston Villa boss must be wishing that he had never left former club Norwich, so disastrous is his tenure proving to be.  The two-legged loss to League 2 Bradford was a catastrophe and it is widely assumed that time must be running out for the under-pressure Scot.  With Aston Villa near the foot of Premier League it is imperative that the club start winning games quickly, but with a porous defence leaking goals at an alarming rate, this seems unlikely.

Verdict – William Hill: 1/2