As the transfer window approaches there has been a lot of focus on club managers as teams fail to perform. The biggest news all week has focused on Chelsea’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti. With a couple of significant losses in recent weeks, there have been rumblings suggesting he should go. On betting markets, his odds of being the next manager replaced have tumbled from 10/1 to 3/1 second favourite.
Chelsea have a history of acting quickly when the team is not producing results. He may have helped them secure the English Premiership last season, but that will be forgotten if they are not perceived as a real chance to repeat the effort this season. Chelsea are still favoured to win the title, but these recent losses have put that in some doubt. If the team doesn’t fire over the next month, he may be forced to jump before he is well and truly pushed.
Favourite to be replaced next is Avram Grant, manager of West Ham. They are languishing at the bottom of the table and look to be a real threat for relegation. Grant has not had the job for long and his mandate is to rebuild the team to make it a viable winning football club. He appears to have the full support of both the owners and players, even though results are slow in coming. Grant is 4/7 favourite to be the next to go.
Finally, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is under pressure with City not delivering despite having the highest paid and the most experienced list in England at present. His problem is one that we have outlined on a number of occasions, he has a team of champions who have not learned how to play together as a champion team. His days may well be numbered as well if he cannot turn things around. Mancini is 9/2 third favourite to be the next manager replaced.
Our view – Grant has the support of his club as they try to rebuild. He will most likely be given the time needed so 4/7 is not a value bet. Ancelotti on the other hand is managing a club that is notorious for having a short fuse when the club starts to fail on the field. At 3/1, he is good value in betting. What may save his bacon at present is the lack of really top notch managers that could replace him. He’s still our tip, however.