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By Pete Wilson
26 May 2010
Rafael Benitez has been installed as the 7-2 bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job, in a market priced by William Hill as “the sack race”.
“There is already speculation about the long-term future of a number of Prem bosses, but we think Benitez is the most likely to part company with his club”, said Hill’s spokesman, Graham Sharpe.
The manner in which a manager leaves does not necessarily have to be by sacking, although the majority of managers who leave Premier League clubs do so because they have been fired.
Hills’ odds apparently do not reflect the fact that Benitez could cost £16m to sack – that would be his pay-off if his contract were terminated and he did not find another job. Then again, Hills’ odds are marked up with a combination of weight of money on a certain outcome (ie: general perception) plus local factors.
With Liverpool’s ownership make-up about to change, Benitez’s future is perceived as uncertain. Benitez himself has been exploring options away from Liverpool.
Alex Ferguson is least likely Premier League manager to leave, according to the odds (50-1).
Hills make Roberto Mancini 9/2 second favourite, which indicates the inherent instability of Manchester City. Hills also offer: 5/1 Roberto Di Matteo, 7/1 Roy Hodgson, 8/1 Chris Hughton, 12/1 Martin O’Neill, 12/1 Sam Allardyce, 12/1 Alex McLeish, 14/1 Roberto Martinez, 14/1 Mick McCarthy, 16/1 Ian Holloway, 16/1 Harry Redknapp, 16/1 Steve Bruce, 16/1 Tony Pulis, 16/1 Owen Coyle, 20/1 Arsene Wenger, 25/1 next permanent West Ham manager, 25/1 Carlo Ancelotti, 25/1 No manager to leave, 33/1 David Moyes, 50/1 Alex Ferguson.
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