EPL Sack Race: Who Are the 5 “Favourites”?

Premier League managers are rarely afforded patience, and several are already feeling the pressure as the season unfolds. Nottingham Forest and West Ham have already made coaching changes, and it appears more could follow. Below, we look at how bookmakers currently rank the top five favourites in the Premier League sack race.

Vitor Pereira – Wolves (17.00)

Vitor Pereira’s impressive impact at Wolves last season has quickly faded. Appointed in December with the club languishing in 19th place, he inspired an immediate turnaround by collecting seven points from his first three matches. Wolves went on to finish 16th, ending the campaign 17 points clear of relegation, and even achieved a club-record run of six consecutive Premier League victories.

However, that momentum has vanished. The poor form that began late last season has carried into the current campaign, with Wolves now winless in seven matches. While back-to-back draws against Tottenham and Brighton have shown some signs of progress, Pereira is under mounting pressure with Wolves rooted to the bottom of the table. Upcoming fixtures against newly promoted sides Sunderland and Burnley could determine his fate.

Daniel Farke – Leeds United (17.00)

Leeds United’s return to the Premier League has been solid if unspectacular. The Whites currently sit four points clear of the relegation zone, offering some stability after their recent promotion.

Daniel Farke, twice relegated from the top flight during his time with Norwich City in 2019/20 and 2021/22, is determined to prove he can consolidate a club’s position among England’s elite. So far, Leeds have looked organised and resilient, but Farke knows there is still much to do to ensure survival and build a foundation for long-term success.

Keith Andrews – Brentford (17.00)

Brentford took a gamble in the summer by appointing Keith Andrews, the former set-piece coach, to succeed Thomas Frank. Without prior experience managing at senior level, Andrews faced an uphill task from the outset.

The challenge has been intensified by a difficult summer transfer window. The Bees lost key players Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard, and Yoane Wissa, significantly weakening their squad. As a result, Brentford are just three points above the relegation places. The club’s bold managerial experiment has yet to pay off, and Andrews will need results quickly to quieten the doubters.

Ruben Amorim – Manchester United (4.50)

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently stated that Ruben Amorim should be given “three years” to implement his vision at Old Trafford. Yet, patience at a club of United’s stature is rarely long-lasting when results falter.

Amorim’s current record stands at a concerning 29.41% win rate in the Premier League. The Red Devils finished last season in 15th place — their lowest league finish since their relegation in 1974. Despite a hefty summer investment of £170.7 million, performances have yet to improve significantly. The Portuguese manager faces intense scrutiny to justify the backing he has received and to restore some pride to one of England’s biggest clubs.

Ange Postecoglou – Nottingham Forest (1.40)

Nottingham Forest could be on the verge of their second managerial change of the season. Following Nuno Espirito Santo’s dispute with the club’s board, Ange Postecoglou was appointed to take charge in early September.

The Australian’s arrival marked a drastic stylistic shift, and the transition has proven far from smooth. Since Postecoglou took over on 9th September, Forest have failed to register a single win. With results stagnating and confidence dropping, pressure is growing for another change at the City Ground.

Conclusion

Le Premier League managerial merry-go-round never stops turning. As the season progresses, the pressure intensifies for those at the bottom, with even minor dips in form potentially sealing a manager’s fate. From Vitor Pereira’s struggles at Wolves to Postecoglou’s tough start at Nottingham Forest, the sack race is heating up — and more changes could be just around the corner.