White Hart Lane soap opera turns Managerial Change market on its head

Betfacts / Alsy / 21 August 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Morgan in the driving seat looking at....the Premiership sack race

In days gone by, a 4-0 home win was the sort of result that could save a manager's job. You suspect Martin Jol (around evens) will have to beat Manchester United by a similar scoreline this Sunday at Old Trafford to avoid the ignominy of winning the Premiership's managerial sack race.

A Spurs victory may enable Jol to hold his head high as he collects his P45 but it looks like the dye has already been cast with Sevilla's highly rated coach Juande Ramos touted to move to north London. Jol's even been denied the customary 'chairman's vote of confidence' before the guillotine descends while my contacts tell me that the Spurs hierarchy are actively briefing the press against him painting a picture of player dissent. It seems Jol has run out of time.

There are a few Premiership managers shuffling nervously on hot seats but at this stage I doubt that even Jol would back himself to survive. I certainly can't see another outcome with speed a necessary factor in the drama. La Liga is about to kick off and Spurs will need to tie up Ramos swiftly to avoid an embarrassing soap opera. If I had to bet the farm I'd bet it on Jol.

Last month some pundits were suggesting that West Ham were an outside bet for a European place. Alan Curbishley (16.5) would happily swap future European jaunts for Premiership stability at present. It seems it takes managers a little time to make a large group of football mercenaries work together as a team... unless your name is Sven-Goran Eriksson.

It's alleged that Alan Curbishley is not well liked by many in his squad, a view confirmed by my own contacts at Charlton and West Ham long before Paul Konchesky's recent outburst. Assuming that it's all true does this make Curbishley any more likely to win the sack race? I think not.

He's offloaded many West Ham regulars and recruited an entirely new team in the process. It's ridiculous to suggest that all these new players are ready to revolt. Two games into West Ham's new season, losing to Manchester City doesn't seem like the capital crime we all thought at the time. As for player dissent, arguing with Craig Bellamy counts for little with a player known for his ability to spark an argument in an empty room. More importantly, Curbishley has the continued backing of a chairman who proved last season that he can remain calm under fire.

Little has been heard from Bolton's chairman Phil Gartside of late. It's seems he's taken the view that if you can't say anything nice about Sammy Lee (3.85) then say nothing at all.

Lee took over at the end of last season and failed to impress with victories. Everyone in the game talks about his many attributes but Bolton fans are justifiably worried that he lacks the only attribute that really counts - the ability to win Premiership matches.

Newcastle at home and Fulham/Portsmouth away is not the harshest start to any season but Bolton have zero points and have conceded eight goals.

Chris Hutchings (25) and Gareth Southgate (10.5) have wins under their belts while Steve Bruce (11.5) and Billy Davis (28) are operating under slightly reduced expectations at Birmingham and Derby respectively. They at least have registered a point each.

The clock is ticking for Lee but Jol looks the first to go unless Spurs fail in their Spanish inquisition.

Tags: Alan Curbishley, Martin Jol, Premiership sack race