The Premier League sack race: managers on the hot seat

2. Mike Phelan

You have to feel for a man who had been on the job for three months before he was officially vetted and named manager. These must be nervy times for Mike Phelan, who despite being officially on the job for but a fortnight finds himself among the bookmakers’ favorites to be sacked.

Phelan, he of Sir Alex Ferguson assistant fame, had been in charge of Hull all of 83 days before the club board deemed him worthy of the official title of manager. This is the same Phelan who had exceeded expectations to start the season, picking up six points from his first three games, including a 2-1 victory over last season’s champions Leicester. The chips were always stacked against Phelan, as he had to start the campaign with only 13 fit senior players. After overcoming tremendous challenges in August and early September, Hull were becoming the darlings of the Premier League. That seems a long time ago now.

Part of the reason Phelan seems to be on shaky ground is the long wait period before the relationship became official. A man who for three months had to constantly prove his worth, in spite of exceptional performances with the weak hand he was dealt, is a man the club will have no issues dumping to the curb when things get a little shaky. And shaky they are, as Phelan’s Tigers have gone completely cold, picking up just one point in their last six games and having been beaten soundly by Bournemouth, 6-1 .

Rest assured that managers such as Sam Allardyce and Harry Redknapp are lurking in the shadows and will not hesitate to start making their interest known as Phelan’s side continues slipping into the vulnerability of the relegation zone.