The next four games leading to the end of the first half of the season is typically reserved for evaluating team performances and determining next line of action. That means to either maintain current course or to fire the Manager. In most cases, lagging teams choose the latter.
With that background in mind, I would like to introduce The Manager Sack Index. Every week, Footy Bozz will evaluate the 'heat index' of Managers likely to be fired, and rank the top 5 in the order of who is most likely to go first.
Let's begin!
#1. Steve Bruce
No surprise here. His team is currently ranked 16th on the table, and play Wolverhampton Wanderers away next week. Wolves are right behind Sunderland in 17th place, and would fancy their chances after the no-show against Chelsea in Stamford Bridge.
Wolves Manager, Mick McCarthy is known to focus maximum effort on 'winnable' games, and he would have prepared his team to go all out and get 3 points from this fixture. Sunderland would drop into the relegation zone should they lose to Wolves.
For a team that invested in close to 11 new players (some of whom are retirees from Man United) at the start of the season, that is unacceptable.
Besides, his showdown talks with Sunderland Chiefs in the next few days may well determine his fate.
Another reason why Steve Bruce will be gone before Christmas? Martin O'Neil is available.
#2. Steve Kean
Word got around recently that Steve Kean had signed a new contract. Don't be fooled. Since taking over from Big Sam last year, Kean's men have managed only 5 wins in over 30 games.
If that's not telling enough, Blackburn fans are investing a lot of money in creative communications to get him fired. After being banned from carrying placards calling for Steve's head into the home venue, fans have proceeded to rent airplanes to fly over the stadium on match days with their message.
Surely, he should be #1 on the list, right? The only reason he is #2 is because he may survive next week with Swansea coming into town. Swansea has challenges away from home, and Blackburn's experienced players may capitalize.
Nonetheless, Steve Kean has been hanging on a thread since the start of the season. The weigh under the thread is getting heavier.
#3. Owen Coyle
Based on style and managerial acumen, Owen Coyle shouldn't be near this list. He's one of the few 'Mentor-Managers' left in the game. Players love playing for him because he's patient in his approach and they learn from the experience of playing in his team.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Danny Welbeck (Man United) and Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), are all players that sharpened their skills under Coyle and moved on to be stars in top teams this season.
Sadly, the results have not been forthcoming due to a chronic injury problem in his squad. He won't get the results this weekend either, as his team travels to face red hot Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
#4. Mick McCarthy
For Mick it's simple - win Sunderland and Steve Bruce goes. Lose, and the pressure to fire him is back on. 1+1 = 2.
#5. Roberto Martinez
With Wigan second to last on the table, you would have expected Martinez to be up there with Steve Kean and Steve Bruce. However, he showed great loyalty to the Wigan owners when he turned down an opportunity to join Aston Villa in the off-season. The owners will show great loyalty by giving him some more weeks till the end of the year, to improve.
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