Coral’s boss watch: Louis van Gaal still favourite to go next
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | January 4, 2016
Victory over Swansea City hasn’t relieved very much pressure on Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, as he remains Coral’s market leader in the next Premier League manager to go market.
Odds-on at 2/5, Van Gaal has the spectre of Jose Mourinho hanging over him at Old Trafford with the former Chelsea manager an 11/10 favourite to succeed the Dutchman.
The Swans have been a bogey team of United’s in recent seasons, so their 2-1 victory will be welcome in the Red Devils camp as it ended their wretched winless run, even if it hasn’t enhanced Van Gaal’s prospects.
Garde gloom deepens
Losing 3-1 to relegation rivals Sunderland has already put Aston Villa on the brink effectively, and winless head coach Remi Garde is a 4/1 chance to be next boss to go.
West Midlands outfit Villa look destined for the Championship, but Garde has vowed to stay on. That decision will be in the hands of reluctant owner Randy Lerner, who has understandably found a buyer very difficult to come by.
Regardless of who is at the helm of first-team affairs, it is going to be very difficult to attract players to the Villans, so it may make sense to stick with Garde and begin the rebuilding process early.
Could Koeman come under threat from Saints struggles?
Southampton’s shocking downturn in form this winter is difficult to explain, and that makes Ronald Koeman a 20/1 punt in this market.
Tabloid gossip columns claim he has had stern words for African Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama, who are targets for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.
Speculation over potential sales has certainly had a destabilising effect on the Saints, who have just one win in nine across all competitions.
And yet, Koeman is rated as likely as no manager to leave before the end of this Premier League season.
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