Coral’s boss watch: Monk maintained in pole position for PL axe
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | November 23, 2015
Garry Monk remains Coral’s odds-on 1/3 favourite to be next Premier League boss to go, as Swansea City could only manage a home draw with injury-ravaged Bournemouth.
A siege mentality at the Liberty Stadium has given way to laxity with relative rookie manager Monk under mounting pressure. It wasn’t so long ago that in some quarters he had been earmarked as an England head coach in waiting.
Swansea struggles break surface
Swans chairman Huw Jenkins’ bizarre rant about media outlets biding their time before unleashing criticism on his team is a clear indicator that the heat is even being felt in the boardroom. Reports have surfaced on Monday that Monk’s position in now under review following one win in 10 matches.
There is no doubting Swansea have come an awfully long way over the last dozen years, but the crest of the wave in going from bottom-tier to top-flight in English football has been well and truly ridden by the south Wales side.
When a wave breaks, there is eventually a backwash, and could that cause the Swans to sink? Coral will be keeping a close eye on affairs at the Liberty.
Mourinho buys more time
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, has seen his price to be next axed drift to 5/1 (from 3/1) as the Blues beat Norwich City.
A midweek Champions League clash with relative minnows Maccabi Tel Aviv presents an opportunity for the Stamford Bridge outfit to build further momentum after a disastrous defence of the Premier League title.
Mourinho’s musings about not deserving January funds look like another calculated ploy to ensure he actually gets plenty of backing in the winter window from Russian oligarch and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
A stable market
Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has been cut from 9/1 into 5/1 also but, that apart, the next boss to go market remains relatively stable.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe (16/1) and Norwich coach Alex Neil (12/1) remain at the same prices, while it’s 33/1 bar those names quoted above.
