SLAVEN BILIC became the first Premier League manager to get the chop this season after failing to make it into the New Year with West Brom.
And ahead of a busy festive period we look at the top contenders who are currently leading the sack race.
Chris Wilder was left with his head in his hands during their loss to Man UtdCredit: AP:Associated Press
SunSport sees how the land lies for Arsenal’s under-fire boss Mikel Arteta and Man Utd’s heavily scrutinised boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the use of the latest odds from Ladbrokes.
UNSURPRISINGLY Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder currently leads the sack race.
The Blades have picked up just one point from 13 Premier League games after losing 3-2 to Man Utd after taking an early lead.
Sheffield United now have endured officially the worst start to a season in Premier League history – after losing 12 of their opening 13 matches.
And as the rock-bottom Blades remain winless, Wilder is still under immense pressure.
Wilder has said: “If players want to stay in this division then they have to make better decisions.
“We’re all worried because we care about results and performances. We’re in this position for a reason.”
He added: “We are a losing team at the moment and I am the manager of a losing team.
“Whether it is cruel or deserved, we have to make the right decisions. If we make the right decisions we get something from the game against a really decent team.”
MIKEL ARTETA has come under intense scrutiny this season as Arsenal currently sit in 15th place.
They are just five points away from the relegation zone after suffering their worst start to a season in 39 years.
And with the Gunners being considerably closer to the drop zone than the European places, it’s clearly going to raise concerns.
Mikel Arteta is under immense pressure at the EmiratesCredit: PA:Press Association
As frustrations continue to grow game by game among the Arsenal fan base, the Spanish tactician is begging for time in the hotseat.
He said: “We have to accept the Premier League form in recent weeks has not been good enough for this football club.
“It’s like anything in this industry – you need results.
“But after a big shake-up we need to find stability. We need time, we all knew that when they made the decision with me to start this new project.
” It wasn’t a quick fix and it was going to take time.”
ON paper Manchester United are having a strong season – but Ole Gunnar Solksjaer can’t keep the critics quiet.
Their result at Bramall Lane saw them win their tenth consecutive away match, a record stretching back to last season.
And the Red Devils sit above Chelsea and Man City in the league while being just a couple points adrift of second-placed Tottenham.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is third favourite to be sacked next with LadbrokesCredit: Reuters
But it’s the manner of their performances, a poor home record and their Champions League exit which has kept Solskjaer in the spotlight.
United have just one home league win from six games, which came against West Brom.
And they have seen themselves go behind in their last six away games before going on to win.
Solskjaer said: “We need to sort the home form. It is not like it is home and away with these conditions without fans. We should be more used to the Old Trafford pitches than these pitches.
“Sunday [against Leeds] is a massive game, we have been waiting for years and we will be ready for it.”
AFTER being one of the frontrunners Scott Parker’s odds have drifted after his results have rapidly improved.
In their last four outings, Fulham have beaten Leicester and drawn against Liverpool and Brighton.
This has lifted them a point from safety as the Cottagers are looking much harder to beat, after they lost seven of their first nine league games.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is beaming after Man Utd’s defeat of Sheffield
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
