Next Manager To Leave Betting

The music is about to stop and Avram Grant’s got nowhere to sit; his chair has been put through the chipper, the remains set alight and the ashes fired into space. That Karen Brady is meaner than she looks. William Hill have Avram Grant at 1/3 to be the next Premie League Manager to lose his job and the rest aren’t even taking bets which doesn’t bode well for the West Ham manager.

In the current climate almost every Premier Leage Manager seems to be in fear of losing their job and the current fashion of changing manager mid-season has seemingly taken fancy at Upton Park. But if you look at the bare results you could say Avram Grant is a bit unlucky to be leading the betting.

West Ham had a dreadful start to the season and that is the main reason why they find themselves in this predicament but three wins in their last eight isn’t terrible form, indeed the Hammers have only lost one of their last six home Premier League games and are only five points off mid table. Lets look at the ‘sack-race’ betting for those managing teams directly above West Ham:

Martinez (Wigan) 20/1
Houllier (Villa) 12/1
McCarthy (Wolves) 16/1
Di Matteo (WBA) 25/1

When looking at the betting you’d assume Avram Grant must have done something terrible but he’s had less money to spend than those four above him and he inherited a squad that was no better either. So why is he 1/3 to be the next manager sacked?

Obviously the board have high expectations and the relationship with Grant has deteriorated quite rapidly. Throw in constant media speculation and we end up with the 1/3 price. Is it value? Unlikely. Is it fair? Almost certainly not.