Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
While the festive period is a time of cheer and celebration for most, it is a dreaded stretch of the year for football managers in England’s top flight. Over the years, we have seen far too many managers to name be relieved of their duties around Christmas and New Year’s, and for that reason it has subsequently become somewhat of a notorious sacking season.
Despite not even being halfway through the 2021-22 season, we have already had a large number of gaffers shown the exit door. In fact, over a quarter (six) of Premier League sides have changed the main man in their dugout at this stage of the season in a bid to make them more favourable in the English Premier League betting with Betfair, including Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
With domestic games set to come thick and fast over the next month or so, it seems like only a matter of time before another manager (or two) is added to unemployment line. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the candidates currently leading the way in the sack race.
Despite having a wealth of experience after stints with Liverpool, where he won the Champions League, Chelsea and Real Madrid, Rafa Benitez’s arrival at Goodison Park wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms by the Everton faithful following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti — due of course to his prior allegiances with the red half of Merseyside. And, with the Toffees currently down in 14th with just four wins from 13 games and a mere five points clear of the relegation zone, time is surely ticking on the Spaniard’s days in the northwest of England.
Unfortunately for Ralph Hasenhuttl, his time on the south coast will likely be remembered for not only losing a Premier League game by a whopping nine goals to nil once, but twice as Leicester City and Manchester United both dismantled Southampton in the last couple of years. There have been some memorable moments as he approaches his three-year anniversary at St. Mary’s this month, like when he was reduced to tears after beating Liverpool last season. But all-in-all, we haven’t seen enough improvement from the Saints under the Austrian’s guidance and as they sit dangerously close to the relegation zone, the club’s chiefs could start looking at their options.
Given what Brendan Rodgers has achieved with Leicester since he swapped Celtic Park for the King Power back in 2019, including leading the Foxes to their first FA Cup triumph when they beat Chelsea at Wembley back in May, it is somewhat of a surprise to see the Northern Irishman’s name so high up on this list. However, since the midlands outfit won the Premier League back in 2015-16, their expectations have changed and they are projected to fight for the top four season-after-season. They certainly aren’t out of the running as they sit in 10th, five points adrift of West Ham United. But it hasn’t been the start to the season they expected with just five wins to this point despite often being favoured in the Premier League match predictions.
Only hired by Watford to replace Xisco in October, Claudio Ranieri is already one of the leading names in the sack race. The Tinkerman hasn’t had it easy since reaching the unprecedented heights of winning the Premier League with Leicester, being sacked by the club the following season before short stints with Nantes, Fulham, Roma and Sampdoria. His time at Craven Cottage lasted little more than three months, and despite impressive wins over Everton (5-2) and Manchester United (4-1) since taking over at Vicarage Road, you just never know when the trigger-happy Watford owners are going to give Ranieri the boot.
All good things have to come to an end, and the same unfortunately has to be said for football stadiums too. This article looks at the grounds which are soon to host their last match, the stadiums whose days are numbered and where fans will be watching their football from next.
The 91 biggest football stadiums in Europe. From Manchester to Munich, Villa Park to Valencia - each one with a capacity over 40,000
My daughter's first ever football match - Orlando City v Atlanta United, August 2019. Written for Izzy to read when she gets old enough. Vamos Orlando
Taking my son to his first football match was one of the best experiences I've had as a father so far. I've written this article for Alex to read when he gets older.
