Premier League sack race - Newcastle United boss the front-runner as bookmakers slash price for Eddie Howe to face chop
Newcastle United face Liverpool on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Eddie Howe is the bookmakers’ favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked this season.
Newcastle United have endured a difficult transfer window after losing Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali. Bruno Guimaraes could also leave - pouring more misery on the Magpies.
As for incomings, Newcastle have adopted a youthful strategy, with four arrivals aged 20 or under. Howe guided United to a 12th-placed finish last season and a growing section of supporters publicly called for his sacking.
Newcastle United situation
It is unclear what Newcastle’s aim will be for the upcoming campaign. European football has been the goal for the past few seasons but losing two - possibly three - star players does not bode well.
The Magpies will benefit from only playing one game per week, with Howe struggling to manage the added demands in both Champions League runs. On a positive note, Newcastle remain active in the market and should have bolstered their ranks before the opener against Liverpool.
Eddie Howe favourite to face chop
Howe is now the front-runner to be the first Premier League manager on the chopping block. He is the 10/3 favourite - ahead of Frank Lampard (9/2), Sergej Jakirovic and Oliver Glasner (both 11/2).
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris is a long shot at 18/1. Unsurprisingly, Mikel Arteta - as the reigning Premier League champions - is the least likely (50/1) to be sacked anytime soon.
‘I’m 100 per cent committed’ - Eddie Howe
Speaking to reporters in April, Howe promised he is 100 per cent committed to Newcastle. However, the Toon boss admitted that he would walk if leaving proved the best option for the club.
"For me, nothing has changed,” he said. “I'm 100 per cent committed to the job. That commitment has never wavered from my side. But certainly these seasons we've experienced previously, we're probably ahead of schedule.
“Not all the forces are with us. We're going to have to act really smart and try to out-perform the budget to hit the levels that everyone wants. What do I need? Just that, I need support. Good working relationships with the people around me.
“A feeling of being able to express myself in the best way possible so you see the best version of myself. If I feel that and the club feels that, then they're getting the best manager they can from myself.
“Obviously, if that's not working for whatever reason, on both sides, then it's best for the football club... which is the most important thing in all of this, that is Newcastle United, not me or anybody else, it's Newcastle. I will always reflect that in my decision-making. I will put the club before anybody."